Hello, this is my first post with IH8MUD. I am looking at a 2006 LX 470 with about 250,000 miles being sold at a Lexus dealership. There is no record of the timing belt being serviced throughout its lifetime and no sticker in the engine bay, but the dealer says that it was checked and the belt looks to be in good shape. Do you think it would be safe to change the belt at 270,000 miles or would it be best to change it immediately? I don’t know what indicates a belt being bad or when to change it besides the 90,000 mile rule. Thanks!
Timing Belt Service Records
- Thread starter generalwingnut
- Start date
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no records = not done
'looks in good shape' = no accountability
At best, assume the dealer pulled a cover and took a quick look at the belt's smooth side. However, it's nearly impossible to visually check all the idler and tensioner without taking stuff apart halfway to completing the job itself, so no, I would not trust that 'inspection.' Replace it now, along with all the spinny mechanical bits, water pump, and cam seals. Especially if it's all original.
'looks in good shape' = no accountability
At best, assume the dealer pulled a cover and took a quick look at the belt's smooth side. However, it's nearly impossible to visually check all the idler and tensioner without taking stuff apart halfway to completing the job itself, so no, I would not trust that 'inspection.' Replace it now, along with all the spinny mechanical bits, water pump, and cam seals. Especially if it's all original.
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Not done, records or bust.
You have PA as your location so we're in the rust belt together, make sure you check underneath to see what you're really getting into.
If new to the 100 series I recommend reading Slee's guide, it has a ton of great information and what to look out for.
sleeoffroad.com
Welcome to MUD
You have PA as your location so we're in the rust belt together, make sure you check underneath to see what you're really getting into.
If new to the 100 series I recommend reading Slee's guide, it has a ton of great information and what to look out for.
100 Series Newbie Guide - Slee Off Road
Our Newbie Guide for the 80 Series Land Cruiser proven very popular, so we decided to compile one for the 100 series as well.
sleeoffroad.com
Welcome to MUD
is it fully confirmed that the non vvti 100 series engines aren't interference?
Toyota literature says it is, but a few non-vvti belt breaks here haven't resulted in valve/piston damage.
Whether the non-vvti is or isn't is dependent upon who you ask. Some think they are while others think they're not. One thing's for sure though; the vvti ones definitely are.
The people who suggest it is interference are just basing it on Toyota's misstatement from the late 1990s and making the assumption that Toyota is infallable. They can't point to a single example of interference damage on a non-VVT 2UZ-FE - in hundreds of broken belts over the years across all applications. In light of all the evidence it's silly to argue at this point that it might be an interference motor.
Get the selling dealership to do the timing belt as part of the sale or negotiate the price to account for the known service that will need to be done.