Which Ever Comes First

[junn]

Hi,

I just have my LS400 96 model with 67000 miles serviced by the dealer . They told me to have my timing belt replace price $1500,the reason they gave me that it is aged, What does it mean ?. Do ihave to replace it because the car is 9 yaers old or should i wait for 75000 or 90000 service , which ever comes first. What is the average dealer price to replace timing belt and water pump?. Can this be done by other shop. I need your input.

Thanks,

Jun

[silvermate]

i've heard of LS's going 200K w/o tb change, i wouldn't reccomend that, but it happens, it is one of the major maintence items on our cars, that has to be done.

if you have the funds go ahead and do it, sooner or later its gonna have to be done, 67K is a littl early IMO but its def. the best major preventitave maintenance you can do to you LS....... but of course the dealer is gonna tell u every little thing that needs to be fixed, to reem you outta money, and more than half the maintenence you can DIY. so take that into consideration.

just take the covers off and inspect the belt, see what kinda condition the belt is in. check for fraying, cracks, and overall wear, usually they stand up pretty good, and are in relatively good shape after miles and miles of driving, its much more ridged than say a serp. belt.

don't take it to the stealer, find yourself a good reputable certified independant Lexus mechanic to do it, that alone will shave 100's of the cost of the procedure

[GRAND_LS 4]

i've heard of LS's going 200K w/o tb change, i wouldn't reccomend that, but it happens, it is one of the major maintence items on our cars, that has to be done.

if you have the funds go ahead and do it, sooner or later its gonna have to be done, 67K is a littl early IMO but its def. the best major preventitave maintenance you can do to you LS....... but of course the dealer is gonna tell u every little thing that needs to be fixed, to reem you outta money, and more than half the maintenence you can DIY. so take that into consideration.

just take the covers off and inspect the belt, see what kinda condition the belt is in. check for fraying, cracks, and overall wear, usually they stand up pretty good, and are in relatively good shape after miles and miles of driving, its much more ridged than say a serp. belt.

don't take it to the stealer, find yourself a good reputable certified independant Lexus mechanic to do it, that alone will shave 100's of the cost of the procedure

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I would run away, and never return to that dealership again. Wait till 90K. Save your money.

[blake918]

Silver is right on! I replaced my timing belt at 233k(at 246.6 now). I was approaching 120k on the belt, so we replaced it and the water pump, pulleys, and tensioner. I was quite disappointed to see the belt when we took it out. It looked wonderful. It could have gone atleast 30-50k more.

A good, independant Lexus specialist can do the job for about $800, but the $1500 from the dealer is what they told me also. Also, have them replace the cam and crank seals while they are in there. It's a good preventative measure since you will probably develop a leak there at some point. The mechanic/dealer has to tear down the front of the engine to get to those cam can crank seals, so you may as well have them do it while they are in there.

[VBdenny]

I'd also mark it some way with a sharpie JUST to make sure they actually change the belt. They might look at it and saw ahhhhh that looks okay "let's roll it"

[RFeldes]

At least 90k. Much too young, and low mileage. My 1990 will have a replacement at 90k in about 3 months if that gives you any idea. Your owners manual should be your guide and I don't believe it refers to age, only mileage. If I were you, I would not let that dealer tear down my car. Some people on this forum are well aware of dealer income/bottom line on maintenance and maybe some will chime in.

[ebridges]

My 91 LS (on the road since 9/90 ) had about 90,000 when I replaced it about 6 mos ago. It looked super good. Car had been near Dallas, TX most of those 13 + years. Apparently, very good belts :-)

[jadecuir]

I just replaced my belt @ 269,000 mi(on car) and 93,000 on belt. The water pump was weeping, so that was the overlying issue. The belt looked great, and the roller bearings looked and felt fine. Tensioner was A-OK. I had bought rollers already, so I put them in. I would not change the belt until the water pump goes south, IMHO.

[SW03ES]

Those belts can get weathered by age and die out before their specified mileage time, but like others have said they're good belts and usually can last way beyond their specified service life.

I'd get a second opinion from a secondary independent mechanic, let him know that you're shopping around for a good honest person to service all your vehicles (you have many, get my drift?) from now on and you'd appreciate an honest response.

[Shadow]

Opinions varied greatly as to when to change the timing belt, but most would agree, including me, that 67K is too young to change. Save your money for another day.

[vincentesq]

67k miles is WAYYYYYYY too early. My 92 LS400 did not get it until it was 90k and it was almost new. You are in S. CA and should be able to fine a lot of qualified mechanics to do it for about $800 or even less. I had a 1994 nsx which had 37k miles on it. I sold it to my brother, who, against my advice, had the major service done, which included the timing belt change. We got the belt back for inspection and it was pristine! This is an 11 year old sport car that was driven HARD, albeit, only 37k miles. I would wait until 90k or more to even think about doing it.

[99lsguy]

I'd also mark it some way with a sharpie JUST to make sure they actually change the belt.  They might look at it and saw  ahhhhh that looks okay "let's roll it"

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Denny,

you think like I do..........never trust em--------that's a great Idea!!

Like others have already said; I think you're a couple years away from the TB change too................