would you trust this TB replacement sticker?

[thebeedeegee]

PO told me the belt was replaced at 160k by the guy he purchased it from, but carfax and Lexus records don't show it. They only show the 90k mile service with TB replacement. This sticker looks suspect to me since it is obviously one you can just order online and stick on. Carfax shows the car was sold at auction once so it makes me think some sketchy dealer may have just stuck a sticker on there saying it was done at 160k.

Guy I bought it from said he had a mechanic look at it during his pre purchase inspection, but I highly doubt they pulled the covers off to check the timing belt during that inspection and probably just looked at the serpentine belt condition. Truck now has 175k miles on it. Should I just plan to replace the TB ? I hate to waste the money , but really don't want it to break on me either.

 

[TXSunDevil]

Pull the cover. It will take you less than 30 minutes start to finish and put your eyes on the belt and see if it looks new.

 

[TheDan]

Would not trust it without the receipt.
Its not wasted money (to change it) if it gives you 80-100k of worry free service and peace of mind. Get oem parts and do other preventative maintenance while your in there. Fan clutch, thermostat, tensioner, idlers serp beltz etc...
Stickers are only stickers. Receipt/service records/evidence isnt there.

 

[REZARF]

I agree, pull the cover and you'll know.

 

[medtro]

I would trust the stickers slightly more if they were written from 2 different pens.

 

[thebeedeegee]

Maybe I'll break into it this weekend and take a look. Do I have to drain coolant or remove the radiator to remove the covers? I dont think the water pump has ever been replaced even though the belt was at 90k

 

[TXSunDevil]

No. I pulled the passenger side cover. I think there is 4-6 bolts. No draining necessary.

 

[thebeedeegee]

Guess I'll plan to check it now, and if it looks ok I'll replace at around 185k with the water pump and whatever else. Thanks for the advice

 

[sr5pickup]

I’d also make sure it’s an oem belt that was used, I don’t particularly trust an aftermarket belt. My LC, when purchased had recently had the belt done but they used a Gates so I opted to change it anyway.

 

[slacker24-7]

I recently had mine changed by a trusted mechanic at 235k due to a leaking water pump.this was supposedly it’s 3rd belt change , he said the belt looked original and saved me the parts to look at . I honestly feel the last TB that was done by the PO , was never actually changed 50k ago, even though he was charged almost $1500
To do so..
I’d sure check it out.

 

[Jczajka]

I just finished doing my belt and replacing everything else in there. Last timing belt was done at the dealer over 100k miles ago.

Both belts looked perfect, other than any printing on them no longer there. I gave both belts a close inspection out of the truck and they didn't look bad at all.

On the other hand, most of the bearing in the engine were shot! They all had little or no grease in them, had play, and would rattle around when spun.

So don't trust the belt inspection alone.

 

[abuck99]

What is the probability the ink on the stickers would be the same color, same sharp line, no fading or discoloration 100,000 miles apart. Looks like they were placed there at the same time to me. And the sticker says "inspect" not "Timing Belt Replacement Record"

Also Toyota, Aisin, and most other TB kits come with unique stickers. These don't look like anything included in the brand specific kits just a record of being "inspected".

 

[jLB]

What is the probability the ink on the stickers would be the same color, same sharp line, no fading or discoloration 100,000 miles apart. Looks like they were placed there at the same time to me. And the sticker says "inspect" not "Timing Belt Replacement Record"

Also Toyota, Aisin, and most other TB kits come with unique stickers. These don't look like anything included in the brand specific kits just a record of being "inspected".

I'm reading the stickers as part of the same timing belt change (1) "a changed at decal" and (1) "a due at decal", which might explain the same ink.

Obviously this was not done at a Toyota/Lexus dealer, my concerns would be, "did they just do the belt and ignore the rest of the service?", and "what/who's belt did they use?"

 

[flintknapper]

What is the probability the ink on the stickers would be the same color, same sharp line, no fading or discoloration 100,000 miles apart. Looks like they were placed there at the same time to me. And the sticker says "inspect" not "Timing Belt Replacement Record"

Can't say whether or not the belt was actually replaced, but I think the stickers are being misinterpreted.

The lower sticker is to indicate a belt replacement at roughly 160K, the second sticker is simply a reminder to inspect the belt at 260K. Same thing as the sticker you get on your windshield when you have tires rotated.

It was written and placed there at the same time, not 100K later.

 

[fro20fow]

I just finished doing my belt and replacing everything else in there. Last timing belt was done at the dealer over 100k miles ago.

On the other hand, most of the bearing in the engine were shot! They all had little or no grease in them, had play, and would rattle around when spun.

Good info. Curious about the bearings breakdown. How many total miles on your rig? Any rust or corrosion on truck? Did the engine not sound right upon start up?

Thanks!

 

[Jczajka]

Good info. Curious about the bearings breakdown. How many total miles on your rig? Any rust or corrosion on truck? Did the engine not sound right upon start up?

Thanks!

194k on my truck. Timing belt last done at 90,234 miles according to Lexus Drivers. Truck is pretty rust free as it was a southern tuck most of its life. Everything came apart pretty easily and I replaced with parts ordered from @beno The new bearing were tight and smooth. The old ones sounded bad as they were spun or had so much play they would spin a few revolutions until they would start to oscillate and stop spinning.

The engine sounded good on start up, and fired right up. I was having some sensor issues that I got fixed. It now fires right up and sounds great.

 

[thebeedeegee]

I pulled the driver side cover open today and the belt looked fairly new. couldn't see manufacture markings though so I'm going to pull the passenger side and see if I can tell from there.

 

[abuck99]

I'm reading the stickers as part of the same timing belt change (1) "a changed at decal" and (1) "a due at decal", which might explain the same ink.

Obviously this was not done at a Toyota/Lexus dealer, my concerns would be, "did they just do the belt and ignore the rest of the service?", and "what/who's belt did they use?"

Can't say whether or not the belt was actually replaced, but I think the stickers are being misinterpreted.

The lower sticker is to indicate a belt replacement at roughly 160K, the second sticker is simply a reminder to inspect the belt at 260K. Same thing as the sticker you get on your windshield when you have tires rotated.

It was written and placed there at the same time, not 100K later.

I guess I’m less trusting. A sticker doesnt necessarily represent the job was done but if it was a genuine Aisin or Toyota sticker it would lend a bit more credibility. Like I said Timing Belt normally comes with a “replaced” sticker not an inspection reminder and these stickers are not a customary representation. They look suspect. Just because someone wrote “replaced” it on the sticker doesnt mean squat (to me). No carfax history, or other documentation to back it up.

Id pull the cam cover and get a look at the belt- if changed at 160k, then with in 15,000 miles there should be some printed lettering left on the belt and the belt and it should look pretty clean.

Belt shouldnt break at 100k service interval but Id make plans to to the full service if you cant determine its been recently done. Waterpump, fan bracket, tensioner and idler pulleys, tensioner, belt radiator flush etc.

 

[jLB]

I guess I’m less trusting. A sticker doesnt necessarily represent the job was done but if it was a genuine Aisin or Toyota sticker it would lend a bit more credibility. Like I said Timing Belt normally comes with a “replaced” sticker not an inspection reminder and these stickers are not a customary representation. They look suspect. Just because someone wrote “replaced” it on the sticker doesnt mean squat (to me). No carfax history, or other documentation to back it up.

Id pull the cam cover and get a look at the belt- if changed at 160k, then with in 15,000 miles there should be some printed lettering left on the belt and the belt and it should look pretty clean.

Belt shouldnt break at 100k service interval but Id make plans to to the full service if you cant determine its been recently done. Waterpump, fan bracket, tensioner and idler pulleys, tensioner, belt radiator flush etc.

Agreed, but I still think your assumptions on "same ink, same text" on the "160,000" & "260,000" decals on a 175,000mi vehicle are in error.

I also suspect, if I were motivated enough, with a little digging I could find some guy in China printing clones of the Aisin and/or Toyota stickers as well.