Timing Belt Change: Cost

[Joshua22]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am looking to buy a Lexus LS430 but it is due for its timing belt change. I have contacted Lexus Exeter and they quoted that it would be "£762.00 inclusive of VAT. If you wanted the water pump replaced as well this would be an additional £254.00". 

 

This seemed quite expensive to me, especially as I asked how much the timing belt kit was, and they said £72... but I thought that was just for a single timing belt and not the whole kit?

 

I have a quote from a Lexus approved, independent garage local to me for £847.95: timing belt and coolant pump (labour and parts, VAT included). Do you think this is a fair price and does it matter with the timing belt to use Lexus genuine parts, or is after market for this type of thing of acceptable quality?

 

I am based in the Plymouth area, but am willing to travel within a 20 mile radius to get a better deal. Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Best wishes,

 

Joshua22 

[ColinBarber]

13 minutes ago, Joshua22 said:

does it matter with the timing belt to use Lexus genuine parts, or is after market for this type of thing of acceptable quality?

I'm sure most after market belts are fine, but given that the engine would be damaged if it snapped I'd be using a genuine belt from Toyota/Lexus - the extra cost isn't that significant compared to the overall cost.

[Malc1]

Joshua welcome …… it’s about an All Day job for a competent mechanic ……. there’s a lot involved BUT it should last 100,000 miles til next time 

The radiator is best changed at 100k miles too as preventative maintenance ……… to factor into your likely costs

Theres a great deal of information on this Forum about the Ls430 

Best wishes

Malc   

[Spock66]

Personally I would pay the extra £150 or so for the Lexus dealer, I would also ask for a discount (they can only say no).

2 hours ago, Joshua22 said:

I have a quote from a Lexus approved, independent garage local to me for £847.95

I don't believe there are any Lexus approved independents, only independents that may claim to be specialists in Lexus.

[MaximusPrime]

Hi Joshua, there's a little checklist that Lexus have for minor / major service, the Full 40, 60, 80 and 100 all have timing belt replacement on them, and the "100" service package should cost around the same as what you've been quoted for the timing belt alone! Sometimes it's cheaper to book a "full / major" service and have the components replaced through that instead of booking individual component services if that makes sense.

The added bonus is that you get an oil and filter change, spark plugs replaced (Full 40, 60 and 80 only), coolant changed (100 only), transmission fluid replaced (if applicable), and much more. See if you can open or print the doc from the attached link and hopefully one of these packages ticks all the boxes for you:

Lexus - ECO poster 12-07 (lexus-europe.com)

[scythe]

If it's this model you want, don't let this put you off buying this particular car.  Use the cost to push down the purchase price as much as you can. If you buy the car, get the belt changed and possibly the water pump and radiator too, then you'll have a car that you know for definite has had these really important service items changed. 

Enjoy!

: o )

[skyway]

hi.... theres always the diy route with an asin kit going for 200

 

 

[Malc1]

30 minutes ago, skyway said:

hi.... theres always the diy route with an asin kit going for 200

 

 

Yep ……. a likely simple afternoon “ stroll in the park “ job for the average home mechanic 😂

Malc 

[skyway]

its only the crank bolt that can caused a bit of trouble,,,I recon if you can undo one bolt, you can undo lots

and I got an asin kit flying towards me from the US....I think it looks more daunting than it is.

I have done one before it was a while ago 🙂

 

 

[steve2006]

The cam belt was the only job I didn’t DIY on my previous 1994 Celsior, when the local garage gave me  £100.00 labour quote I purchased all the parts and let them do it.

Took them nearly 2 days but they honoured the price.

Fortunately my present Celsior had the cam belt replaced shortly before purchase along with the air suspension conversion to springs, a factory stainless steel exhaust as a bonus and various new suspension/ brake components.

 

[MaximusPrime]

Hi Joshua,

Here are the most recent official figures for each service package that Lexus offer for LS models, the 100,000 mile one at £770 has the most "big ticket items" on it, including the timing belt replacement. I've highlighted those in bold, looks a much better value (if we can call £700+ "value" these days!) than the £415 service.

100,000 miles at £770:

• Carry out 100K/120 month full service as per schedule.
• Includes:- Replace engine oil & oil filter.
• Inspect drive belt.
• Replace engine timing belt.
• Replace windscreen washer fluid.
• Check all fluid levels & top up as required.
• Inspect Battery for leaks, security of clamps & terminals.
• Inspect cooling system, hoses & connections.
• Inspect radiator & condenser for debris & signs of damage.
• Replace engine coolant.
• Inspect air filter element.
• Inspect valve clearances.
• Inspect power steering fluid level.
• Replace brake fluid.
• Inspect brake pads & discs.
• Check brake pipes & hoses.
• Inspect fuel cap, fuel lines & connections.
• Replace rear differential oil.
• Inspect steering wheel, gear & linkages.
• Inspect drive shafts including CV boots.
• Inspect ball joints & dust covers.
• Inspect wheel bearings.
• Inspect wheel alignment.
• Inspect front & rear suspension.
• Inspect for under vehicle and under hood fluid leaks.
• Check exhaust system for security & leaks.
• Check all tyre pressures (including spare if equipped).
• Check wheel rims for damage & tighten wheel nuts to correct torque.
• Check operation of hand brake.
• Check brake pedal travel.
• Check operation of lights, horns, wipers & washers.
• Check function of all warning lights.
• Inspect glass and light lenses.
• Replace pollen filter.
• Check seat belts for damage & operation.
• Check operation of alarm system.
• Check installation of driver's floor mat.
• Replace remote control Battery.
• Carry out wash & vacuum.
• Carry out visual safety report.

80,000 miles at £770:

• Carry out 80K/96 month full service as per schedule.
• Includes:- Replace engine oil & oil filter.
• Inspect drive belt.
• Replace windscreen washer fluid.
• Check all fluid levels & top up as required.
• Inspect Battery for leaks, security of clamps & terminals.
• Inspect cooling system, hoses & connections.
• Inspect radiator & condenser for debris & signs of damage.
• Inspect engine coolant.
• Replace air filter element.
• Inspect power steering fluid level.
• Replace brake fluid.
• Inspect brake pads & discs.
• Check brake pipes & hoses.
• Inspect fuel cap, fuel lines & connections.
• Replace rear differential oil.
• Inspect steering wheel, gear & linkages.
• Inspect drive shafts including CV boots.
• Inspect ball joints & dust covers.
• Inspect wheel bearings.
• Inspect wheel alignment.
• Inspect front & rear suspension.
• Inspect for under vehicle and under hood fluid leaks.
• Check exhaust system for security & leaks.
• Check all tyre pressures (including spare if equipped).
• Check wheel rims for damage & tighten wheel nuts to correct torque.
• Check operation of hand brake.
• Check brake pedal travel.
• Check operation of lights, horns, wipers & washers.
• Check function of all warning lights.
• Inspect glass and light lenses.
• Replace pollen filter.
• Check seat belts for damage & operation.
• Check operation of alarm system.
• Check installation of driver's floor mat.
• Replace remote control Battery.
• Carry out wash & vacuum.
• Carry out visual safety report.

90,000 miles at £415:

• Carry out 90K/108 month intermediate service as per schedule.
• Includes:- Replace engine oil & oil filter.
• Inspect drive belt.
• Replace windscreen washer fluid.
• Check all fluid levels & top up as required.
• Inspect Battery for leaks, security of clamps & terminals.
• Inspect cooling system, hoses & connections.
• Inspect radiator & condenser for debris & signs of damage.
• Inspect air filter element.
• Inspect charcoal canister.
• Inspect brake pads & discs.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid.
• Inspect steering wheel, gear & linkages.
• Inspect front & rear suspension.
• Inspect for under vehicle and under hood fluid leaks.
• Check all tyre pressures (including spare if equipped).
• Check wheel rims for damage & tighten wheel nuts to correct torque.
• Check brake pedal travel.
• Check operation of lights, horns, wipers & washers.
• Check function of all warning lights.
• Replace pollen filter.
• Check seat belts for damage & operation.
• Check installation of driver's floor mat.
• Carry out wash & vacuum.
• Carry out visual safety report.

[Howplum]

I changed the timing belt etc. myself a couple of years ago. It took a few days, but wasn't overly complicated,  if I recall correctly.  I found the instructions on a US website and I used a kit from Rock Auto. The only specialised tool I needed was something to lock the crankshaft, so I used a piece of angle iron bolted to the front flange, which I might still have somewhere. 

[Howplum]

My journey for this job starts on page 8 this topic:

There might be some differences for the LS430, but at least it can be done by a DIYer.

 

[Razor61]

On 10/10/2023 at 11:16 AM, MaximusPrime said:

Hi Joshua, there's a little checklist that Lexus have for minor / major service, the Full 40, 60, 80 and 100 all have timing belt replacement on them, and the "100" service package should cost around the same as what you've been quoted for the timing belt alone! Sometimes it's cheaper to book a "full / major" service and have the components replaced through that instead of booking individual component services if that makes sense.

The added bonus is that you get an oil and filter change, spark plugs replaced (Full 40, 60 and 80 only), coolant changed (100 only), transmission fluid replaced (if applicable), and much more. See if you can open or print the doc from the attached link and hopefully one of these packages ticks all the boxes for you:

Lexus - ECO poster 12-07 (lexus-europe.com)

I'm not sure the cost of replacing the Timing Belt is included in the 'fixed price' servicing or 'service package' cost.
In the 'ECO Poster' there is a 'condition' with an * for timing belt replacement 'Additional charges may apply.....', this maybe also applies the 'service package' mentioned by Max.

[ColinBarber]

Lexus once gave different pricing for the different major services to account for additional items such as spark plug, coolant and timing belt changes (as Max posted). But even then there was always an extra charge for timing belt.

In the last couple of years they have removed all this and gone to a seemingly flat rate for all - simplifies the pricing model but means an owner would pay over for a basic major service (e.g. 20k) and over for an expensive one (e.g. 60k). I'm not sure in reality it works like this but Lexus also no longer think about timing belts as all their vehicles in the last 10+ years have use chains.

If you were to try and book a service and expect a timing belt change then either they won't do the belt, give you an extra charge or refuse to do the service. A Lexus dealer isn't going to perform a loss making service.

[Mikaelse]

On 10/11/2023 at 1:03 PM, skyway said:

its only the crank bolt that can caused a bit of trouble,,,I recon if you can undo one bolt, you can undo lots

and I got an asin kit flying towards me from the US....I think it looks more daunting than it is.

I have done one before it was a while ago 🙂

 

 

I have done Two. It is a lot of work but not really difficult if you have done simmilar jobs and you should follow some of the good writups with pictures on the procedure to make it easier.
I used the AISIN kits. The first one I did was now 8 years ago and 50.000 miles since.  I plan to do it one more time after a total of 10 years. 
These cars do not have as much brittle plastic stuff as modern cars do but some cables and connectors can be a bit brittle so handle with care.  I replaced no rubber hoses etc when I did mine. They felt perfectly fine after 20 years of service!

I made a tool for the crank bolt . It cost me some stuff from hardware store at a total of 12 £ and drilling of two 8 mm holes.

Do check all the bearings for stuff for the serpentine belt. ALSO ask a tech doing the job for you to do that !.  It is easy when you are in there. Takes a minutes. Just spin stuff and feel for noise, harsh feel or dry hissing noise. Should be smooth and completely silent
Hence spin ,  Alternator, tensioner , idler , fan bearings , freewheel bearing in AC comperssor, servopump. I had to replace bearing in tensioner or whole tensioner and the idler bearing on Both LS400. This is a bit annoying since If you need to buy stuff you are stuck waiting for delivery. Hence when I did nr two I checked the stuff before I started doing the timing belt. The serpentine belt is a 5 min jobb to take off and 5 minutes to put back . Hence you can do a quick check a few weeks before doing the timing belt so you can order any new stuff you need to be all set with all the parts. A failed bearing on the serpentinestuff will not kill the engine but it will ruin your day for sure and may break some more stuff. 

On a LS430 it is really recommended to replace the radiator if it is original ( it is already out while doing the timing belt) since it is prone to failure leaking coolant into the Transmission.
This will kill the transmission fast if it happens. The radiator is not expensive from third party suppliers. I would not buy the cheapest one.