what cover is the easiest to get off for timing belt check

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I just bought a 2000 LX470 with 152K and it is unknown if it had a timing belt replacement. Which cam shaft cover is the easiest to get off and check left or right?:bounce: I hope that it had been replaced at 90K :D

 
have you looked for the tb sticker around the engine bay, underside of hood, front of engine (deep down in there by the front tb cover)? it is customary to put in a sticker as part of the job.
 
i will look and see if it is somewhere else than the usual places. If not i will be digging in for the actual check of the belt.
I hope that it got done.
Thanks
 
schlite60 said:
i will look and see if it is somewhere else than the usual places. If not i will be digging in for the actual check of the belt.
I hope that it got done.
Thanks

i cant say for sure but i wonder if you'll really be able to tell the difference bw a belt with 60k and a belt with 150k. i imagine text would be rubbed off either way and i think weve seen some 60k belts in bad shape and some 150k belts in good shape. just thinking outloud.

good luck!!!
 
i will look for cracking on the belt top and bottom and see how much the noise the rollers make too. Basically just wear on the belt. then make a judgement call after that.
hopefully it got done.
 
Did very close inspection for the label there is none; so it looks like i will be doing a very close inspection with a cam cover off; maybe the left one looks a little more accessible.
 
The passenger side cover. 4 bolts around the cover and the one in the middle. Much easier to take out and back in.



Did very close inspection for the label there is none; so it looks like i will be doing a very close inspection with a cam cover off; maybe the left one looks a little more accessible.
 
The easiest way to check is to go to the Lexus website, find the 'owner services' link, and register the VIN as yours. All the dealer-performed services are available there along with the maintenance schedule. If there is a service on that list that you aren't sure about then call the dealer and ask. I.e. Just call and they'll tell you what they did for the 90k, assuming it was done at the dealer.

I did that on mine (also a 2004 LX which i picked up last year) to answer an AHC question. The dealer went back and pulled the original (4 year old) work order to tell me exactly which parts were replace in what locations.

You pay for the privelege when you buy a new Lexus but the service really is excellent. Of course since you bought used it's mostly the other guy that paid for it :)
 
This is why buying a cruiser with complete main. records is worth more than one without records. If no one knows Id replace the belt and do the rest of the maint. items. These cars run forever with proper main. 2 cents MIke
 
UPDATE with Pics


looks like a new belt was put on and hopefully a new water pump too. I will monitor for leaks. The pass cam cover was pretty easy to take off less than 30 min. I also cleaned the throttle body too.
Comments anybody?
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Yeah - not scientific but that belt does not look like it was original so looks like you're good. Mine at 90k had all the lettering completely worn off. Ideally you'd get a lot done at the 90k service including Timing belt, water pump, thermostat, idlers and tensioners (for timing belt and drive belt), drive belt, cam and crank seals. I believe the TB is the most important and given your situation I'd wait for the 180k and go to town on that TB job. Unless of course you're paranoid, money is not an object, etc.
 

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