Timing chain problem
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: Romania
Timing chain problem
I have a 2010 Lexus RX450H with 210K km on board. Bought the car as second hand with 180K km couple of years ago. Car had been serviced in Lexus authorized dealer, so all services were done properly. Myself I change oil and filters every 10K km.
Couple of weeks ago I saw the check engine light on. I went to the Lexus authorized repair center where I normally take the car for service, they put the testers and they found out that there is problem with timing chain and it needs to be replaced. I have noticed that engine sometimes makes some rattling noises when it starts but it doesn't do it often though. The guys there reset the check engine light and is off now.
My questions are:
1. Is it normal such problem to appear in a Lexus and in one that has been serviced properly?
2. How urgent might be to replace the timing chain? Can the car still run for a couple of months or I might cause bigger problem to the engine? Repair is pretty expensive, around 2.5K Euro where I live.
Couple of weeks ago I saw the check engine light on. I went to the Lexus authorized repair center where I normally take the car for service, they put the testers and they found out that there is problem with timing chain and it needs to be replaced. I have noticed that engine sometimes makes some rattling noises when it starts but it doesn't do it often though. The guys there reset the check engine light and is off now.
My questions are:
1. Is it normal such problem to appear in a Lexus and in one that has been serviced properly?
2. How urgent might be to replace the timing chain? Can the car still run for a couple of months or I might cause bigger problem to the engine? Repair is pretty expensive, around 2.5K Euro where I live.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,148
Likes: 1,711
From: VA
I agree with RX in NC. Nobody else here has had a timing chain issue. The start up rattle is not uncommon on these vehicles and many have complained about it but it will not affect the life of the engine.
Get a second opinion. Find exactly what code came up when they scanned it to see what caused the check engine light to appear. Let us know what that said.
These engines are very common in many different Toyota and Lexus vehicles. You do not need to go to the dealer for repairs. They often lie and recommend repairs that are not needed because the service writers work on commission and often recommend repairs that cost more than the car is worth. You need an independent shop, especially one that works on a lot of Toyotas. I doubt there is anything wrong with the timing chain.
Get a second opinion. Find exactly what code came up when they scanned it to see what caused the check engine light to appear. Let us know what that said.
These engines are very common in many different Toyota and Lexus vehicles. You do not need to go to the dealer for repairs. They often lie and recommend repairs that are not needed because the service writers work on commission and often recommend repairs that cost more than the car is worth. You need an independent shop, especially one that works on a lot of Toyotas. I doubt there is anything wrong with the timing chain.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 833
Likes: 81
From: Nukewastedump
That morning first start rattle could easily be the vvt system. A well known issue that is more "cosmetic" from an auditory standpoint than of any true concern. Lots of youtube vids on that.
agree with others....get a second opinion. I have not seen anyone posting about a timing chain issue.
agree with others....get a second opinion. I have not seen anyone posting about a timing chain issue.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 351
From: Atlanta, Georgia
I have a 2010 Lexus RX450H with 210K km on board. Bought the car as second hand with 180K km couple of years ago. Car had been serviced in Lexus authorized dealer, so all services were done properly. Myself I change oil and filters every 10K km.
Couple of weeks ago I saw the check engine light on. I went to the Lexus authorized repair center where I normally take the car for service, they put the testers and they found out that there is problem with timing chain and it needs to be replaced. I have noticed that engine sometimes makes some rattling noises when it starts but it doesn't do it often though. The guys there reset the check engine light and is off now.
My questions are:
1. Is it normal such problem to appear in a Lexus and in one that has been serviced properly?
2. How urgent might be to replace the timing chain? Can the car still run for a couple of months or I might cause bigger problem to the engine? Repair is pretty expensive, around 2.5K Euro where I live.
Couple of weeks ago I saw the check engine light on. I went to the Lexus authorized repair center where I normally take the car for service, they put the testers and they found out that there is problem with timing chain and it needs to be replaced. I have noticed that engine sometimes makes some rattling noises when it starts but it doesn't do it often though. The guys there reset the check engine light and is off now.
My questions are:
1. Is it normal such problem to appear in a Lexus and in one that has been serviced properly?
2. How urgent might be to replace the timing chain? Can the car still run for a couple of months or I might cause bigger problem to the engine? Repair is pretty expensive, around 2.5K Euro where I live.
A bad timing chain can ruin the entire engine if the chain jump a tooth on the timing sprocket; especially at higher rpms. So fix the issue ASAP.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,533
Likes: 1,379
From: Austin, TX
Probability is a good science, but it also is a science of odds. Decisions should be based on expert opinion [which can be inaccurate too]. Then you need to look at the consequence of failing to ignore a given advice. At idle, you will have minimum [can still be high] but at high rpms and load the result can be catastrophic.
[Speculation] I seriously doubt that the conclusion from the shop is based on actually examining the chain and the train [any one or multiple things can be bad]. It most likely is based on timing of the cams information and sounds.
You can try second opinion but then your mind will keep you restless as which of the two different opinions is right [risk/cost/trust will be at play].
At the end I would say nothing lasts for ever. All mechanical things wear out. Although Lexus/Toyota use good engineering practice to select parts, but once in a while the part can be an outlier on the short life span. If I am not mistaken you are around 3x the warrantee milage.
Salim
[Speculation] I seriously doubt that the conclusion from the shop is based on actually examining the chain and the train [any one or multiple things can be bad]. It most likely is based on timing of the cams information and sounds.
You can try second opinion but then your mind will keep you restless as which of the two different opinions is right [risk/cost/trust will be at play].
At the end I would say nothing lasts for ever. All mechanical things wear out. Although Lexus/Toyota use good engineering practice to select parts, but once in a while the part can be an outlier on the short life span. If I am not mistaken you are around 3x the warrantee milage.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; Nov 23, 2022 at 10:54 AM. Reason: belt -> chain
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: Romania
Probability is a good science, but it also is a science of odds. Decisions should be based on expert opinion [which can be inaccurate too]. Then you need to look at the consequence of failing to ignore a given advice. At idle, you will have minimum [can still be high] but at high rpms and load the result can be catastrophic.
[Speculation] I seriously doubt that the conclusion from the shop is based on actually examining the belt and the train [any one or multiple things can be bad]. It most likely is based on timing of the cams information and sounds.
You can try second opinion but then your mind will keep you restless as which of the two different opinions is right [risk/cost/trust will be at play].
At the end I would say nothing lasts for ever. All mechanical things wear out. Although Lexus/Toyota use good engineering practice to select parts, but once in a while the part can be an outlier on the short life span. If I am not mistaken you are around 3x the warrantee milage.
Salim
[Speculation] I seriously doubt that the conclusion from the shop is based on actually examining the belt and the train [any one or multiple things can be bad]. It most likely is based on timing of the cams information and sounds.
You can try second opinion but then your mind will keep you restless as which of the two different opinions is right [risk/cost/trust will be at play].
At the end I would say nothing lasts for ever. All mechanical things wear out. Although Lexus/Toyota use good engineering practice to select parts, but once in a while the part can be an outlier on the short life span. If I am not mistaken you are around 3x the warrantee milage.
Salim
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Likes: 37
From: CA
For what it's worth, my old Gen 2 RX400h Hybrid that I just sold also had bad timing chain and high mileage. Cost $900 to repair. Later on it developed hybrid motor issues and the check engine light would come on intermittently. I drove like an old lady and never abused the car, so I'm thinking the problem might be specific to the hybrid RX's.
One day, the engine overheated while cruising on the freeway, leaving me stranded in a bad part of town. I quickly sold the RX400h and bought a newer Non-Hybrid RX for a peace of mind. The savings in gas don't justify the high cost of repairs when (not if) the hybrid parts do go bad.
One day, the engine overheated while cruising on the freeway, leaving me stranded in a bad part of town. I quickly sold the RX400h and bought a newer Non-Hybrid RX for a peace of mind. The savings in gas don't justify the high cost of repairs when (not if) the hybrid parts do go bad.
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Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: Romania
So the problem was finally related to the catalytic converter. The engine light appears sporadically and switches off by itself in a few days. Timing chain was checked, no problem at all with it.
Still an expensive repair though, about half the price of distribution system.
Still an expensive repair though, about half the price of distribution system.
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