Rwal

Good evening everyone,

I just had my local Toyota dealer replace my timing belt and water pump on my 2004 SC 430. At 150,000 I know I was in the danger zone as far as replacing the belt but I sleep and drive a little easier knowing it's done. The dealer did not replace any tensioners and when I asked about them I was told that they were in good condition.

Should I have requested that they be changed? Usually the dealers are not shy about wanting to keep their service department in business.

Bgw70

you certainly should have had them change the tensioner, tensioner pulley and idler pulley because the tensioner will go bad along with the pulley bearings.

I am not trying to feel bad...just giving an opinion that's worth about two cents. It's just easy to replace those parts when you are in there.
i also would have had them replace the drive belts and hoses since they were removed for this job.

the OEM Aisin kit provides all three items.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-2010-LEXUS-SC430-V8-TIMING-BELT-AISIN-WATER-PUMP-HOSE-KIT/401345080954?fits=Make%3ALexus%7CModel%3ASC430&hash=item5d7207ee7a%3Ag%3AkQIAAOSw6YtZPOzf

mandyfig

I had a Lexus Tech do my belt and he was surprised that there was a tensioner included in the kit. He said normally they do not replace it. They just pin it so it can be re-installed. I opted to put in the new one. So, do not feel bad. But yes, they should have replaced it.

sixonemale

I agree that the tensioner, tensioner pulley and idler pulley should have been replaced at the same time as the timing belt and water pump were replaced. If you search this forum, some members swear that it's the failure of pulley that causes the timing belt to fail, not the failure of the timing belt on it's own.

mandyfig

Very good point. The tensioner is the key in keeping the even pressure on all the moving parts.

Bgw70

agreed, if those bearing begin to fail it can tilt and allow the belt to slide off...

RichardMor

I bought my SC from a guy who had been a Lexus/Toyota Service Writer for many years. He said he couldn't remember an OEM belt failing, but had seen tensioners and water pumps (mostly for those who did not have the 90K service done). I find it somewhat bothering that a dealer would forgo replacing components that cost so little and have just as high, if not higher, chance of failure. They do not have to assume any liability, so it's in our own best interest to be as informed as we can and ensure maintenance is thorough. No one has a crystal ball. In this case, I adhere to "better be safe, than sorry".

zajacjoe

I had a bearing go bad on an idler pulley for a timing belt on a Volvo c70 convertible at 105k miles. Luckily it made noise and I discovered the belt was ready to fall off. I fixed it in time.

RichardMor

Joe (is it?) - interesting to hear you had a Volvo C70 and now an SC. We looked at getting a 2009 C70 before buying our 06 SC. How do you compare the two? My thought was the quality reputation of Toyota. Maybe that plays out in the issue you had with the bearing.

thanks
Rich

zajacjoe

Rich...

I do my own work on cars, I've had Volvo's and at high mileage (>125k miles) they need constant attention.
My Toyota's Honda's & Lexus models have had their share of maintenance, but on the whole are more reliable.
The C70 interior fit/finish was also terrible.

Hence my switch to the SC430!

StillLine

Total cost was $960. 2006 SC430 with 62,000 miles. Replaced timing belt, water pump, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, tensioner, thermostat, accessory drive belt and coolant. Labor was $525, parts and coolant was $435. I kept all my business local by purchasing the 3 gallons of premixed coolant at the local Toyota dealership, parts at the local NAPA, and labor at the independent mechanic's shop across the street from the NAPA.

Dink

Just finished my timing belt and water pump replacement on my 2004 with 80,000 miles. Figured since it is 15 years old, its probably due. The belt was in good shape.
Here is my step by step process with photos on how I did it.
Hope it helps,
Dink

MH6878

Good job and thank you for posting!

AleLexus

I wanna say thank you so much for this and if you have any other downloadable documents like this it would be amazing for me. I have a 2003. This should work the same for mine right? This will be the biggest car project that I am willing to try hands on thanks to your description and images I think I really can do this.

GmanSC

Excellent DIY procedure and photos. Saved it for future ref. Thanks.