I have a '99 LS400 with 89,000 miles that runs great. I have maintained all the service milestones, but I was a little taken aback with the 90K recommendations. Do I really need to change the timing belt and water pump prophylactically??? There is no problem at this time. The service manager says if the timing belt goes it will severely damage the engine?? I love the car, but if I have to start dropping large amounts of maintenance cash into the car, my love affair will die. Please advise.

 

hi there im mike owner of 3 cars one is lexus 1991 and nothing was ever done to it but the spark plugs and normal stuff so tell me how often u drive and things ur car goes through

 

no need

 

I found a dealership in Wilmington DE that changed the belt for $900, so I had the wrok done.

 

yes you need to change your belt at 90k miles. the engine is considered an interferance motor and if the belt breaks you are looking at a large repair item. a new belt might at extra stress to the timing belt idlers and water pump bearings, so if you decide to go cheap and only change the belt you might be back in there paying the same labor again within a year because of another part failure. good luck and choose wisely

 

Evanob,

There2 ways to handle this ( All have got Pro and Cons)and I guess that it will depend on how long you plan to keep your '99 LS ......... First , do Nothing and your Lexus will proably give you another 90,000 miles with no problems , doing normal PM ( Preventive Maintenance), then you sell it for parts and get your New Lexus ( Pro). ( Con) next week the Timing Belt Blows and you need a new engine, you sell it for Parts and buy your new Lexus, Sooner!!!!!Number 2, You get the Belt change and water pump done ............ (pro) you get 100,000 ( With normal PM) more miles out of your LS and then Sell it/Trade it ( and since the Belt and water pump have been change you get $$$$$$$$!!!!). ( Con) There is none for this option. Changing the Belt and Pump will add Resale value to your '99 LS. With option 2 this will proably be the Last Big Service you need to do on the '99 LS ........... IMO it's worth the money to do.........

Let me hear what your thinking about ............[sm=type.gif]

Ultimately it is your decission and your $$$$$$

 

so what did you get done for $900 out of curiosity?

 

Sounds too expensive, maybe you don't need to do it right now.

 

900 sounds like a belt only, the water pump will add another 150 in parts and the idlers are 100 bucks. An independent mechanic can do it alot cheaper. You need to get the belt changed before the thing breaks. an interference motor (after 95 i think) means that the pistons will hit the open valves if the timing is not correct or if it fails, that is big bucks. IUZFE was a non interference (1st gen LS) and if it broke, the motor just died, no damage to the motor. Belts have gone 180k without breaking and they have gone less than 90k too, so it is necessary.

 

I had my '95 LS 400 timing belt - water pump changed at 90,000, the cost was around $1,200.00. My dealer recommends changing the belt at 120,000. Since i just purchased the car I wanted it completely checked over and the serviced done. Love the car