webster2001 Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 I just purchases a 1996 Lexus ES300. THe person I bought is from, one of those rare nice old men that takes care of a car, told me the car did not have a timing belt. Since I have owned many V6 toyota's, I have never heard of this, mine have Have always had a timing belt. Here is where the conflicting information comes in: Two Indi shops: One says timing belt, the other says timing chain!?!? Lexus Dealer Atlanta - Says timing belt BIrmingham - Says no timing belt Owners Maint Schedule: Only refers to timing belt changes for SC/LS 400 Can any one please shed some light? car has 121k ***TICKING TIMEBOMB***??? Used to have a Volvo, when a T-Belt goes on those...things start flying through the engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blake918 Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 Welcome to the club Webster :D ! What color is your '96...any pics?? Steer clear of the Lexus dealer in Birmingham because the guy you talked to must be brain dead if he said you don't have a timing belt! Your '96 most definantly HAS a timing belt. Stand beside your passenger side fender, and you'll see a black cover that says 1MZFE, and behind that cover is the timing belt...heck their might even be a sticker that says when it was last changed. Lexus recommends changing it at 60k or 90k I can't remember, but some people have made it to 120k. When/if the belt pops, your car will probably just breakdown because our 3.0's without VVT-i are non interference engines. Look to pay $500-$1000 to get the belt, tensioners, and water pump replaced. My Lexus dealer quoted me $850 to replace those three things, and my neighborhood Toyota dealer told me $215 to replace the belt only...not too bad! Always check with a local Toyota dealer because they are usually cheaper; just tell them that you have an ES that has the same eng and tranny as the V6 Camry(they don't always know this). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 you have a belt change at about 100 000 km always change the water pump with the belt it is a couple of bucks more for labour and thermostat every other t belt change guess how i know to change my pump everytime mine blew 20 000 km after the belt was changed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webster2001 Posted February 1, 2004 Author Share Posted February 1, 2004 Thanks for the information. I am taking this care to the indi guy that said the car had a belt. They have a good rep in Atlanta fromt he people I have talked too. Again thanks from the help and I will have a pic up soon when I do a couple of cosmetic mods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPI Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 All lexus vehicles use belt. JPI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.