I have a 2005 rx330 with 217000 miles. I replaced the timing belt at 125000 miles 5 years ago. When should the next replacement be?

 

Lexus recommends 100K miles intervals. I'd say you're due soon. A number of members have noticed that even after 100K their belt looked great but mine at under 80K miles was not in too hot of shape, in my experience age has a greater impact then mileage.

 

Now would be a good time to do so. If you did not replace the waterpump now would be a good time for that as well.

 

I noticed you are from California, to make a long story short my RX330 was from California, it had 137,000 miles....
the timing belt was never changed & was cracked from edge to edge all over the place therefore I suspect weather conditions may have also come into play.
I would recommend changing the timing belt & all related parts ASAP, 90,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first.
In your case, it is definitely time.

 

Note also stick with Aisin Timing belt kit if you are not doing it at a dealer, all parts are OEM built parts.

 

i did mine at 110k, belt and all the other parts.
neighbor changed just the belt and at 180k the tensioner started squeaking

 

I have read some people are also replacing the water pump. Why is there a need to replace the water pump if it is not leaking and it is not broken?

 

Because if it does go after you change the belt, it'll cost you the same labor (or your time) and removal of the parts as having the belt changed, why not change it while you're still there? Although there is a slight chance a new pump can fail, it is very slim compared to keeping your old working pump in tact. Plus, with 100K mile intervals, change the pump, bearings wear out.

But if you have confidence in your pump, power to you. A spark plug change was mission impossible, timing belt is no joke.

 

No point in doing things over again when everything can be done once within the same time frame....
Not only the Timing Belt & Water Pump, might as well replace the related parts as well: Tensioner etc.
I purchased a Gates kit on Amazon for around $125.
4 months later, no issues. , peace of mind for another 85,000 miles.

 

All of the moving parts in a car are subject to wear and tear. So where do you draw the line? I do not think the water pump is even in the maintenance checklist (for replacement) for RX.

 

CL Members are here to help with advice from past repair experiences, costs for parts & save time or $$$$....
It's your vehicle, no one is forcing you to do anything your not comfortable with.

 

Water pump is not on the maintenance checklist because you really can't visually check it. If you see leaks, at that point it's already on its way out. When I got quotes from my Lexus and Toyota dealer (since labor is cheaper at Toyota), both put the water pump into the belt replacement without me asking.

Labor alone through an independent mechanic cost me $500 for the timing belt and my car was out of service for a full day, if it was in the ~$200 range and could be done in 2 hours I would have skipped it.

If time and money are not an issue for you, definitely keep your water pump.

 

Check out this discussion for some insight, Lexuswiz & myself went through the Timing Belt replacement at the same time, not that long ago.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...z-s-rx330.html

 

The water pump gave out at 130K on my 05 330. Lexus told me it should be replaced at 100K and that it is more likely to go than the timing belt. I had both done, the timing belt was frayed, but you can't see that unless its removed. I've read about a lot of variation in life span of timing belts. In the end it is not worth the risk of damaging the engine to let it go.

 

Have to to this soon as I am just over 100k miles... but its a little disappointing that a luxury car like this runs a belt, they should have used a timing chain instead !