Cam Belt At A Decent Price.

thatfatbloke · December 31, 2014

As some will know I purchased the LS with no service history so have no idea whether she has had her second belt change. She is now showing 131,000 miles. I have um'd and ar'd about this,even considered getting shot and going back to Mercedes. I drove my wife's E320 this morning and have decided to keep Lexie!.

So,I phoned a few garages and have had three different prices,and I will probably (still waiting for one more price to come in) go for the price from a long established (1907) garage. They are quoting £517 for the Gates belt and all the gubbins with the labour etc. I enquired about the water pump,they seem to think it probably would be OK left alone,but if needed would be another ton on top with the anti freeze etc. Apparently the job books at 3.5 - 4 hours and doesn't need any specialist tools they haven't already got. So I'll probably 'go for it' in the New Year. Over and out.

thatfatbloke · December 31, 2014

..and that's another thing,the confusion over the correct belt. Some are saying that the same belt was used from 89-00,some say only 90-94,yet others say 89-97. Some say I need a 211 teeth belt,some 209. My car was registered on 01/08/97,so one of the very last MK3's. Still the garage have my registration number so they should be supplied with the right one from that. Fingers crossed.

cruisermark · December 31, 2014

i would also ask lexus also - i stand corrected but lexus coventry were doing a belt only change for £295 and waterpump was £100 extra - i cannot find the link now - i believe messi knows more about this

hope this helps

jpjsavage · December 31, 2014

I had a quote from Leuis Stoke before Christmas. It was £795 excluding the water pump. My mechanic is going to do it for me in a week or so for around £350. He will check the water pump who the engine is stripped and if there is any sign of water seeping out I will get it replaced. To be honest, I will probably ask him to replace it anyway.

cruisermark · December 31, 2014

there is also a discussion here just to give you an idea of prices

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/86899-ls400-timing-belt/

messi · December 31, 2014

Lexus dealers birmingham do it for a fixed price of £295 with a little extra for water pump. Plus if it isn't toyota own brand coolant, I wouldn't use it.

cleverdick · December 31, 2014

I do find it strange that a non-Toyota/Lexus garage can claim that this job takes 3.5 - 4 hours when, according to Lexls, it takes "certified mechanics" 10 - 15 hours.

Do they really know what the job entails? How will they know what all the torque settings are? Do they have the genuine service manuals?

All looks too good to be true!

n4chv · December 31, 2014

Each time I had to get the cambelt changed on my Mk IV LS400, the job was always quoted at 4 hours labour by both Lexus dealers and other independents / specialists too.

I used to get my car serviced by a Lexus dealer anyway including this job too.

I have never heard of the job being quoted at more than this.

Malc · December 31, 2014

Many years ago with my Mk1 I had the cambelt changed at 120k miles and it really did take the non-Lexus mechanic all day to do the job ........ 8 hrs anyway ....... it is a monster job.

I didn't replace the waterpump, leaving it to the 180k miles change ( if ever ) and the new owner.

Mine is on 165k miles now and awaiting it's next cambelt change at 205k miles methinks, will then see the waterpump replaced whatever it's condition ( unless it needs doing prior of course )

Malc

messi · December 31, 2014

Lexus dealers do the job in 4 hrs, even my brother in about 4 hrs too. I've never known it to be longer than 4 hrs

messi · December 31, 2014

Sorry that was meant to say even my brothers garage do it in 4 hrs

thatfatbloke · December 31, 2014

I do find it strange that a non-Toyota/Lexus garage can claim that this job takes 3.5 - 4 hours when, according to Lexls, it takes "certified mechanics" 10 - 15 hours.

Do they really know what the job entails? How will they know what all the torque settings are? Do they have the genuine service manuals?

All looks too good to be true!

I assume all the garages that got back to me with a price had all looked in the 'little black book' of job times,for ALL of them to say the same thing. When I first got the car I phoned Lexus Tunbridge Wells for a price and they never did get back to me. It just goes to show as I have said before that a lot of people believe anything they are told by Lexus,and just pay what they are told regardless,because they are usually 'minted' and don't worry about it which is fine,but I'm an ordinary low paid working class geezer and everything has to be done on a budget. Obviously trundling up from the South Coast to somewhere godforsaken like Coventry or Birmingham wouldn't be economically viable,that's why I phoned Tunbridge Wells. Happy New Year.

ls400lpg · December 31, 2014

My local independent garage did it for £150 labour. 2 people doing it and took about 4 hours. 30,000 miles later and still ok. Very nice people if you like me to pass the garage to you if your in North West.

Technoman · December 31, 2014

Try the guys at Bexhill motors, Richard and Lee will not rip you off. Their labour is £45 an hour and do the water pump at the same time as it will cost you no too if it later needs replacing.

harrylime · December 31, 2014

I've just used a Porsche specialist to change my starter contacts ( 4 hours labour). However, any Lexus dealer should do a timing belt for an Ls for £295, as per their website at http://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/index.tmex?ac=C3257&mc=SEM2014AFS&gclid=CIbstILQ8MICFebLtAodkBkAKg&gclsrc=aw.ds#/ServicingYourLexus (bottom of page). Why would you go elsewhere?

thatfatbloke · December 31, 2014

Just phoned Lexus Tunbridge Wells again to see if this £295 'deal' is still a goer. 'We'll phone you back Sir'. Righto,I won't hold my breath!.

harrylime · December 31, 2014

Sheffield are still doing it. It is still on Lexus website. If they refuse, I would get in touch with Lexus. It's part of their bid to retain work on older cars, as I understand it

thatfatbloke · December 31, 2014

Blimey that was quick. Apparently my car doesn't exist as it can't be found on 'the system'. Service manager reckons some LS's were chain driven and not belt drive.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'I'll phone you back in five minutes Sir'.

thatfatbloke · December 31, 2014

Sheffield are still doing it. It is still on Lexus website. If they refuse, I would get in touch with Lexus. It's part of their bid to retain work on older cars, as I understand it

The reason I have just been given by LTW that they can't find my car,is that it's too old!!.

thatfatbloke · December 31, 2014

They've got back to me. It IS £295 for just the belt and labour. They say they don't usually need to replace all the other gubbins as it's always 'fine'. However they obviously wouldn't know this until the car is stripped,so I could be in for a nasty surprise that I hadn't budgeted for if this was the case. Dilemma time now. Pay £295 for the basic belt and labour and keep my fingers crossed,or go to my local garage and get the whole lot replaced at the above price. Hmmmm........

hihihi · December 31, 2014

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The-Acre · December 31, 2014

Grove Garage near Brighton quoted me around £500 all in, including a new water pump etc. May be worth giving them a call to see if you can negotiate! I can do it for you if you like as I've got to know the guy.

Malc · December 31, 2014

Cynic that I am, I would feel that the Lexus Main Stealer will do the £295 jobbie, tell you it needs all the other gubbins as the job is in progress or even afterwards and you end-up with a £600+ bill.

How can the Lexus people tell you that they thought some of the Ls's were chain driven for heaven's sake .................. would you trust them with your car ???

Maybe go with the indy, I will when my time comes............. I just KNOW that I will be getting a first rate job done at the very best price achievable.

Malc

runsgrateasanut · January 1, 2015

I've just used a Porsche specialist to change my starter contacts ( 4 hours labour). However, any Lexus dealer should do a timing belt for an Ls for £295, as per their website at http://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/index.tmex?ac=C3257&mc=SEM2014AFS&gclid=CIbstILQ8MICFebLtAodkBkAKg&gclsrc=aw.ds#/ServicingYourLexus (bottom of page). Why would you go elsewhere?

Thats for an Ls200/300.

My own exprerience of costs for parts alone is in this thread, so beware as just chaging the belt can easily lead into all other parts.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/95522-need-help-98-ls-400-parts/#entry893499

ps My very good mechanic friend has yet to bill me for the labour element - thats four months back?? Must be doing well to be able to leave it so long!

harrylime · January 1, 2015

I've just used a Porsche specialist to change my starter contacts ( 4 hours labour). However, any Lexus dealer should do a timing belt for an Ls for £295, as per their website at http://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/index.tmex?ac=C3257&mc=SEM2014AFS&gclid=CIbstILQ8MICFebLtAodkBkAKg&gclsrc=aw.ds#/ServicingYourLexus (bottom of page). Why would you go elsewhere?

Thats for an Ls200/300.

My own exprerience of costs for parts alone is in this thread, so beware as just chaging the belt can easily lead into all other parts.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/95522-need-help-98-ls-400-parts/#entry893499

ps My very good mechanic friend has yet to bill me for the labour element - thats four months back?? Must be doing well to be able to leave it so long!

That price is for the LS430, I assume the 400 would be the same (and is the price quoted by lexus sheffield for my 400)