Interference Tbelt? On Es300?

[IlyaIlya]

hey i m just wondering if 97 es300 has interference engine

so if the tbelt snaps will it kill the motor?

i fount this site, but its a a little unclear, http://skillcentre.com/lexus.html

maybe up to 97 is still fine, but after 97 it is intererence

thanx

[amf1932]

The '97ES had a non-interference engine which means that if the timing belt breaks you won't destroy the engine.

Starting with the '98ES they switched to a VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) engine. If the timing belt breaks on this type of engine, kiss it goodbye. ;)

[IlyaIlya]

thanx a lot for info, my friend got 99 with 160k and he did not change belt, i should persuade him to do so ; ) hehe

is that new 98+ engine that much better then the 97

cause i m looking for a 97 cause thats the only one i have a chance of affording

thanx

[amf1932]

I'm sure you'd be very happy with a pre '98ES. I had a '94ES and it was the best car I owned! :D

[IlyaIlya]

well i dont want to get a really old one, i wanted 96 but 97 looks better,

i see a 93 for sale fairly priced, but car is MAD old , i think newer is nicer

i m also looking at a 2000 maxima, how would u guys compare it to lexus

pre 2000 maxima is not conforable to me

es300 was great when i drove it though

[m2pc]

Darn,

for some reason, I thought the 98 es was also a non-interference :o

[steviej]

for some reason, I thought the 98 es was also a non-interference

As did I.

I thought VVT-i wasn't introduced until the 99 model year.

Either way, look at the plenum cover, it should say VVT-i on it if there.

steviej