Hey guys. Was going to do some preventative maintance on
our 93 SC300 and have the timing belt and water pump changed
because there is no record of this having been done at the 90K
interval or so.

Well, on the day I went to my mechanic to drop off the car, I
found out he had an accident with an axe and some wood, and
now had only 4 fingers on one of his hands. Needeless to say,
I wasn't going to let him work on my car that day!

In the interm I called yet another out of town Lexus dealer to
get some "inside" info. This time the service guy told me that
the 1993 SC 300s do not have an interference engine. Thus,
the only thing that would happen if the timing belt broke would
be that the engine would die, and I'd have to get the car towed
somewhere.

Well, having this "new" information, and since I see no signs of
leaks or hear no strange sounds, I'm thinking to myself why should I spend $600 if not absolutely necessary. Shoot, I need
a new alarm system and possibly new front leather seats.
Since my wife only drives the car around in metro Atlanta, and
we have towing coverage, its really doesn't seem like a big
risk to me to not do anything.

Does this information about the engine not being an interference engine "jive" with what you guys believe. He said only the engines beginning in 1996 became interference engines.
Looking forward to your serious and not so serious comments.

Markmaz in Atlanta, GA where today its sunny and 78 degrees,
hence the reason I love my Sebring.

 

I was curious about this too, so I dug around a bit on the internet. This page seemed to be the most comprehensive, detailing the difference between the VVT-i engines, and various years and such.

http://www.autoref.com/lexus01.html

However, this page disagrees with the previous one on some points....

http://www.skillcentre.com/lexus.html

Every page I saw showed that the non-VVT-i straight 6s were not interference designs.

Disclaimer: I have no other knowledge than what I found on the web to go by.

 

I was told by the Lexus Service Manager and Parts manager that the motors (both V-6 and V-8 non vvt-i) are "Non benders". Or no inrtereference motors. But they recommended the T-belt be changed no later than 120K miles as a safety precaution. But I guess if you don't mind breaking down in the middle of no where and don't mind footing the towing bill, you could wait. I'm holding out for the 150K mark myself. If I hit 150K; I'm gettin it done reguardless!! Waiting any longer is simply abuse to the car. This car has been so good to me, that it deserves to be taken care of, even if the dealed is gonna dry hump you with the bill.

Keith