tritri

Well an update of my status after so many years: My 2004 RX330 finally reaching close to 90K miles after another 4 years. I found a reputable independent mechanic(who worked at Lexus dealer before), and paid $1K for all timing belt related stuff. 1. Timing belt. 2. Water pump. 3. cam seal(2) 4. crank seal 5. tensioner roller(2) 6. tensioner 7. drive belt (2) Surprisingly after almost 10 years on the car with 90K miles, all the belt are almost completely NEW, NO ANY CRACKS. Lexus/Toyota really put good stuff on the car, and I will only buy Lexus or Toyota for my future cars. Now I keep my car for anther 5 or 6 years before considering selling!!!!

Got the filter and installed it. It is a pretty good one from Champion laboratories; and it is only 40% of OEM price.

Thanks, I tried several toyota dealers, they don't list that part number, I didn't even ask Lexus dealers since I believe they are very expensive. I took the old cabin filter out and it is super dirty, the glove box is very hard to disengage. I end up special ordering Stp Kleener cable Part Number: CAF7799 from autozone for $14.99, and it will arrive on Wed. Thanks you for all your help.

Thanks for reminding, I have 2WD(FWD), from reading the forum, it doesn't have transfer case and separate differential. I am trying to replace the cabin air filter, and searchin the web now, would you please kind to tell the part number for that? I don't know if these are correct: 87139-06030 or M87139-YZZ05 or M87139-YZZ03.

Hi Guys, I bought a 60k miles 2004 RX330 FWD in Oct for $16000(before tax) ; I don't know what last owner changed except oil change, so I searched and did DIY myselves for as much as possible. Thanks for all the excellent forum here, I got almost all the information I needed for most parts, here is the DIYs I did and I would like to share with you about the part numbers since I see a lot of peope keeps asking them(I am not responsible for accuracy here) 1. I changed the engine air filter: 17801-0H010 $25 2. I changed the coolant: 00272-SLLC2 $13.84*2 3. I changed the Brake Fluid: 00475-1BF03 $4.30*2 4. I changed transmission Fluid: 00279-000T4-01 $5.04*5 transmission Gasket: 90430-18008 $3.74 5. I changed Engine Oil: 00279-1QT5W-01 $2.89*5 Engine filter: 90915-YZZD1 $3.79 Engine oil Gasket 90430-12031 $0.99 6. I changed Power steering Fluid: I didn't use Toyota for this, I used PENNZOIL DEXSON III, two quart bottles $3.89*2 I think I have done all I need to do for maintenance, I will search for Timing Belt and Water Pump change when close to 80k miles.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply, that is really helpful. I live in orange county, and I went to Tustin Lexus, where the former owner did the maintenance. I know there is another "elmore toyota" nearby with special timing belt change for $269, I will ask if they will change Lexus(I know the Lexus is the same 3MZ-FE engine as highlander). I can only do simple fluid change(did transmission/power steering/brake/coolant) for my Corolla before, and I believe I can handle the lexus, too. But I can't really handle the engine job, even a spark plug change, so I will have them done by shop. I will shop around and may wait till 80k miles to do the belt change, my wife drive the car, normally it is only 5k miles a year since she stays home. Thanks a million.

I just bought a 2004 RX330 with 61k miles, and due for 72 month/90k miles service that neeeds timing belt/water pump change, and dealer quoted $1835, I have several questions: 1. Do I need to change timing belt at 72month although it is not 90k miles yet? 2. What if I wait for timing belt to break and then change it? I read on gates.com the 3MZ-FE engine is non-interference engine, but someone tells here it is interference engine, not sure who to trust. Can anyone help? 3. Should I change the water pump with timing belt, it means $500 extra; timing belt only is $1335. 4. Wonder if I could take it to an independpend shop or toyota dealer to change timing belt.