RX4UNME

Hello fellow Lexus members! New here... Was wondering if anyone has had their timing chain and water pump replaced on their 2010 RX 350? I’m guessing this year and model does not use belts? Thanks!

salimshah

The chain should not need replacement.

Salim

RX4UNME

Just the water pump? Because I'm reaching 126,000 miles. Thanks!

Clutchless

Why replace the water pump it if it is still working properly? No reason to do preventive maintenance on the water pump on a vehicle with a timing chain. The reason it is done with the timing belt on those vehicles is because of the labor issue and access to the water pump is very easy when replacing the timing belt (the timing cover has to be removed to get to both and all belts removed) and should be done at the same time because the odds are with the amount of miles on the vehicle at that point the water pump is more likely to fail. If you do not replace it at the same time and it fails later the labor cost is about the same as replacing the timing belt again.
Thus it is cheap insurance to replace it along with the timing belt, and usually the belt tensioners and pulleys.
Also access to it on a timing chain vehicle is easier than on a timing belt one. Maybe change your coolant if it was not done at the recommended 100,000 miles, and keep driving....

RX4UNME

I didn’t think of it that way but it makes absolute sense, Thank You!

F250

The only exception to the "chain & pump" or "belt & pump" dual changeout is for engines with direct gearing like my 7.3L diesel. In other words, change both at the same time. As already stated, though, when a chain is involved, the chain repair is rarely needed, so the pump just runs and runs and runs. In my diesel, though, the Ford water pumps just generally don't survive much beyond 150-175K miles. I've changed mine once, and am getting ready to do it again now that I'm nearing the 300K mile mark.

RX4UNME

Thanks for the tip! Much needed, Thank You.

Sandi_k

I have 212K miles on my 2010, and the water pump is showing no signs of leakage or failure yet. I ask them to check it every time the car is in for an oil change, just like they check the thickness of the brake pads...

RX4UNME

bpandkids

not sure if my 2011 RX450h has a timing belt or chain. Does anyone know and if so when to change if it is a belt?

Droid13

It uses a timing chain.

bpandkids

Thanks for the response!