DylanFan

Two weeks ago I purchased a used 2003 Lexus SC430 with 174,000 miles. The Lexus dealer had no record of the timing belt ever having been changes! The Carfax report also has no entry about the timing belt being changed! Is my only option to bite the bullet and have the timing belt, water pump, etc. replaced? Also toe radiator is leaking and needs to be replaced. Does the radiator have to be removed to replace the timing belt? If so there should be to labor charge for the radiator replaced as they should just remove the leaking radiator, replace the timing belt and then install the new radiator. Does that sound correct? I just joined this forum today! Thanks for any help!

Steve

Bgw70

This might help you answer your own questions.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...bws-sc430.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...ement-diy.html

DshngDaryl

I have similar problem with my SC. It has a long service history at the dealer and some other repairs on the Carfax. Since they took such good care of it, it is hard to believe they would skipped the timing belt.

I know some timing belt kits (not necessarily from the Lexus) come with sticker the mechanic affixes to the shroud saying the timing belt was changed at such and such miles. Does Lexus have anything like that?

Poqman

The radiator does not have to come out to replace the timing belt, but the radiator fan does. Once that is done, it's only a few more bolts to get the radiator out. At 174k miles, you need to look at replacing the waterpump and the timing belt idler bearing, tensioner and tensioner bearing.

Lesly1

Looks like there's quite a few of us that didn't acquire receipts, especially for the Timing Belt. My SC belonged to a construction owner who had a fleet of vehicles. The only receipts found was from September last year. I got in touch with the Dealer where the SC was purchased new to get some history, but was told that they didn't keep records after 10 years. I didn't know about the Timing Belt situation at the time. Having said that it runs like a dream, & everything works except for the passenger side headlight squirter.

Chris......From OZ.

DshngDaryl

Does anyone know if the Lexus has a "PEEP HOLE" that a person could visually inspect the belt.

My Ferrari had one, which saved me a ton of money by not having to find out the hard way

Or, is there a cover that is not too hard to take off, that would give us a peak inside?

DshngDaryl

Have you tried the Lexus Drivers sight? It is pretty cool. You put in your VIN number and it gives you the service history if it was done at a Dealer. http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/

DylanFan

It would be hard to believe that my SC430 has been driven for 174,000 miles without the timing belt having been changed! I recently had operations on both knees after a fall on a brick sidewalk so I can barely walk let alone do much work on my 2003 SC430 that I bought two weeks ago. So far I have determined that I have a radiator leak, a stereo system with an Error 3 which I'm told is usually a stuck CD in the player and no way to determine if the timing belt has been changed. My wife wants to drive the SC430 to Florida this winter. We usually spend 3 or 4 months there every winter. We usually drive my wife's Prius V so we will really pack light for the trip. One thing we will have the top up so there will be more room for packing. Anyway, I have found a local mechanic who will buy the parts and replace the timing belt, water pump, etc. and also buy and install a new radiator for a total of less than $1,000. I have not checked but the car was advertised as having new rotors and new brake pads so they should be good. Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions.

DylanFan

Yes, I tried that sight and a lot of information but nothing about the timing belt! I looked all over under the hood but there was no sign of a tag with information about the timing belt. A few years I bought a Lexus RX300 with about 100,000 miles. I then had the timing belt replaced and the mechanic added a tag under the hood that gave the date and mileage of the timing belt change. I worry that there is nothing on this car about a timing belt change in over 174.000 miles!

Bgw70

That is a very good price...
make he does the following

tensioner
tentioner pulley
idler pulley
timing belt
water pump
thermostat
upper and lower hoses
drive belts
radiator

also consider changing the tramission fluid and bleed the brakes unless this has been done already.

one more, install a new cabin air filter.

mandyfig

Timing Belt

Kits can be purchased on Mazon. Aisin makes the OEM kits. In the kit it will have a sticker from Mitsuboshi (belt maker) that you fill up with the mileage and the date and affix to the engine bay.

mandyfig

Like this kit:

mandyfig

You buy the thermostat separately. $25 from mazon as well.

mandyfig

This kit is about $180.

LexMan2003

You really need to get the answer to TWO questions:

1. WAS the timing belt replaced.
2. IF SO, then WHEN was it replaced.

If the timing belt WAS replaced, but at 90k, then you should consider replacing it AGAIN. If it was replaced at 170k, then you're ok. If it has never been replaced, personally I would have it done A S A P !

The manufacturer's recommendation is to replace at 90k. You can extrapolate and assume that it should again be replaced at 180k.