AutoCheck Vs. CarFax (1 Viewer)

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67FASTBACKFAN

67FASTBACKFAN

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Jul 7, 2012
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I bought my 01 LX last Saturday and I've been doing all the DIY's over the week. Transfer case, Diffs, TB Cleaning, MAF Cleaning etc. Now I've come to the Timing Belt/Water Pump DIY. I'm 95% sure I could DIY it, but I think I'll leave this one up to a shop which leads me to my question.

My LX has 153k miles and it came with a clean AutoCheck from the dealer I bought it from. All that showed up on the AutoCheck were Passed Emission Tests and Registration Updates. Does anyone know if a CarFax report would show more information than that?

The reason that I'm asking is because on my last vehicle, I pulled a CarFax for it and it showed a lot more services: belts, tires, alignments, etc. I know that the reports only show what has been reported to them. I just wanted to know if the Carfax might tell more than the AutoCheck.

If a Carfax showed more info, I'm hoping it would list that the timing belt and water pump have already been replaced. If they have, I would much rather spend $40 on a CarFax over $1000 to replace what has already been replaced.

It "appears" that the drive belt has been replaced at some point. I haven't really checked to see a manufacturer to see if its aftermarket, but it does not have any cracks which makes me think it was replaced at 100k.

If I can't find any information on the TB/WP and I end up doing it, does anyone have suggestions for services while doing the TB/WP service? I've read about doing some seals along with it?

Thanks!
 
Welcome!

And https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home for lexus owners. Same deal though.

As far as determining if TB job was done, there are a few threads on the topic.
1) Check the links above for Toyota/Lexus owners
2) you can also check with the dealer to get even more complete information
3) you can look for the TB Sticker that is typically stuck somewhere in the engine bay after the job has been done. See here for examples of what it looks like and where to find it:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/478960-signs-90k-mile-service.html
4) you can either look yourself or ask a mechanic to check for signs that it was replaced:
(for example that's discussed here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...-cover-easiest-get-off-timing-belt-check.html)

I'm sure you can find more elsewhere about autocheck vs. carfax, just realize neither is complete... (looks like Mr. usedcarinspections posted more on this topic as I was writing my post).

As far as the TB Job, there are some really good writeups in the FAQ section and the topic of what to do while you're in there is covered in many threads as well (probably including those).
 
67FASTBACKFAN said:
Wish that worked. Does not work for Lexus vehicles
Click to expand...
hhmm... didn't see that you had an LX. But since I read your sig line, and noticed that you really want to make your LX a LC anyway, you should sell your LX and get the LC. Problem solved. Next? :lol::lol::lol:

or you could use the link in the post above...
 
agaisin said:
Welcome!

And https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home for lexus owners. Same deal though.

As far as determining if TB job was done, there are a few threads on the topic.
1) Check the links above for Toyota/Lexus owners
2) you can also check with the dealer to get even more complete information
3) you can look for the TB Sticker that is typically stuck somewhere in the engine bay after the job has been done. See here for examples of what it looks like and where to find it:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/478960-signs-90k-mile-service.html
4) you can either look yourself or ask a mechanic to check for signs that it was replaced:
(for example that's discussed here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...-cover-easiest-get-off-timing-belt-check.html)

I'm sure you can find more elsewhere about autocheck vs. carfax, just realize neither is complete... (looks like Mr. usedcarinspections posted more on this topic as I was writing my post).

As far as the TB Job, there are some really good writeups in the FAQ section and the topic of what to do while you're in there is covered in many threads as well (probably including those).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info
 
The Lexus site gave me all detailed info up until 2005 @ 50k miles. No luck there, but good to have all the first 50k records.
 
That would indicate that all service after 50K was not done at a Lexus dealer.
 
Carfax, AutoCheck, and dealer records did not indicate the timing belt was done on my truck, but the engine has a dealer style timing belt replacement sticker. Not sure where it was done, but it wasn't reported to the Toyota DB. I'd say look for any indication a sticker may have been present, and/or check for marring of the timing cover bolt heads as indication they have been removed.
 
I just compared the Car Fax to the Toyota site for my recent 2000 LC purchase and the Car Fax listed several dealer services since new and the Toyota site only listed the last two that were done before the dealer got it back for resale. That's weird.

I also noticed that for the most part only "electrical" services are listed, most within a few years of being new, (New radio in 2003, etc.) so I have to assume the oil changes, etc. were done at an independent shop.

FWIW I noticed in my search for my LC that Autocheck listed registration and smog, but Car Fax tends to have more detail on service dates and items. I bought the monthly Auto check subscription and it did help weed out wrecks and rust belt vehicles.
 
At 153k your either good or way overdue. Pull a cover back and check the TB cond. If its shiny its most likely old and due for a change.
 
Current state of the TB:

20120718_151409.jpg


20120718_151533.jpg


20120718_151451.jpg
 
Its def an OEM Toyota belt. Just not sure if its the original. At least I know that its in good condition
 
67FASTBACKFAN said:
Any thoughts on current condition?
Click to expand...
I'm no expert, that's for sure, but if I was in your shoes I'd rock it for another 25K miles and start fresh at the 180K mark. Of course, if you have cash burnin' a hole in your pocket, do it now and sleep better at night, but failures on these are pretty rare. Not sure a visual is goiing to give you a "take-it-to-the-bank" assessment of proximity to falure, but I don't see anything there that would make me run out and spend >$1,000. Advice worth what you paid for it... :meh::lol:
 
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