Ls400 Cam Belt

MRTED · April 5, 2004

My 1996 LS400 111 has 103k miles. Cam belt changed at 64k in 1998. Dealer says it should be changed every 63k or every 6 years, i.e now. Quoted price £450. Has anyone else come across this "timed" interval as well as the usual mileage interval between cam belt changes?

ColinBarber · April 5, 2004

It is done on mileage and time in the US. Don't think Lexus have ever quoted time in the UK for the cambelt. Do you have the service book - that should have the correct information in it.

maneesh · April 6, 2004

I was told it's every 60k/5 years by my dealer. That sounds expensive! It's normally £300 at a Lexus dealer, unless they are trying to con you!

The manufacturers established 60k as an interval for many engines since in experiments and other observations, the average time to failure was somewhere in the region of 60k, so they figured that's good enough. In some new engines, the interval can be as much as 80k.

However, the original LS400 engine was non-interference, meaning if the belt snaps you are not left with bent valves etc. Not sure if the newer models are the same. The belt will have become tired with age even though you might not have done a lot of mileage.

Either way, prevention is better than cure.

ColinBarber · April 6, 2004

For all new Lexus engines it's 100,000 mile interval.

SpeedyJ · April 6, 2004

Strange, mine is a LS400 MK III too (1995). The belt is to be changed every 150000 km which is about 100.000 miles...So says the manual and so says the Lexus dealer. I never heard that time would be an issue but I agree...prevention is better (and cheaper ;-))

Speedy J

ColinBarber · April 6, 2004

Lexus/Toyota use different intervals in different countries. In the UK the cambelt interval was 60,000 (63,000) miles up to the year 2000 now it's 100,000 miles

SimonR · April 24, 2004

I'm advised that the material of the belt degrades over time and that the time interval is as valid as the mileage interval. I'd always err on the side of caution with timing belts as the damage to your pocket if one breaks could be serious.

Chris Skelton · April 24, 2004

I guess we have to remember (with an LS400, but others too?) that we're driving a potent car. That's why we enjoy it, isn't it?

It IS a 4 litre V-8 remember!

It might be one of the sweetest engines around, but it is still a £50k car, not a Cortina-sorry, Mondeo! showing my age!

My belt cost £314, (plus the Blairtax on top) last year. Did it on age ground; it's a series 3, 95 car, with only 54k miles, but 8 years old.

Peace of mind really. I like to keep everything up together, (except the CD display!)

Perhaps I should search this site for a new one of THOSE too?

Chris Skelton. Shirehampton,Bristol

chips229 · April 24, 2004

Peace of mind really. I like to keep everything up together, (except the CD display!)
Perhaps I should search this site for a new one of THOSE too?

Chris Skelton. Shirehampton,Bristol

Your note alone mate,have the club done a group buy for the clock/temp display?