Is there a timing belt inspection cover?

[Snowrydr01]

Looking at an lx470 tonight. The flipper swears that the auction he bought it from stated that it was done at 150k miles (12k ago) and i dont see it coming up on the lexus history. I am going to call the toyota dealership associated with that dealer group but I am not optimistic.

Im hoping there is an inspection cover or something since it would be pretty obvious if it was the new belt vs one thats 10k old.

 

[unklwedy]

Take old belt out and compare with new belt for stretch. recommend new belt for peace of mind.

 

[jahawk]

You can pull off the driver's side cover fairly quickly. It's 4-6 bolts and easy to get to.

Jim

 

[Snowrydr01]

Take old belt out and compare with new belt for stretch. recommend new belt for peace of mind.

not sure i can do that in work clothes in the dealer parking lot before buying

 

[Snowrydr01]

You can pull off the driver's side cover fairly quickly. It's 4-6 bolts and easy to get to.

Jim

so engine cover off, 4-6 bolts around a dust shield to pull back and see?

 

[jahawk]

It's actually the cam gear cover on the front of the head, but yes a 4-6 bolts to remove it. You might be able to remove a couple and pull it back to see the belt.

 

[78f150tx]

You can remove 4 bolts on the driver side cam cover and pull it back about an inch. With a flashlight you should be able to get a look at it. IIRC it is a 12 and/or 14mm socket.
What may complicate it is if the vanity cover is installed on top of the engine. You'll need to remove that first. 4 bolts And it lifts off. IIRC they are 10mm.
Alternately if it's a car lot you could ask that they a) provide a receipt proving it has been done b) open it for you to see c) negotiate $1200-$1400 off the price to cover the cost of having it done d) walk away if the salesman gets dodgy when you talk about this.
Good luck and trust your gut.

 

[AMGAndrew]

Electric impact driver and a 10mm socket makes checking it a 5 minute job. Engine cover, (4) 10mm nuts, pull it off. Remove the (2) 10mm nuts for the air intake tube resonator that attaches on the passenger valve cover. Loosen the clamps at the air box and the throttle body and pull off the intake tube. The passenger side timing cover has a couple 10mm nuts. Zip off the one towards the top right side and pry the top part of the cover back and take a quick look. You can be pretty agressive pulling/prying on the plastic cover. It's very bendy. If the belt isn't dry and cracked, it's got lots of life left. Seems like more work than it actually is. Good luck!