Problem with timing belt...

[Francis K]

My engine has been making some strange noises lately, nothing really alarming but at idle it seems like I need to change the timing belt.

The thing is those stupid bastards at the dealership supposedly did that about 20,000 miles ago which has been about 2 years from now. I wouldn't be suprised to learn it hasn't been done.

Can anyone give me any symptoms of a timing belt needing to be changed and what kind of job it is, expense wise.

Thanks,
Francis

 

[flintknapper]

My engine has been making some strange noises lately, nothing really alarming but at idle it seems like I need to change the timing belt.

The thing is those stupid bastards at the dealership supposedly did that about 20,000 miles ago which has been about 2 years from now. I wouldn't be suprised to learn it hasn't been done.

Can anyone give me any symptoms of a timing belt needing to be changed and what kind of job it is, expense wise.

Thanks,
Francis

More info on your vehicle? A Land Cruiser does not have a timing "belt". Perhaps you meant a timing chain, and one with only 20,000 miles on it would not need repacement. It may have been improperly tensioned.

 

[Scamper]

Your LX450 doesn't have a belt as Flint said. If you actually paid someone to replace it in the past, you might want to use your lawyerly skills and contact them again

So what kind of noise it it making?

 

[robbie]

May want to pull the vavle cover and look. if the plastic is missing from the tensioner side of the chain guide system(if the chain guide is the problem expecect a good size bill unless you do it your self). If due for a oil change drain it into a bucket and see if you have bits of stuff , plastic and aluminum flakes.. Or open the oil filter and see what is in side the filter, looking for the same plastic and aluminum bits. Or look at your water pump and alternator bearing or the idler bearing, or the A/C bearing and ilder bearing. Stuff to look at that can create similar sounds. Figure out what is wrong before you worry on how much it costs. later robbie