Need Help Changing Timing Belt 2001 Es300

[GrayES300]

HELP!! I tried to change a timing belt for the first time today with no success. I have a 2001 ES300 with 104,000 miles. I have a Haynes manual, but it is not all that helpful. I got the alternator belt off, upper timing cover off, found TDC on #1 cylinder, but then got stuck trying to get the power steering belt off. I loosened the bolt with the slotted bracket, but I don't know which bolt(s) to loosen to get the pump to move and release the tension. It's really difficult to see. I have noticed bolts on the back of the pump and also near the pulley, but which one??? I also got the engine movement control arm off and bracket, but the aluminum bracket that is attached to the engine won't come off. I got the two bolts and two nuts on studs loosened, but it won't slip off. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I can't afford to have a mechanic replace the belt and as you can see by my mileage, I'm due for this work. The good thing is the belt looks to be in excellent condition still so I can wait a little longer before replacing.

[steviej]

remove the right tire and the splash guard behind it. The PS pump is easier to get at this way.

steviej

[GrayES300]

I got the tire off and inner fender. I can see the pump and access to the bolt on the slotted bracket is easy. I just can't see which bolt I am supposed to loosen as well to get the pump to move.

Thanks

[monarch]

You can wait until 120,000 - 130,000 miles or so since you (or the former owner) was obviously mostly a highway driver. Since there are no detailed tutorials on replacing the ES300 V6 timing belt, you might consider practicing the job first on a wrecked V6 that may be available in a local self service auto wrecking yard. Or you could buy a used V6 from the ebay ads and haul it to your garage and use it as a practice engine. Then when you're done with it you could resell it on ebay.

[GrayES300]

You can wait until 120,000 - 130,000 miles or so since you (or the former owner) was obviously mostly a highway driver.  Since there are no detailed tutorials on replacing the ES300 V6 timing belt, you might consider practicing the job first on a wrecked V6 that may be available in a local self service auto wrecking yard.  Or you could buy a used V6 from the ebay ads and haul it to your garage and use it as a practice engine.  Then when you're done with it you could resell it on ebay.

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That's a good thought, but I think my main problem is the fact the engine is in the car and it is very difficult to see what you are doing and where all the bolts are. If the engine was out of the car, I'm pretty confident I could get the power steering pump loose to get the belt off. It was really frustrating getting so far today and having to put it all back together so I could go to work in the morning. You're right on the highway miles too. I commute from Racine, WI to Chicago, IL everyday, which is 150 miles round trip.

[monarch]

Here are two websites that cover the procedure for changing the timing belt on two different Toyota truck V6's. They may help you in some ways with your ES300 V6

http://128.83.80.200/taco/timingbelt.html

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/v6tbelt/

[GrayES300]

Here are two websites that cover the procedure for changing the timing belt on two different Toyota truck V6's.  They may help you in some ways with your ES300 V6

http://128.83.80.200/taco/timingbelt.html

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/v6tbelt/

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Thanks for the links. I wish I had a truck now because it looks like they have a lot more room to work than in my car. I'm pretty comfortable with the whole procedure since the Haynes manual explains that pretty well. What it doesn't do is explain the little differences the Lexus engine has that the Toyota does not. They Haynes manual I have covers Toyota Camry, Solara, Avalon and Lexus ES300. I wish I had the factory repair manual, but I never see them for sale on EBAY and can't afford the $100+ prices other retailers are selling them for. If I could just find out where the power steering bolts are that I have to loosen and how to get the aluminum bracket off, I think I would be OK. Maybe there is someone out there who has replaced their own power steering pump and can give me some direction?

Thanks

[ArmyofOne]

EDIT:

oh haha, you wanted to know which bolt to move, its the one on the front side of the pump. closest to the oil pump. its tucked away you may have to feel around... sorry for the confusion... :)

[hammer008]

http://yotarepair.com/Timingbeltinstructions.html

[pachocco1]

http://techinfo.lexus.com/

24 hours access - $10 - Lexus Factory Manual

Cant be beat!!

Here are two websites that cover the procedure for changing the timing belt on two different Toyota truck V6's.  They may help you in some ways with your ES300 V6

http://128.83.80.200/taco/timingbelt.html

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/v6tbelt/

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Thanks for the links. I wish I had a truck now because it looks like they have a lot more room to work than in my car. I'm pretty comfortable with the whole procedure since the Haynes manual explains that pretty well. What it doesn't do is explain the little differences the Lexus engine has that the Toyota does not. They Haynes manual I have covers Toyota Camry, Solara, Avalon and Lexus ES300. I wish I had the factory repair manual, but I never see them for sale on EBAY and can't afford the $100+ prices other retailers are selling them for. If I could just find out where the power steering bolts are that I have to loosen and how to get the aluminum bracket off, I think I would be OK. Maybe there is someone out there who has replaced their own power steering pump and can give me some direction?

Thanks

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[GrayES300]

EDIT:

oh haha, you wanted to know which bolt to move, its the one on the front side of the pump. closest to the oil pump. its tucked away you may have to feel around... sorry for the confusion... :)

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Thanks for the help! I'm going to try and tackle this again, hopefully in the next two weeks. You guys on this forum really help out. I'll let you know if I am sucessful or have more questions. In the meantime, anyone else who has more helpful info, pics, ect. I would appreciate it.

Thanks again!

[GrayES300]

http://yotarepair.com/Timingbeltinstructions.html

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Great link! These instructions are a lot more detailed than in the Haynes manual.

Thanks!

[GrayES300]

http://techinfo.lexus.com/

24 hours access - $10 - Lexus Factory Manual

Cant be beat!!

Here are two websites that cover the procedure for changing the timing belt on two different Toyota truck V6's.  They may help you in some ways with your ES300 V6

http://128.83.80.200/taco/timingbelt.html

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/v6tbelt/

←

Thanks for the links. I wish I had a truck now because it looks like they have a lot more room to work than in my car. I'm pretty comfortable with the whole procedure since the Haynes manual explains that pretty well. What it doesn't do is explain the little differences the Lexus engine has that the Toyota does not. They Haynes manual I have covers Toyota Camry, Solara, Avalon and Lexus ES300. I wish I had the factory repair manual, but I never see them for sale on EBAY and can't afford the $100+ prices other retailers are selling them for. If I could just find out where the power steering bolts are that I have to loosen and how to get the aluminum bracket off, I think I would be OK. Maybe there is someone out there who has replaced their own power steering pump and can give me some direction?

Thanks

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I didn't even know this existed! I will definately bookmark it. Thanks for the help!

[GrayES300]

Anyone have an idea why the aluminum bracket won't come off the engine? It connects to the black bracket that connects to the engine movement control arm. I loosened two bolts and removed two nuts on studs. The bracket moves around so I am pretty sure I got all the fasteners, but it won't slide off. Am I just being too gentle or could something be blocking it?

If you go to http://yotarepair.com/1FZ-ME_timingbelt.html you will see the RH Engine Mounting Bracket. That is what I can't get off the engine. In the picture, there is a stud sticking out off of it. My car has an aluminum block attached to this that turns a little. Can I yank this off the bracket? I'm sure I'm not describing this all that well, but hopefully you know what I'm talking about. Any ideas?

Thanks!