Servicing Advice

oldmanmille · April 21, 2009

Not been on for while but have a question or two that I need advice on please

IS200 - 2003 model. The car has 17000 miles on it and has been serviced every year despite its low mileage. I want to have a 20k mile service carried out and have been quoted accordingly from Lexus dealer - expensive but...

The dealer mentioned about the cam belt and said they would look at the condition but Lexus recommend every 6 yrs or 60k.

As the car has low mileage is it worth me having the belt changed now per the 6 year 'rule' ? Again expesnive but if it lets go then expense of change will be irrelevant at that stage!

Thanks in advance....John

kam05 · April 21, 2009

I get the timing belt changed if I was you. Belts don't just wear out, they also degrade to due lack of use.

kev dood · April 21, 2009

I have the same problem on my 01 X-reg car. Its now done around 58k but for the last 2 years I have had this dilema due to Lexus bringing forward the timing belt change.

Personally I have decided (as I no longer use Lexus to service the car due to the age) to just have the belt inspected at the service and if its OK then leave it.

I have heard that from 2003 they changed the design a tad and the problem of the idler bearing loosening and creating a wobble (or something to that effect) which in tern causes the belt to wander/be pushed towards the cover and therefore wear it....should have been fixed.

I don't know how true that is though!

Either way, i know its a serious problem if it does go, and as its a rubber belt, it can perish over time, but generally these things wear due to use more than time expired. If you have it inspected then I would say thats fine.

Though Lexus themselves charge £299 to change the timing belt - though that won't include the tensioner etc which you should change also (I am guessing).

Normal garages probably charge around £240?

oldmanmille · April 21, 2009

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice....will have to see the bank manager of HSBC....

kev dood · April 21, 2009

thinking about it, the timing belt kit does come with new tensioner and idler, so maybe lexus will change all that for the £299. You would be best to check I guess.

Some people advise changign the water pump while you are down there.

kenfoxy · April 21, 2009

I think that you need a strong case NOT to do the cam belt at six years. I know it is an expense but the next owner will expect it to have been done. If it hasn't,

he will offer you less by the cost of the job. I notice you live in Cheshire. Ask Charlesworth in Glossop for a quote. They are highly regarded on this site as Lexus specialists. Could be well worth the journey.

kev dood · April 22, 2009

Is he selling it though - in which case if not then whats the harm in leaving it if the belt has been checked and looks ok.

With such low mileage the wear on the belt through use will be minimal. And rubber compounds not exposed to sunlight etc shouldn't really degrade that much in 6 yrs and with some use. Fair enough if its been sat for 6 years.

I know and agree that its an important and costly job should it go but theres too much panic and mystery surrounding these things. Thats what garages play on and how they make their money - just take brakes as an example.

The reason it was brought forward was because they found some that had worn early due to the idler issue. So fair enough they played on the side of caution and brought it forward, but that doesn't mean every car and every belt is gonna do the same.

kenfoxy · April 22, 2009

Another way forward would be to ask Lexus to INSPECT the belt and report. If they say the belt is OK (and put it in writing) then I would leave it alone. If it subsequently breaks and you have FSH then you have a claim.

I would still get the belt changed and the car serviced by a specialist independent. The total cost might not be that much more than the Lexus service alone.

kev dood · April 23, 2009

tis exactly what I said!! :-)

Steviewevie · April 23, 2009

I don't think that Lexus will give you a written guarantee that the belt will definitely be ok until the next service. They will look at it and tell you what sort of condition they think it's in, but I don't think they'll let themselves be pinned down on that.