Do you need any special tools to change the belt? My friend offered to replace the timing belt for $200.

 

Anyone ... Is the torque wrench required?

 

Just had the timing belt and water pump (plus other parts including spark plugs) replaced this weekend on my 12 year old, 98k mile LS430. To echo what others have said, one cannot really figure out how "worn" the timing belt is using the naked eye. But the belt had no obvious signs of cracking or any exposed "threads." The "CAM" markings on the belt were visible, but faded. Have to accept this was preventative and potentially headed off thousands of dollars of damage. I do think I will wait longer on the next belt change, however - maybe 220k.

So, to put that in context - timing belt was 12 years old, 98k miles. I am the second owner of this car which was mostly garaged for its first 63k miles (was 9 years old). I have had it since then in Northern Virginia road/weather conditions.

Paid my mechanic $500 for the work (he has to pay $200 to his shop). An experienced mechanic is able to plow through this work in a few hours.

Looking forward to another 100k miles on this car. I have to agree with other posters on the build quality of this car.

 

I got my timing belt kit in the mail last week. So far I have the timing belt, water pump, pulleys, and tensioners. Is there anything else besides all of that and spark plugs that needs to be changed?

 

every other timing belt change, (i.e. 2nd, 4th, etc.) I like to do the cam and crank seals since you are already doing 95% of the labor anyway, and those seals are dirt cheap from the dealership.

here is a video of a pretty decent home mechanic doing his first timing belt job and it is on an LS430!

except for his failure to use a torque wrench while putting things back together, I would say he did a fine job

 

Bought my 04 LS430 with 99k at which time i requested a timing belt change before purchase. I currently have 192k on the car and havent replace it since then and I drive this car like I stole it!!!!. I will search forums for hours in the coming weeks to see if i can do it myself. Im broke just got married last week!!!!!! Final thought you're good, well over 90k my dude.

 

im about to get mine done, do you know the part number for the pulleys, i see

idler pulley 1 166030w030 and idler pulley 2 166040f010.

thanks

 

Buy the OEM kit (includes tb, Koyo tensioner bearing, Koyo idler bearing, Aisin water pump, water pump gasket, 2-o-rings and hydraulic tensioner)

Aisin kit #KTK-021. (search the internet)

I paid $155.00 for the kit on Amazon and, since I have a prime Amazon account, shipping was free.
(I checked Amazon today and the kit I bought has increased to $209.00---the $155.00 I paid was the cheapest I have seen anywhere)

I'm, also, having the following replaced (all OEM):
thermostat 90916-3100
thermostat gasket 16346-50010
thermostat o-ring 96761-35035
Drive belt (serpentine) 90916-02586

Sewell Lexus is a sponsor of these forums and, if you go to
Sewell Parts and register then, when you sign in, using your Lexus forum ID, all the parts will be discounted. For instance, the OEM drive belt was, with discount, $39.00. Cheaper than any other I found. You will have to pay shipping.

 

I own a 2001 LS430. It is my fourth 430. I put a lot of miles on this one fairly quickly. At 180,000 miles I replaced the timing belt. Because of the high mileage, it wouldn't be worth much in a sale, so I kept driving it. I tried not to spend anymore than I had to because I assumed it would be DOA at any time. When I bought tires, I typically didn't get the best quality, again, because I figured it was on its last legs. Suffice to say, I have continued to buy new tires. It didn't drive like it was on its last legs, so I kept jamming on the miles. When I got to 300,000, I skipped the timing belt because of the miles and because I knew the last one had gone for 180,000 with no problem. Now the damn car is at 393,000 miles. I haven't even been changing the oil at regular intervals. I can't kill this car! Besides, at this point, I was on a mission to get to 400,000 miles. Unfortunately, when doing a recent brake job, my mechanic noticed that the the left rear portion of the unibody frame was badly rusted and about to fail. He told me the car was toast, but another mechanic said that portion of the rear frame was replaceable for about $1700. LIke the fool I guess I am, I decided to have it fixed, if for no other reason than to say I got it to 400,000 miles. Now my dilemma is the timing belt replacement, which is 213,000 miles from its last change. Got to think about this. Maybe I am just lucky or maybe the likelihood of timing belt failure, is, in fact, way overblown. On the other hand, I would hate to have spent the $1700 and then have it snap on me next week. Think I'll write a letter to Lexus complaining about why they can't make a car that can go 400,000 miles. Just kidding. If I get to 400,000, I will have no choice but to shoot for 500k. These are the finest of cars ... the finest, even if you abuse them.

 

Your are a brave man TFB. That's awesome that you are at nearly 400,000 miles. The 400 and the 430 are in my opinion the most reliable cars ever made. I assume you do tons of highway miles, which is easier on the engine. How about the transmission? Have you been servicing it with new fluid?

 

That's kinda funny, reminds me of my first Honda , a 92 accord, total rust bucket, high mileage, it had oil leaks, overheating problems, and I eventually started driving it with no oil and coolant, and it wouldn't die. It became a game seeing how far it would go.

It started stalling one time so I thought it was done, my mechanic said wait, its only a ignitor... a quick $50 and I was back cruising along, no oil no coolant lol

Eventually gave it away for scrap cause I needed the parking space, it was still running.

Back on topic, many guys have ran their sc400's or ls400's to 300 000 miles + on the original belt, I think its partly a cash grab from the dealers, its an easy shake down, that's why they charge so much for it.

It is not exposed to the elements, its completely covered from rain, salt , debris, id wait until you need a tune up, or some kind of engine work, gaskets , seals etc.. and then do it all at once.

 

It's not just the timing belt that you have to consider, but also the idler and tensioner bearings, as well as hydraulic tensioner, any of which could fail. While the belt may be fine, if it jumps a few teeth due to failure of any one of these other parts, oh well ...

 

I found a local mechanic who quoted me $715 with OEM parts. I'll let you all know how it goes and recommend him if it works out.

 

Where are you located in Illinois?

 

I'm in Des Plaines but the mechanic works out of his house in Antioch which is just south of the Wisconsin border.

I was told that he is an ex Lexus certified tech and has a lift/shop setup in a separate garage on his property.