New To The Sc430 Club

[ChiefSi]

Hi,

Just waiting for my SC430 to be mot'd and serviced before picking it up, unless things go south of course.

It's a 2002 in blue with black interior with 100,000 on the clock, I have to say it did not feel like it. I have a few questions so sorry if I double up on previously covered topics. It's got an ok service history but the previous owner seems to have neglected certain items.

First up cam belt change, it hasn't been done and i'd rather get the guy I trust to do it. While the belts off is there anything else I should change? Water pump? Any other belts etc?

Run flat tires, I've not had them before and I'm keen to hear people's opinions on them and any gremlins that pop up?

Not sure if they'll change the plugs for me so is this worth doing to keep everything sweet?

I'll almost certainly have more questions so you'll get fed up with me pretty quick!!

Cheers

Simon

Cheers

Si

[Paul_G]

Hi Simon, welcome, some answers: -

Cam belt, 10 years or 100k, so yes you need to do it. Always do the water pump as well when you are in there.

Run flats make the ride very hard. Most cars have had them replaced and carry a 'get you home' spare.

Plugs I believe are every 10 years as well (not cheap either), I've had my cam belt/water pump done (2002 car), and will do plugs next year :)

Hope this helps.

Paul.

[john leeds]

I got the main dealer to do my belt and water pump.they were very reasonable, but I got my chosen mechanic to do the service, all he said was that the plugs were expensive as they were a certain type, personaly I would get it all done just for peace of mind, this way if anything else is wrong it will be spotted and can be addressed accordingly.

[ChiefSi]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll get it all done in one go for peace of mind.

Paul, which "get me home" spare do you have in yours?

Cheers

Si

[jeffreyt]

Simon,welcome to the SC 430 world.

Suggest you read up on the 'Battery drain ' threads just in case your car suffers this not uncommon gremlin.

PS I too would be interested in any inf on the spare wheel question as am currently trying to find a space saver spare that fits the car AND fits in the spare wheel slot in the boot.I've got a full size spare (off an old GS got it cheap on ebay) that will fit in the boot but can't put the top down as its takes all the boot space.

[Neil E]

I just have the tyre repair kit but the space saver Supra wheel and the RX8 space saver are two options to consider.

[alphacat]

Lexus charge flat rate for the cam belt change I think its only £280 or so. But then you can bet they will say you need to change the water pump and some associated pulleys/ tensioners.. I have heard total cost is around £700.... There is a full kit online I checled out including cam belt and tensioners for around £100 a full set including timing belt, serpentine belt, tensioners water pump and all gaskets is only about £200 from the US. Then the job is well within the capability of any reasonable motor mechanic.

Get rid of the run flats... First rule of motoring. Get rid of the run flats. On a MK1 SC430 especially.

[Paul_G]

Cam belt + Major Service + aircon regas + MOT cost me £1,100 at Lexus Tunbridge Wells. I was happy with that. Pictures of space save wheel/tyre are attached.

[ChiefSi]

Spot on Paul, that's what I'm after is that an official Lexus cover?

Cheers

Si

[steve2006]

I have a spare Lexus fit spacesaver wheel the same as in the above picture for free if anyone wants it, does need a new tyre as it has perished over the years although unused on the road.

Buyer collects or willing to courier for the cost of :)

[Paul_G]

Yes, it's the official Lexus conversion that was given to UK owners when they complained back in the early 00s, the boot carpet also has a cutout, and the roof cover attaches via a strap.. You do lose a lot of boot space when the roof is down though :)

[ChiefSi]

Looks pretty sweet, I'll have to ask my local dealer if they still sell it.. Less room for shopping = less time in the shops!! That was my plan all along

Cheers

Si

[alphacat]

I just rely on breakdown cover !!

[CraigIson]

Wow some of you guys need to learn to haggle with main dealers!

I paid £280 for a cam belt change, £98 for a new water pump, Less than £10 for a new thermostat and a aux belt kit cost £25 with new pulleys!!! all fitted and the coolant flushed and a bottle of "Spare" coolant for just over £400!!! ... Haggle my dears! HAGGLE! (And I've got all the old parts back so they have defiantly done the job)

Run flat tires - Hmmm hit and miss, The ride don't exactly change, but the effect of potholes and worn roads are felt a lot more through the steering wheel. IMO ... Keep a small compressor and AA/RAC membership handy, The spare is just a waste of space. The boot (With the roof devider thingy) is pretty in-practical with out having a spare wheel taking up 70% of the space all the time. Run flats are also completely useless in cold weather or snow due to the harder compounds they are made from.

Other than that, Just make sure the Recall for the air bags have been done :)

[Neil E]

Sounds like very good value for money Craig. It's a 4-5 hour job to do the cam-belt and water pump for those that are well practiced, most would book longer.

I'm quite sure Toyota Lexus Guildford couldn't match that price.

Genuine Toyota cam belt, drive belt, tensioner assembly, 2 pulleys and a water pump would be £300 in parts alone.

[ChiefSi]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the great responses, I've got a clear idea of what I need to get done with the cam belt now so thank you.

I'm still waiting to pick up the SC from the dealer, I think Lexus Bristol has taken it hostage!!

Cheers

Si

[ChiefSi]

Hi guys,

The cars out of Lexus Bristol and I'm off to pick it up at the weekend. So far Lexus Croydon quoted me £740 for cam belt and water pump change.

I've asked for a breakdown of the price as I feel it may be inclusive of to much labour. Any views would be helpful.

So far Lexus have gone very quiet.. Is there anyone based in Croydon or south London that can recommend a decent garage/specialist that uses OEM parts?

Cheers

Si

[john leeds]

Leeds were quite cheap, but a bit to far I reckon, but do check the labour as they have charged as separate jobs, they did this to me until I challenged it,I also said that they were up against an aa garage so they had to come down in price which they did.I can't remember what the price was but I will have a look later.

[Paul_G]

Try Motorline Lexus in Tunbridge Wells, ask for Colin in service. I paid a lot less than that. Tell him what he needs to beat.

[Neil E]

Whoever quotes, I would just check that each quote is like for like and includes everything you want done.

Cam belt

Water pump

tensioner assembly

2 pulleys

drive belt

anti-freeze

Anything else to be done at the same time, filters, plugs, diagnostic checks, inspections, etc, etc.

All genuine Toyota parts, courtesy car?

Number of hours labour will depend on the experience and ability of the engineer or the dealers may just book the time allowed according to their schedule. Sometimes jobs can take a little longer due to unforeseen issues so quotes may factor that in.

[ChiefSi]

John, that's what made me suspicious as I received two quotes separately from Lexus for the cam belt and water pump. When I asked for the quote to include all the work to be completed at the same time Lexus simply added it together. As Neil has pointed out this could very well be justified but I thought I'd get a second opinion just in case.

Cheers Paul I'll give them a call tomorrow and get a price. ABM Ltd are recommended by a few of the guys in the IS forum which is handy as it's just down the road.

Neil, thanks for the summary I'll use this list when I'm getting prices. Lexus Croydon seem quite wooly when it comes to the details just that its a "cam belt kit"..

Looking forward to getting this done so I can move on to the fun stuff

Thanks again for all the info guys, really really helpful.

Cheers

Si

[ChiefSi]

Soooo....

I've been quiet for a while now due to starting a new job and it's been pretty time intensive finding my feet and getting married!!

This has meant that the SC has been under wraps for nearly 9months!! Now I'm ready to tackle it head on.

First up thanks to the guys at     Albin B Motors for sorting my timing belt, water pump and running a diagnostics for me all the way back in January 2015.

codes are:

P0430 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 2.

I had numerous holes in the exhaust so had a new custom stainless fitted. Before father analysis can be done.

P1651 VSV for ACIS Circuit. 

I picked us a new Vacuum suction valve and had to strip off the inlet manifold to swap it out and fit new gaskets whilst I was there.. Oh and vacuum out all the leaves and dirt that had collected underneath!!

B1421,B1423,B1424 all air con. 

Not sure where to start with these. I looked up the codes and now I'm even more confused!! 

Ive also started a full restoration of the braking, steering and suspension systems. 

Picked up some LS400 front brakes and some RCA blocks from FIGS engineering, thanks to Matt for help with this, stripped off the rears today and got them ready to go away for refurb and paint.

Got some pretty simple modifications to carry out so if there's interest I can start a new build thread?? 

Cheers

Si

 

[Neil E]

Yeah start a new thread and keep us posted. Would be interested to hear about the LS brake upgrade. What else do you have planned?

[ChiefSi]

Absolutely, everything fitted so far has been genuine Lexus/Toyota.

Thanks for getting in touch. I am interested in a spare wheel and cover. What's the price and where are you located?

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[ChiefSi]

Neil,

I'll start up a new build thread. I'm holding back on the visual mods as I'd like to see it once I've fitted some coilovers and new wheels.

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