Timing Belt, 3.3 V-6

[thestevo44]

I am looking for opinions on changing the timing belt on the V-6. I am very close to having it done. I bought the car from a dealer with 48K miles on it, and based on that, I think it probably is the original. I have 87K on it now.

1) Are there truly NO signs of wear and/or readiness to be changed?
2) How often do YOU GUYS have this done, if at all?
3) The dealer is likely going to try to sell me a water pump change, because.... well you know why. I spoke to a Lexus mechanic shop, and they agreed with my decision to change the water pump every second time I change the belt. Do YOU agree?
4) I drive a lot of highway miles. I've been told this does not matter when it comes to wear on the belt. is this TRUE? I trust your opinion more than someone SELLING ME SERVICE.
5) Toyota dealership or local import shop that specializes in Lexus?

Thoughts?

THANKS!!

[Jakecallun20]

Well, as to no signs of wear that is partly true. There are signs such as big cracks and such, but I believe normal wear is small cracks.

I would check into this Lexus shop, simply because it COULD be cheaper than a Toyota stealership. Only thing I do know for a fact is the 3.3L V6 is an interference engine meaning if your belt snaps your engine is trashed.

[Gadgetjq]

Steve,

Toyota's maintenance schedule calls for timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles (or 108 months) for good reason. While the actual 'fatigue' point may be a lot later, the problems and expense associated with a broken belt (valves smashing into piston tops) far outweigh the cost of replacing the belt on time.

Replacing the water pump each time is simply cheap insurance. The only additional expense would be the pump itself since everything you'd have to remove for a pump replacement is already removed. You're also only 10k miles from a scheduled coolant flush and replacement so may as well have that done while everything's apart too.

After it's done your old belt might 'look' good as new but belts, like tires and most everything else degrade with time. If a brand new Solara sat in a garage for 9 years with 0 miles the belt would 'still' be due for replacement.

Cheers

[thestevo44]

Quote from Lexus/Toyota Import shop is $540 for timing belt, water pump, crank seal, cam seal, and coolant drain/flush/fill. He said that they could inspect the water pump and if there are no leaks, it would not have to be changed and the price would be lowered accordingly.

Oh, it would take a day and the price includes a rental car.

Does this sound good?

[Black Bob]

The price sounds about average to what an independent garage would quote around my area and it sounds like a HELLUVA deal when it's a dealership quote. Just watch out for add-ons, though.

[crispone]

Steve,

You can always find a shop that will "dicker" on the price, or come in a little cheaper, but for what this dealership is quoting on the vehicle you are driving, and judging by your character (in this short time) I'd say it's a "GO"!

Five hundred bucks to get it ALL done and done right, is not a bad deal. Put your mind at rest, and take care of it accordingly. Other's in here are right, it is NOT about what you "see" in terms of wear... and although you DON'T necessarily wear a belt as fast with highway driving (as FREQUENT and AGGRESSIVE trips to red-line will), the belt will STILL come under fatigue over time, and the mileage interval is set with good reason. If it were a NON-INTERFERENCE motor, I would not be so concerned, but in your case, I'd get it done and do it right. My PERSONAL suggestion is to SPEND the extra (incremental cost) and replace the water pump as well.

Hmmmmm.... now that I think about it, I'm over the 80k mark as well... and need to set a date to do the same!

G/L!


-crisp

[crispone]

HOLY CRAP-MAN, BATMAN!!!!!!!


I don't do my service at my local dealership, even though I know them well... because my personal shop down the street is... er... "more honest"?


So... I make a quick call... and for:

- TIMING BELT
- WATER PUMP
- "BELTS"

I was just quoted:

$922------------>>>>> CHA-CHINGGGGGG!!!!!!!



Time to call my OTHER shop!


Steve, DO THE JOB at your LEXUS dealership! That is sounding really good at the moment...



-crisp

[thestevo44]

Yikes!! 900 bones is a lot. Did you ask for the gold plated water pump? That is fairly harsh. I called my local Toyota Dealership, just for comparison sake and they said it would be roughly $500 for belt and pump. So, for $40 more I'll get the other stuff plus a loaner/rental. I'm going to go ahead and have it done on Tuesday of next week.

Thanks to all for the advice and assistance. As far as frequent and aggressive trips to red line... well.... I would have to say that I drive this car fairly "nicely". I would not use either term, frequent or aggressive as far as red-lining it. HOWEVER, I do redline it on occasion, because for a convertible, I happened to think this car has good acceleration. AND I do on occasion play around with the auto-stick which means I am switching gears and thus RPMs and so forth. And on those highway miles, I've possibly jumped on some BMWs asses going 90+. So, let's say I "enjoy" the car enough to assume that there is probably some wear on that belt, wink wink.

PS: Also, I live in Arizona, and for SOME reason, things seem to wear out and crack more often here. I dunno, could be the 115 degree heat? Naaaa!!

[Gangis]

IMO, definitely get everything replaced if only for the peace of mind. Even if the water pump isn't leaking, authorize to have them replace it anyway. It WILL fail before your next timing belt interval, you can count on it.

[QuickSEV6]

I was just quoted:

$922------------>>>>> CHA-CHINGGGGGG!!!!!!!

I was quoted about the same thing from my local dealership.

I wouldn't be surprised if the dealers are all wearing ski masks.

[thestevo44]

Dropped her off today at lunch.... timing belt and water pump. They hooked me up with a rental, it is a Chevy Cobalt. Not bad.... not a Solara... but not bad.

[Midias]

540 is not bad at all I think I paid about the same and had the accessory belts done as well.

[crispone]

Okay... MY shop came around with an initial $775 figure, and indicated that he was still "working on it"...

He is sourcing a "TIMING BELT KIT", (both include IDLER, etc...) and wasn't SURE on the water pump as "inclusive" (kit was around $350 alone?) and that was with FELPRO belt, cam seals, etc... and figuring $85 on the NEW pump.) He later found me $650 with GOODYEAR belt kit, and confirmed OEM pump new, NOT reman.

I told him at $650, book my job for Friday.


They aren't the CHEAPEST, but he is trying to make it a proper job, and found the "higher rates" typical when he checked a little. I told him $500-$600 from my "forum in-the-know" guys, including a $500 LEXUS dealership job. He said they did a LEXUS with one of these kits, same job as mine, and it was a little OVER $700, so I'll take what he quoted at this point.

HECK of a lot better than the $900+ quote from the STEALERSHIP!

-crisp