Gs 300 3.0 2j2-ge Engine Timing Belt/water Pump ?s

[terry s]

My son just bought a 2001 GS 300 with the 3.0 2J2-GE engine. I need to replace the timing belt as it has 100,000 miles on it.

Does Lexus recomend replacing the timing belt tensioner always or only if the old is bad?

If they do not recomend always replacing it how do you test it to see if the old one is bad?

Also can the water pump be replaced without removing the timing belt.

From the pictures I see that part of the water pump is under the timing belt but I can't tell if you can get the pump off without removing the timing belt.

Thanks.