Cambelt / 60k - What's A Reasonable Quote

vinnyh · September 30, 2009

My IS200 sport is nearly on 60K and it's approaching the dreaded cambelt time!

I haven't obtained any quotes yet, will probably take it to a Lexus dealer, could anyone give me an idea of the kind of money I'd be looking at.

I've also thought about changing it myself, roughly how long would this take (I'm fairly competent and should have the tools), what would be the likely saving (assuming I source the timing belt from a Lexus dealer.. and indeed, should I source it from a Lexus dealer)?

kam05 · September 30, 2009

I'd say for labour and parts you are talking about £250-£300 at a indy/specialist or about £500 if you get Lexus to do the job.

In fact I was quoted by Lexus Leeds £550 to do the cambelt change by them a few years ago- I ended up changing the belt, idler and tensioner myself (with a helping hand from my uncle who is a MOT tester/mechanic). Its not too hard to change the cambelt yourself as long as you have some decent tools. The biggest pain in the :tsktsk: is undoing the bottom pully/crank bolt- you will have to get a breaker bar on the pully/crank bolt as it will be hard to undo.

Edit: I think it took me 3-4 hours to change my cambelt, idler and tensioner. I took my time- I didn't want to rush this job. Also I'd fit genuine Lexus/Toyota parts- I think you can get a genuine belt, idler and tensioner from Lexus for about £120? The parts aren't that expensive- its the labour cost that hikes up the price.

Also you may want to consider changing the waterpump (the part is about £100 from Lexus).

cocky · September 30, 2009

Lexus Sheffield charged me £250 last year including my LOC discount.

Morgan75 · September 30, 2009

I recently had my 02 GS 300 cambelt and a full service done at a Lexus Sidcup for £600.00, this was a very good price for a main dealer as a local garage was asking the same.

ormi · September 30, 2009

remember and give toyota a try too!!after all a lexus is just a expensive toyota and their labour rate is a lot cheaper!!!

inflames · September 30, 2009

I must be lucky i had mine done in feb and it only cost me £100 :D , the guy who does the jobs that i dont like to do is a x toyota guy before he opened his own garage and i guess it helps he's one of my dads friends. :winky: But i did get a few quotes aswell what were about £300-£400, if i had to pay that i would do it myself.

atce4 · October 1, 2009

I used a local independent garage last August for my IS200 60,000 mile service, MOT and cam belt change. They also replaced the spark plugs, brake fluid, auto transmission fluid, diff oil and recharged the aircon system. In all it came to just under £1000 which is a fair bit cheaper than Lexus dealers were quoting.

I supplied the spark plugs (available on ebay) and 5 litres of fully synthetic engine oil to keep the cost down a bit.

Hope this helps

kenfoxy · October 1, 2009

I would air on the side of caution with who you let near a cambelt change simply because consequences of a ***** up being catastrophic. You would have the best comeback if done by Lexus especially if you have a full Lexus history. Failing that a Toyota dealership. In my experience, some main dealers are no more expensive than a good inde. but you do need to shop around. Definitely get the water pump changed. Something a local back street garage neglected to do on a former Toyota when they changed the belt. The pump seized and stripped the teeth on the belt - wrecked engine.

atce4 · October 1, 2009

I would air on the side of caution with who you let near a cambelt change simply because consequences of a ***** up being catastrophic. You would have the best comeback if done by Lexus especially if you have a full Lexus history. Failing that a Toyota dealership. In my experience, some main dealers are no more expensive than a good inde. but you do need to shop around. Definitely get the water pump changed. Something a local back street garage neglected to do on a former Toyota when they changed the belt. The pump seized and stripped the teeth on the belt - wrecked engine.

Good advice... I had the waterpump replaced at 30,000 miles by Lexus because it started leaking but it's def worth getting it changed when the cambelt is done.

I agree re independants, the one I went to is called JEM and is run by ex mechanics from the JEMCA dealership so they have a lot of experience on Jap cars including Lexus. Their other company is Japarts which are also well known and well priced for spares.

Yates-Is200S · October 1, 2009

Hi all, is the cambelt easy to check? is it just a simple cover with 10mm bolts or is it a faff about?

kam05 · October 1, 2009

Hi all, is the cambelt easy to check? is it just a simple cover with 10mm bolts or is it a faff about?

Yep- undo 4 10mm bolts (I think) and you can remove the top cover to check the condition of your cambelt.

Yates-Is200S · October 1, 2009

Hi all, is the cambelt easy to check? is it just a simple cover with 10mm bolts or is it a faff about?

Yep- undo 4 10mm bolts (I think) and you can remove the top cover to check the condition of your cambelt.

you got a pic of the cam cover mate? not sure which one it is? is it the one below vvti cover?

eigenvalue · October 2, 2009

I'd also be very interested too know more about how the cambelt can be inspected via the removable cover - a picture would be great? I take it that, if the belt strips, the IS200 is not 'non-interference' like, e.g. a Mazda MX5, and major damage will occur?

eigenvalue

TigerFish · October 2, 2009

remember and give toyota a try too!!after all a lexus is just a expensive toyota and their labour rate is a lot cheaper!!!

What is the Toyota official labour rate per hour? Lexus Derby don't have a workshop, or parts department, so use Toyota next door. Would be extremely bad form for them to quote two different rates for the same mechanic in the same workshop, depending on whether he is working on a Lexus or Toyota.

ormi · October 2, 2009

i'll find out tomorrow what our labour rate is matey.

Yates-Is200S · October 2, 2009

im getting mine done on thursday morning. hes also fitting me a new w/pump and radiator as well as the cambelt, idler & tensioner + coolant.

£100 fitted - plus warrenty - (im supplying parts, all genuine)

£400 in total including labour and parts.

i dont think thats a bad price tbf.

wildybeast · October 2, 2009

whatever it costs.it will cost loads more if it fails.and at its good when you know your motors spot on.

idmax · October 3, 2009

Lexus Leicester done mine earlier this year on my old is200. It was a major service and a cambelt change for around £440 which was cheap!

Yates-Is200S · October 3, 2009

where abouts in leicester are you from mate?

what colour lexx u got?

idmax · October 4, 2009

Im in Evington. Its a 54 plate dark green metallic, why?

Yates-Is200S · October 5, 2009

just wondered mate, incase i see you around will give you a flash.

vinnyh · October 5, 2009

I got a quote from a Lexus dealer, which is around 420, including the tensioner. But they've told me they will inspect the tensioner first and only replace if it's worn, bringing the cost down to a possible 340.

I will ring another dealer to see if there's any difference on price.

kam05 · October 5, 2009

Tell your Lexus garage you want the tensioner replaced whether its failed/failing or not.

No point in saving a few £££ now, if you need to change a failed tensioner 3/6/12 months down the line. I always recommend changing the cambelt, idler and tensioner.

fil4362 · October 24, 2009

holy crap guys i working in the wrong area. i got to shut up shop and move now. never ever in my life have i ever heard of anyone happy to pay Nearly £1000 for a service mot and timing belt change are you all mad. iridium plugs are £38 quid for set of six air filter is £15 oil filter £10 good quality oil £25 quid. even an air con recharge is only £40 couple of litres of gear oil for diff and gear box £20 tops

Labour at my place is £37.50 an hour 1.5 hours for service 3 hours for t belt fitting as someone has mentioned a t belt kit from lexus is only £120 so whats that quick guess 270/280 ??

i know the service prices are right i recently did mine i bet the t belt is now where near £120 either ont he after market. Oh and no them service parts are not Lexus parts or even toyota for that matter but then Lexus and Toyota dont make there own service parts so the ones your getting are not dealer parts either. sorry guys i refuse to pay £60 for plugs that are made by ngk that come in a box labled toyota. As for warrenty, as long as you use O.E parts "or" equivelant it doesnt invalidate your warrenty. As trading standards wont allow the sale of non O.E standard parts any make will do even if you have to keep to warrenty.

When i service a car i change plugs, oil and filter. i check the air filter if its clean and will go another 10,000 leave it alone put it back in. If your aircon is icey cold, leave it alone dont touch it. if your pads have 3,000 miles left on them bring it back to me in 3,000 miles. dealers work to the service times. If your car gets serviced every 10,000 miles and you have 8,000 left on the pads the dealer will tell you there worn out and recomend you change them as they wont make it to your next service.

And dont check your timing belt they just snap or rip the teeth of, you can remove the cover and have a look but if it looks ok what you going to do remove cover next week and have another look just change it when it due then forget about it until its due again.