LS400 Mk4 Cambelt change

Kayjayem · March 5, 2021

Hi, just bought a 2000 LS400 IV with 64k miles on the clock, should I have the cambelt changed ?

If so what would a good garage charge ? (Lexus want more than £1000)

Keith

rich1068 · March 5, 2021

Hi Keith. Pictures or it didn't happen

Depends when it was last done. If you've no record of it being done or it's over 8-10 years then certainly. Back in October I had the timing belt, aux belt and diff oil changed at a specialist local to me and that was £340.64 No new water pump was required.

Kayjayem · March 5, 2021

2 minutes ago, rich1068 said:

Hi Keith. Pictures or it didn't happen

Depends when it was last done. If you've no record of it being done or it's over 8-10 years then certainly. Back in October I had the timing belt, aux belt and diff oil changed at a specialist local to me and that was £340.64 No new water pump was required.

It has always been service by Lexus Southend since new, never had a cambelt change, they would happily take £1000 + from me assuming the water pump didn't need changing. It has only done 64,000 miles hence the hesitation as Lexus say 100k or 10 years. I was amazed to get 30.1 mpg on my not slow 135 mile return.

Your new acquisition looks beautiful.

KEITH

Howplum · March 5, 2021

Do you know when the timing belt was last changed, if at all? Regardless of mileage, if it hasn't been changed in the last 6 years then it would be a good idea to have it done, along with the water pump, coolant and preferably the tensioner and idler as well, whilst the front of the engine is in bits. Oh, and the serpentine belt (fanbelt).

I did my own, so can't comment on the potential cost, other than I got the parts (Aisin) from Rock Auto for about £200 all in.

rich1068 · March 5, 2021

Nicely done Keith :thumbsup:

If it has been looked after by Lexus Southend I'm surprised they haven't lifted a previous owners leg for a cam belt and pump at least a couple of times. Maybe worth checking their records again?

But if there really is no evidence then definitely get it done. Don't buy a car like that and then skimp on the essentials.

cruisermark · March 5, 2021

Great find keith - how did you find this beauty? - any more pictures?

Kayjayem · March 5, 2021

5 minutes ago, rich1068 said:

Nicely done Keith

If it has been looked after by Lexus Southend I'm surprised they haven't lifted a previous owners leg for a cam belt and pump at least a couple of times. Maybe worth checking their records again?

But if there really is no evidence then definitely get it done. Don't buy a car like that and then skimp on the essentials.

I think they were a bit surprised they hadn't stitched them up for that too. The last driver was the original owner's widow who drove it till she was 94 !

Kayjayem · March 5, 2021

2 minutes ago, cruisermark said:

Great find keith - how did you find this beauty? - any more pictures?

Having looked everywhere, eBay, Gumtree , Facebook, Autotrader I found her on Shpock of all things.

135 mile journey but well worth it.

Kayjayem · March 5, 2021

8 minutes ago, cruisermark said:

Great find keith - how did you find this beauty? - any more pictures?

Shpock

Will post some more soon

Seller described it as Immaculate, It was better than that.

Malc · March 5, 2021

Cambelt change should really be accompanied by the waterpump etc too ..... it's a huge labour intensive job for whoever gets to do it ... and they sit in the same labour intensive " hole " ...... it's expensive whoever does it, maybe a whole day of labour ..... not necessarily Lexus tho ...... just someone local to you and competent should be fine !

That's if it really needs changing .. 100k miles / 10 years is the norm ......... I'm amazed Lexus hasn't done the job on a prior service for these prior doting owners ....... someone somewhere will have the necessary records surely :unsure:

Lexus servicing etc should be / could be on their computer system

BUT if it's a " non " then it makes much sense to have it done .......... it will last you another 10yrs / 100k miles

she looks a beauty for sure Well Done in finding her

Malc

rich1068 · March 5, 2021

2 hours ago, Kayjayem said:

Shpock of all things.

I don't even know what that is

1 hour ago, Malc said:

Cambelt change should really be accompanied by the waterpump etc too ..... it's a huge labour intensive job for whoever gets to do it ... and they sit in the same labour intensive " hole " ...... it's expensive whoever does it, maybe a whole day of labour ..... not necessarily Lexus tho ...... just someone local to you and competent should be fine !

3 or 4 hours max for someone who knows what they're doing.

Howplum · March 5, 2021

1 hour ago, rich1068 said:

3 or 4 hours max for someone who knows what they're doing

That's why it took me so long!

smallredball · March 5, 2021

In the not-so-long ago, Lexus had a special discounted price (£375, from memory) that was actively promoted on the main UK website. But IIRC, I had to point the dealership to the page on the main UK site, before they would honour it. Eventually, I got mine done there including water pump and aux belt for £501. That was on my previous LS400. My current LS400's cambelt and pump were done by the owner (an aircraft engineer) a year before I bought it.

64,000m - great find. 🙂 Get it done for peace of mind and ease of selling later.

Mine's the long-lost twin. Or rather it would be if the paint hadn't faded unevenly:

The-Acre · March 5, 2021

I think it's important to take it to someone who's done these before. I paid £180 for a Gates kit including water pump and my excellent mechanic charged £150 labour, I supplied the coolant for topping up. A lovely car!

rich1068 · March 6, 2021

19 hours ago, Howplum said:

That's why it took me so long!

Ha! I certainly wouldn't tackle a job like that so I tip my hat to you.

steve2006 · March 6, 2021

On 3/5/2021 at 11:54 AM, Kayjayem said:

Having looked everywhere, Ebay, Gumtree , Facebook, Autotrader I found her on Shpock of all things.

135 mile journey but well worth it.

Shpock you say....that was very Enterprising of you and a logical purchase, how are you finding the Warp Drive ? 😀

Malc · March 6, 2021

22 hours ago, smallredball said:

My current LS400's cambelt and pump were done by the owner (an aircraft engineer) a year before I bought it.

That was very fortunate ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, see she's not MOT'd right now !

Malc

smallredball · March 6, 2021

56 minutes ago, Malc said:

That was very fortunate ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, see she's not MOT'd right now !

Malc

It was fortunate. 🙂 He was a very atypical LS owner, too. I was expecting to meet someone in the same ... er ... 'demographic' 😉 as most of us here, but he was really young. He seemed to know the LS400 innards very well, but I don't think he was a member here. Yes, I SORNed S325APK and let the last MOT lapse when the whole CV19 thing happened.

To the OP, and back to the cambelt cost: it's always tricky with a car this old, but I always try to think of a spendy outlay like this as a cost to split across the number of years you expect to own the car. So £1000 is expensive as a lump sum so soon after purchase, but if you expect to keep the car for 5 years, then it's only £100/pa more than my (very lucky and long-gone) deal at Lexus. And with that done and such low mileage, it'll be more attractive to the next owner.

BlueWagon · April 4, 2021

On 3/5/2021 at 10:39 AM, rich1068 said:

Hi Keith. Pictures or it didn't happen

Depends when it was last done. If you've no record of it being done or it's over 8-10 years then certainly. Back in October I had the timing belt, aux belt and diff oil changed at a specialist local to me and that was £340.64 No new water pump was required.

Richard, is it possible to share the specialist who did your timing belt in October, perhaps in a PM? Think i will get mine done soon, open to travelling to Yorkshire for those sort of prices!

Mikaelse · April 6, 2021

On 3/5/2021 at 12:51 PM, Kayjayem said:

I think they were a bit surprised they hadn't stitched them up for that too. The last driver was the original owner's widow who drove it till she was 94 !

When you get it done . Have the mechanic "feel" and listen to the poly-V belt tensioner and idler. . Spinning the alternator , fan bracket and AC - compressor freewheel too . I have done the cambelt on two LS400 . the poly-V tensioner and idler was really dry sounding when spun. Grease in bearings looked like black dry soft cheese. Really needed changing after 20 years of service. IT is important that the mechanic has done a few cambelts and waterpumps on these cars. Not really difficult with instructions but a lot to do correctly and cables and hoses MAY be a bit brittle.