Multiple Repair and maintenance advice needed for new (to me) LC

[aphil]

Hello all,
I've just purchased my first LC. It's a 2000 with grey exterior and 165,000 miles. It was a one owner with all maintenance done at the Toyota dealership. Never offroaded and VERY clean. Got it for $7500, which I thought was a very good deal. In my area (Northwest Arkansas) similar cruisers have been going for 10k to 12k.

This will be driven once or twice a week and on long road trips. 95% highway/city streets with the occasional light off roading when going camping or hunting.

My mechanic has noticed a few things and after reading through countless threads here, I've got a few questions:

1. Very small steering rack leak.
2. Time to do timing belt/water pump (was done at 90k previously) -$700
3. Possibly an exhaust leak he is trying to confirm (from reading here it sounds like exhaust manifold)

If it ends up that I need to replace all of these, it's going to be pricy and so I'm wondering if there is any benefit to having it all done at once vs one at a time? I'm not mechanical, but I know with the timing belt, it saves a ton of money to go ahead and do the water pump at the same time. I'm hoping that there would be some cost savings in having all these items done at the same time?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

 

[camino70]

Nice looking truck! Welcome.


My opinions:

1) find where it's leaking, could just be a new clamp needed at the reservoir. I wouldn't replace until you need to.

2) may not need to be done, depends on when the 90k was done.

3) unless it's bothering you, leave it alone.

Drive it a little while and you determine what needs money thrown at it.

 

[aljollano]

Drive it and get to know the truck before you determine what to fix right now or what can wait.
Just my 0.2

A.J

 

[feddomw]

I can only comment to 2)... my (EU) Toyota dealer quoted me 6hrs labor to get it all done. The specialist that ended up doing it charged me 13 hours (though the other belt for which I don;t know the English term was also done).

I also had water pump replaced, against advice of the specialist as the WP is good for a few 100K miles according to him. I did it anyway as it had been sitting still for two years. The one that came out was mint. I wouldn't say it was a waste of money because it gave me peace of mind, but it needed not be done.

 

[Sandroad]

And, just FYI, all three items you listed are mechanically separate, so there would be no labor savings in doing them at the same time.

 

[aphil]

First of all, thank you so much for all the advice.

So I've dug into the timing belt a bit more. I have records that the 90k service was done around 89k miles, however it did not list exactly what was done. So, I called the dealership that did all the service for the past 16 years and they confirmed that the 90k service was done at 89k miles, HOWEVER they said that they don't have a record or the timing belt or water pump being done during that service. Everything else was listed, but not TB or WP. They said that was strange, but it means i have no actual record that the TB or WP were ever done. Am I wrong in thinking it would be risky to wait another 15k miles until the 2nd or potentially FIRST TB and WP service?

Exhaust leak: So is the only concern the ticking noise from this? Doesnt bother me, but I don't want any safety issue to arise. It sounds like when kids put a card in the spokes of their bicycle. tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic (ticking speed is proportional to engine RPM)

 

[n55luvr]

I've been living with cracked manifolds for some time now. Is your noise still there and equally as loud after warming up or does it quiet down some? Mine gets nearly silent after warming up.

Everything I have read here says it is a non issue unless you can't stand the noise anymore. I can live with it for now.

 

[LBridges]

.... Everything else was listed, but not TB or WP. They said that was strange, but it means i have no actual record that the TB or WP were ever done. Am I wrong in thinking it would be risky to wait another 15k miles until the 2nd or potentially FIRST TB and WP service?
...

As an FYI, a general engineering practice is to specify something to be replaced at half the expected duty cycle. That statistically reduces manufacturing variation induced failure to a very low level. I fully expect Toyota belts have a 180K mile life expectancy, and so they recommend a change at 90K.

I bought my 2000 LX470 with 219K miles and the belt had never been changed. It was cracked on the back side but the teeth were still good - seems I got one that lived past even my suspected specified value (which given the "Toyota Way" is not all that surprising). Although I don't have a crystal ball, I'd wager waiting 15K more miles won't hurt. If you wanted to build your confidence factor you could pull the passenger side cam cover and see if the belt has a cracked/ragged looking appearance.

 

[corleykj]

I think you purchased a great vehicle at a great price. I bought my 1999 with 165K and it was a one owner with meticulous maintenance. I confirmed the timing belt on mine was changed at 90K. I would suspect yours was done with your service and they didn't document it. I can't imagine them doing that service and not doing the timing belt. You can always remove the inspection cover/cam cover and see it (so I have heard).
I did more research on if there is documented instances where a 100 series had a timing belt go bad, and actually do damage. It is extremely rare it seems. There are many people that get stranded with front diffs exploding or starter contacts going out (6 hour labor job). After reading everybody's repairs on the 100 series, it is hard to find timing belt failures, and even harder to find engine damage from timing belt failure. I would run it for 15K more in a heart beat. Most people disagree with me on this next idea, but I think we spend alot of money to prevent damage; if it breaks and does damage to your engine, a 4.7 engine with 175K miles can be had for around $1,000 I think. So it shouldn't be a $4,5000 or crazy expensive repair if the timing belt were to snap and damaged your engine.
I would run it.
I would also drive the heck out of it for a couple months before doing any maintenance.

 

[bctlex]

First of all, thank you so much for all the advice.

So I've dug into the timing belt a bit more. I have records that the 90k service was done around 89k miles, however it did not list exactly what was done. So, I called the dealership that did all the service for the past 16 years and they confirmed that the 90k service was done at 89k miles, HOWEVER they said that they don't have a record or the timing belt or water pump being done during that service. Everything else was listed, but not TB or WP. They said that was strange, but it means i have no actual record that the TB or WP were ever done. Am I wrong in thinking it would be risky to wait another 15k miles until the 2nd or potentially FIRST TB and WP service?

Exhaust leak: So is the only concern the ticking noise from this? Doesnt bother me, but I don't want any safety issue to arise. It sounds like when kids put a card in the spokes of their bicycle. tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic (ticking speed is proportional to engine RPM)

Did you ask what was the cost of the 90k service? I mean if it is couple hundred bucks, chances are they didnt replace TB or WP (makes me wonder what actually they did at 90k service - just change spark plugs?). If it is like $800, then most likely TB and/or WP was replaced.

 

[aging fleet]

If it were mine, I'd do the timing belt service along with the water pump, rollers, tensioner, etc. just to get the base lining underway.

If your hoping to delay the TB service for a few months, have your tech do a visual inspection, if no cracks, you'd likely be ok for another 5k. Good luck, it's a great looking rig.

 

[aphil]

Thanks all!
So it ended up that the steering rack was in bad shape. Had it replaced for $800 with a reman unit. Mechanic said he uses these reman units in his own cars and all customers and has never had a premature failure or any issue.

I went ahead and replaced the timing belt, as it just makes me feel more comfortable. Timing belt, water pump, serpentine belts, teensioners and pullies was $700 total.

Exhaust leak ended up not being too bad. Mechanic said just live with it unless it starts getting significantly worse.

I found out the Michelin tires were over 9 years old and cracking. Took advantage of the Memorial Day sales and got 4 new Michelin LTX m/s tires installed and out the door for $800.


With all that, should be good to go for a long time.

However will have to do the front shocks at some point in the future and trying to figure out what to do there...

 

[Sandroad]

Thanks all!
So it ended up that the steering rack was in bad shape. Had it replaced for $800 with a reman unit. Mechanic said he uses these reman units in his own cars and all customers and has never had a premature failure or any issue.

I went ahead and replaced the timing belt, as it just makes me feel more comfortable. Timing belt, water pump, serpentine belts, teensioners and pullies was $700 total.

Exhaust leak ended up not being too bad. Mechanic said just live with it unless it starts getting significantly worse.

I found out the Michelin tires were over 9 years old and cracking. Took advantage of the Memorial Day sales and got 4 new Michelin LTX m/s tires installed and out the door for $800.


With all that, should be good to go for a long time.

However will have to do the front shocks at some point in the future and trying to figure out what to do there...

You got great prices on the services and tires. Smart moves.

 

[2003lx470]

Congratulation and welcome to the forum.

I would have change the TM belt and WP first before fixing anything on the truck. Having said that, did you replace the Cooling Fan Pulley Bracket? I had to change mine at 90K. Something to think about.

Engine Cooling Fan Pulley Bracket AISIN FBT-002

 

[04UZJ100]

I would replace every single fluid while you're at it.

 

[Dwight S]

As for your shocks, since you are staying mostly stock, get some Toyota OEM shocks. They're cheap and the ride will be good.

 

[WarWagon]

What were your symptoms of a bad steering rack?

 

[aphil]

No symptoms, except steering felt a bit loose, however don't have much to compare to being a new purchase. Had one mechanic tell me there was a small leak but would need that needed to be looked at in depth. 2nd mechanic said leak was irreparable and needed to be replaced.

My wife will drive this on the highway sometimes and I'm not going to take a steering issue lightly. Rather do it now and not worry about it.