Timing belt replacement verification? (1 Viewer)

[eclipsegst97]

So Ive been searching and found some decent prospects on 07/08's 470's with 130kish miles, however it tends to fall apart when I ask if the timing belt has been done

Other than
- Lexus service history using the VIN ( I search for 90k service interval/ key word timing or belt)
-Carfax ( I search for 90k service interval/ key word timing or belt, I have seen "maintenanc service done/ completed". I dont give any weight to this descritpion)
-sticker on the engine, when replaced mileage or date


Any other way to verify the belt has been changed?

would a visual inspection of the belt be appropriate to determine the belt condition/ recent change out or life left?

if the belt does go I assume it throws my valves off causing major $$$$ damage immediately.

 

[Nailhead]

Check for sticker under hood. You night get lucky. My 95 LS400 had a sticker from independent Toyota/Lexus shop that had date and mileage of TB service.
I checked my GX and it doesn't have sticker and it was done by Lexus dealer.

 

[VTWolverine]

Second the sticker check.

It obviously makes sense to prefer a GX with the timing belt done already. However, I wouldn't immediately rule out one that hasn't. I recently bought my 06 and was able to talk the seller down on price using the fact that it needed the tb done. I bought my own tb/wp kit (aisin tkt-021) for $160 and paid $500 labor to a Toyota dealer to install it. Worked out great.

 

[eclipsegst97]

yes being an out of stater ( i'm in MA, looking for southern cars ) I have to ask them to check for a sticker.

I have a potential today however the service history i spotty per car fax ( lots of "service performed" but no detail,

i see oil changes as a separate line item on the car fax. so i dont think the sevice performed is the oil change. have a call into them to see if the performig center can give me more clarity

 

[GXO]

80/20 rule. You will never find perfect, and the value of doing some things yourself (or a shop you know) can be worth more than someone doing it for you before you get the truck. 100% perfect on paper means they had to drop coin to sell, so they went cheap and quick. So the 80/20 rule is my suggestion when shopping. Take your budget (i.e. $10,000). Then shop for a truck that is at your price point, but needs $2000 of work to get it to where you are satisfied with the service level. Offer $8000 given the $2000 worth of work that needs to be done. Then you can get the truck, get the work done so you KNOW it is done right, and have a 100% truck without the stress and PO failures of fast cheap repairs to sell. Remember, if you don't want to spend $2000 once you get it, the people selling REALLY don't want to spend $2000 to get rid of it.

 

[Cooperd0g]

The one I'm buying doesn't have the sticker, but it does have it in the service records. If it isn't in service records then the sticker is nice to have.

But I agree with @Vlad. And you can use it as a price negotiation for maintenance you know needs to be done. Or you walk and find another.

 

[Toyoland66]

I wouldn't expect a visual inspection of the belt to tell you if it was replaced tens of thousands of miles ago unless it was clearly not an OEM belt.

I agree with Vlad also, assume it hasn't been done unless the owner can otherwise prove it was, and plan on doing it after purchase. That way you know what was replaced, i.e. if it was just a belt or if the water pump, idler, tensioner, etc were also done.

 

[GXO]

I have seen at least 5 people buy trucks "with it done" and have to go back for a water pump, pulley issues, or other. I just would rather know and know it was done right.

 

[eclipsegst97]

deciding to go with a TX right now, "deposit" put down, 3rd party inspector going to morrow. Timing belt is not done but will be done once it arrives here
any "specific 470 " items for the inspector to look at ?

 

[Toyoland66]

Check radiator where fins attach to tanks for pink crystals, indicating radiator needs to be replaced, ours went bad around 100k.

Air bags for how long they take to level out and if one side sags compared to the other.

Wheel bearings

Depending on year I think some earlier ones had issues with dash cracks?

Maybe others have better input...good luck

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Since my radiator had pink crust and there were no solid records of when the timing belt was done other than the seller saying it was done the prior year, I went ahead and ordered all the quality parts for water pump, pulley, timing belt, radiator, hoses, thermostat, cap, etc.

I paid an Indy mechanic $500 labor to replace all my cooling parts. Mechanic discovered a broken bolt that holds the water pump and a generic branded water pump.

So, timing belt and water pump were done but not done very well.

At least when you order the parts yourself, you can make sure you get quality parts. And i trust my Indy mechanic to do great work.

Just my story on my purchase and the shoddy water pump.

 

[scmcna]

80/20 rule. You will never find perfect, and the value of doing some things yourself (or a shop you know) can be worth more than someone doing it for you before you get the truck. 100% perfect on paper means they had to drop coin to sell, so they went cheap and quick. \QUOTE]

True that! Paid 80% for my 09 gx470 w 138k mi. Took to independent Lexus certified mechanics and spent $3600 (20%) on complete inspection, all fluids and replaced OEM Toyota alternator, front rotors and calipers, A/C evaporator leak repaired. All “ Dunrite” and warranted for a year. Lexus dealer did TB at 100k verified records and dated sticker.