Moarpower

Hi guys. So I am still working on revitalizing my celsior.

in the process I discovered that the leads were the original leads from 1990. The car had under 90k kms on it when I got it.

I'm about to do the timing belt and water pump. Just curious if there would be a way to tell if the belt was the factory original also.

cheers. Like.

ajahearn

Even if the part number was as expected (say there were revisions to the part) even then the best you could tell was that a belt from a specific year manufacturing was used. I believe I ran into a similar issue as you were I could not determine if the timing belt service had been properly done on a older car. I had some service records from the original dealership (Southern California) but even after speaking with them, they were not sure. I had them with the service records they did have because they should have replaced the belt quite a long time ago (this was a actual car driven by an old lay in Pasadena, actually La Jolla but close enough). I could have gotten Lexus corporate involved but I didn't bother since it was already 10 years past.

Since this is an interference motor - change the belt if you are keeping the car any length of time. Otherwise change the belt if you want to treat the next person at least decently. I did and I think you will sleep much better this way.

I hope this helps. Sorry if I gave you the answer you didn't want to hear but this is a great car and deserves decent maintenance. Best of luck.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

If done by a Lexus dealer they (at least for mine x2) put a decal on the engine cover / in the engine bay with the date and mileage the timing belt was changed.

Moarpower

Well this one has no markings at all left on the belt itself, no numbers or codes . Starting to crack on the underside. At 90000 km I bet it's original or a cheap Old aftermarket unit. I'm not selling the car. This is just for my curiosity.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

here is mine, original belt at 130k...cracking but when i removed it i was confident it could survive another 30k. would i drive on it though? absolutely not!

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

keep in mind usually it's the idler or tensioner bearing that fails, taking the belt with it! so if you have high miles, or kms in your case, it's a job that must be done.

Moarpower

Yep. Just ordered the kit along with caps, rotors and leads. First timing belt job I'll be doing myself without help so it will be fun...

Kansas

The OP has a 1990 which does not have an interference engine. No damage will be done if the timing belt breaks. Like others have said, the timing belt itself almost never fails by itself. It is ruined by other components failing. The timing belt on the 1990 LS400 that I bought new was ruined at about 75,000 miles when the water pump seized. No damage was done. After the timing belt, water pump and associated parts were replaced, the car was driven by myself to 183,500 miles and then by a friend to nearly 300,000 miles. I replaced the timing belt and associated parts again at 180,000 miles. I doubt that the friend I sold it to changed it before he sold the car due to the car's minimal value.

Stu

In an LS430, I would be willing to bet a timing belt will last exactly as long as the transmission fluid...... 250,000 miles

Just to be sure I changed both at 120,000 miles, shortly after buying the car ...... now I am sure they will last as long as I own the car !