Hi out there,

I just had my timing belt replaced. I used an independent mechanic that I have been using for 18 years; they specialize in Toyotas.

Since my '02 only has 34k miles on it, I asked them to replace the water pump & serpentine belt only if necessary.

They only replaced the timing belt & added $20 worth of antifreeze. The belt itself cost $49.95.

The total price for the repair came to $294.95.

Jerry Baumchen

 

Impressive. Do you think that's the walk-in price for anybody or does that reflect the 18 year relationship? In any case it's an attractive situation. I don't think I'd find that in my neighborhood.

 

Hi cjs,

Well, that is the question is it not?

I 'think' that the walk-in price would be fairly close to what I paid, though.

Jerry Baumchen

 

That's a very good price. I dropped off my SC at the Lexus dealer today for a new timing belt and water pump, and I'm paying $660- with a coupon (water pump is $240- w/no additional labor charge if I get both done at the same time).

 

i am confused, you replaced your timing belt at 34k miles?

 

6 years or 90 k

 

i have 52k on mine and i haven't changed my timing belt yet

 

My '02 has 38.5K miles..... but age alone has deteriorated the belt and warrants replacement. My water and power steering pumps are also being replaced, as they're both showing corrosion due to age. (Also having the tranny fluid replaced and fuel-injection system flushed.)

 

i finally had mine done. i think the risk of breaking is small. but if it does break, your engine is toast.

you can have it done at toyota. i used to live in vegas and the service department at lexus of las vegas is filled with crooks. very dishonest. i would avoid going there.

 

i would be very careful as to replacing the transmission fluid replaced. The oil in it seals the parts inside your transmission of you drain and replace it those parts may not fit together so well thus if you don't need to do not replace your transmission fluid. I live in vegas so i don't have corrosion on my parts since it's dry out here but i will look at my timing belt to see if there are any cracks.

 

yes i totally agree with that, i've been doing the maintenance myself on my car. it's a lot of fun and i get to know my car well and i learn a lot while doing so. i ordered new foams for my 6x9s while i am replacing those this weekend i'll take a look at the timing belt, there is another Lexus shop in las vegas but i doubt it's going to be any cheaper than the dealership.

 

Hi Alterious,

If it had been the Toyota that I currently own or any of the Toyotas that I have previously owned, I would not have done it. Those are not interference engines.

However, the Lexus 430 engine is an interference engine and I just did not want to take the chance of the belt failing while the engine was running. The costs of that mistake are far more than the ~$300 for the new belt.

YMMV,

JerryBaumchen

 

yeah i hear that but the manual states 90k miles obviously i barely drive my car since i only have 52k miles on it lol. i just replaced the oil, cabin filter, filter and battery but i will look at the timing belt while replacing the foams on my 6x9s this weekend

 

I'm curious how are you going to "look" at the timing belt?

 

I agree. You could make a superficial examination of the rubber condition by removing one of the cam pulley covers, but you sure have to remove a lot of stuff to get to that point. I am fairly sure you couldn't see much of the belt teeth to know if there's significant wear without going deeper. But perhaps a little knowledge is better than zero.