Gosh - Is It Really Required?

[kev dood]

I am still trying to recover whilst writing this, but have had a quick call round for a price for a 50k service (car has done 46k) for my 2001 X-reg IS200SE.

Apparently although the cambelt is 100k miles, its OR 6yrs!!! Which puts me slap bang on it!

So, my question is, has anyone had one go and do I really need to get it done after just 46k?

Chris S - rang Hanley and my gosh, you guys are cheapest by far for a normal 50k service (~£90 with GOLD). Service is shut now, so was wondering how much you guys would charge for a 6yr/50k service?

I am not getting spark plugs done as they should be 60k and I cannot see age wearing them earlier - plus I can do them no probs.

I need a sit down and a drink now - was not expecting cambelt this early - just had a baby - there goes his colleage money!!

[yemgi]

You would change it if it is 6 years old, I always thought cambelts have to be changed at least every 5 years because of the rubber starting to crack

[Rory]

I was told 60k or 6 yrs for cambelt, and mines a 2000 x with 60k so i'm having it done as it wasn't done at 6 years, i'm doin the plugs myself, so for my total full service including belts and labour, i've been told £415 including VAT, any opinions on this are greatly appreciated

i'd get your cambelt done just because of the age of the car

has anyone tried these guys? http://www.prestigecarservicing.com/carser...CFQ7alAodES75sw

[Rikos]

The cam belt should be done at 60k or 6 years not 100k. There are alot of people who have not changed their cam belt until 80-90k but it's all personal opinion and obviously finances allowing. I would recommend getting it done sooner rather later.

You should be able to get the cambelt changed for around £200.

I have used prestige servicing for my 60k service and had a B service done. Everything has seemed fine and i've done 4k since the service. The only thing with the service is they will take it to a garage near you they dont have there own garages. I was lucky as the garage they took my car too deals with Ferraris and Lambo's etc. You can ask where they will take the car so you can check the garage out for yourself first. Hope this helps.

[kev dood]

Thanks for the reply guys.

The service book says 100k for cambelt, not 60k! I know a lot of other manufacturers do it earlier, but thats usually on "lesser" cars so to speak, where belts are much much cheaper!!

Rory - was 415 at Prestige?

Does anyone know of a good lexus specialist in the S/SE of England of S/SE London?

So far I have full Lexus Service history and would like to keep that if possible, but not to the extent of ruining my wallet!!

[yemgi]

The service book says 100k for cambelt, not 60k! I know a lot of other manufacturers do it earlier, but thats usually on "lesser" cars so to speak, where belts are much much cheaper!!

rubber is rubber, whatever the brand or price it wears with the time

[Rikos]

The service book says 100k for cambelt, not 60k! I know a lot of other manufacturers do it earlier, but thats usually on "lesser" cars so to speak, where belts are much much cheaper!!

The service book says 100k you are correct but Lexus issued a statement stating that the cambelt should be changed at 60k not 100k as it safer to change it earlier.

As said you will find that cam belts on most cars are the same regardless off make or model and so made from the same material.

[Chris.S]

Cambelts need to be checked regulary as faulty tensioners can cause premature wear

[Vyker]

I changed mine at 91k, after 8yrs...

the belt had little left in it, but it was still going well, its all about peace of mind.

[oldcro]

I am still trying to recover whilst writing this, but have had a quick call round for a price for a 50k service (car has done 46k) for my 2001 X-reg IS200SE.

Apparently although the cambelt is 100k miles, its OR 6yrs!!! Which puts me slap bang on it!

So, my question is, has anyone had one go and do I really need to get it done after just 46k?

Chris S - rang Hanley and my gosh, you guys are cheapest by far for a normal 50k service (~£90 with GOLD). Service is shut now, so was wondering how much you guys would charge for a 6yr/50k service?

I am not getting spark plugs done as they should be 60k and I cannot see age wearing them earlier - plus I can do them no probs.

I need a sit down and a drink now - was not expecting cambelt this early - just had a baby - there goes his colleage money!!

The question is; can you afford to get your engine re-built after your cambelt breaks? The gamble could cost 10 times more plus no car until engine is repaired or replaced. Seems a no brainer to me.

[kev dood]

when did lexus change it then? Was this published anywhere?

I know what people mean by risk etc and obviously it will cost a huge amount if it did go wrong.

...Right, just got off the phone with Lexus Hanley.

According to the service guy (possibly Brian??), Lexus HAVE NOT revised the mileage down from 100k for the IS200. What they have done, as there were some instances of failing tensioners causing the belt to wear, is to instigate a check at 60k miles to check the tensioner and possibly replace under warrenty (as they have extended the warrenty on the tensioner).

Therefore, according the Hanley, the cambelt is 100k or 10yrs. I was told they wear more due to use than age - bear in mind that although they are rubber I think they are corded so not just simple perishable rubber.

Chris/Mat - if you read this could you please comment or confirm the above?

I think I might give Lexus GB a call anyway, just to double check.

[black200]

its not really required (my girlfriends audi has done 190,000km's without a timing belt change, and the belt is still in top shape)

but yeah, probably worth doing whenever you can afford it. I suspect my car has done around 130,000 km (car was sold to me with a low km cluster instead of the original one grrr) with no timing belt change - and no problem!

as someone mentioned previously - peace of mind thing :D

[Lanzodave]

im in the same boat or car mines an IS 200 sport 78000 6.5 yrs old

so tomorrow its getting the new belt and the three aux ones ,,might as wek replace them as theyre coming off anyway and plugs filters and an oil change,,

do you need to tune them or is the engine management system keeping a watchful eye

[Scorps01]

The price for the c/belt change is expensive from Lexus so why not get them to do whats normaly done on the schedule and find another garage to do the c/belt at a cheaper price. I had mine done at 42k as it was 6yrs old (X 2000) from an independent garage c/belt/tensioner/aux belt and water pump for £180, i supplied all the parts which are cheap from Lexus.

Labour rates are extortionate at the stealer dealer.

[Nick The Greek]

I had my cambelt replaced at 95k, because my manual stated 6/yrs or 100k.

Lucky I guess :D

[Fin_IS_200]

Take the upper timing belt cover off (only 4 bolts) and check how it looks like, but i would change it.

[kev dood]

Scorps01 - Where abouts in Surrey did you get yours done?

BTW - have you a black IS?

The other thing that makes me slightly nervous about getting it done elsewhere, is that the know all the ins and outs of the car enough to change what needs to be changed and do a good job!!

Mind you, its not that complete so can't be the hard.

Does anyone know how much all the parts are from Lexus?

[Rikos]

I think you can get the belt and tensioner for around £80

[Rory]

Thanks for the reply guys.

The service book says 100k for cambelt, not 60k! I know a lot of other manufacturers do it earlier, but thats usually on "lesser" cars so to speak, where belts are much much cheaper!!

Rory - was 415 at Prestige?

Does anyone know of a good lexus specialist in the S/SE of England of S/SE London?

So far I have full Lexus Service history and would like to keep that if possible, but not to the extent of ruining my wallet!!

FLSH isn't as important as the car gets older, theres plenty of competent garages that can save you a packet, 415 is from my local BMW specialist garage, as recommended by the guys I bought my car off, cos mines 7 yrs old

[si's_lex]

i got mine done with peace of mind when i bought it at 46k but you are right they dont need to be done til 100k

[Rory]

Take the upper timing belt cover off (only 4 bolts) and check how it looks like, but i would change it.

Is it really that easy? I thought it was much harder?

[Fin_IS_200]

Allmost, first u have to take the air duct off (3bolts).

[Lanzodave]

got mine done yesterday at a mates porsche specialist,

at 78k IT WAS WELL WORN and the 3 aux belts were looking very tired

the tensioner is about 30 quid from Lexus

and TBH i'm glad i got it done sooner than later

[Rob]

when getting the cambelt done ALWAYS CHANGE THE BELT, TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEY!!

If you do not want to change the belt then that is your decision but be aware that if it does break then you will need quite major work because it is an interference head design - ie the pistons will hit the valves.