Does anyone know the reccomended mileage to change a timing belt for 1995 Lexus ES300 with a 3.0 v 6. The car has 147000 miles on it and I know the timing belt was changed in 2002 but have no idea of the mileage. The owner's manuel does not mention it for Schedule B maintinence and only states it should be inspected at 60000 for Schedule A maintinence, which is for severe service. How long do these things usually last and does any body know if this is an engine it will hurt if the timing belt breaks? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
timing belt replacement interval for 1995 lexus
- Thread starter fordexplorer
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I'll only say that
- I would replace any belt (TB and accessory/serpentine belt) that is older than 5 years of has been in use for more than 80k miles
- a rubber belt degrades usually after 5 years to the point that it should be replaced (some belts "may" be safe to use longer)
- it is not necessarily the belt that goes bad, but a bearing (whatever is driven by the TB) or a belt tensioner fails and then the belt skips or breaks
- the accessory belt may also destroy the TB if it breaks
I have no idea if your Toyota has an interference engine.
- I would replace any belt (TB and accessory/serpentine belt) that is older than 5 years of has been in use for more than 80k miles
- a rubber belt degrades usually after 5 years to the point that it should be replaced (some belts "may" be safe to use longer)
- it is not necessarily the belt that goes bad, but a bearing (whatever is driven by the TB) or a belt tensioner fails and then the belt skips or breaks
- the accessory belt may also destroy the TB if it breaks
I have no idea if your Toyota has an interference engine.
I think most Toyota timing belts are to be replaced every 90,000 miles. Not sure about your car or Lexus.
I have a feeling that it is, but I'm not sure either.
Gates claims it's non-interference, but I'd look for a definite answer on a Lexus forum to be sure, because the Gates guide isn't always correct. Reading those types of threads might also give you an idea of when they usually break on that engine.
If it's non-interference, I'd probably end up doing it every 90,000 to 120,000 miles, depending what I find out about that engine's typical belt life.
If it's non-interference, I'd probably end up doing it every 90,000 to 120,000 miles, depending what I find out about that engine's typical belt life.
I have a 96 ES300 and just had timing belt and water pump replaced at about the same mileage as yours. Didn't have service records, so I wanted to be safe. Turns out, the timing belt had been changed at some point but wasn't a Toyota belt, so despite the cost, I can rest easy for another 100K miles. BTW, you need to change your oil regularly. That's the infamous 1MZ-FE engine that's bad to sludge. By the way, the Lexus is a great car.
90K is the scheduled time for the t-belt to be replaced and that engine is a non-interference design. It will not bend valves if the belt fails.
Kestas
Staff member
My Gates catalog indicates that the belt manufacturer suggests timing belt replacement every 60K, and the engine is non-interference.
Try your query on a Lexus-specific web site. Timing belts replacements are often discussed in detail.
Try your query on a Lexus-specific web site. Timing belts replacements are often discussed in detail.
I'm sure the same P/N belt would be able to last 105k miles in CA. My '93 Mazda w/ an interference engine - replace at 60k for all states; CA inspect at 60k, replace at 105k. They don't make CA specific belts; one P/N only.
Yes its due to emissions warranty requirements, yet you don't hear tons of stories of belts breaking at 60,001-104.999 miles.
Yes its due to emissions warranty requirements, yet you don't hear tons of stories of belts breaking at 60,001-104.999 miles.
Thanks everybody for the info. I have found out that the timing belt was replaced at around 75000 in March 2002 at a Lexus dealership. I will plan on changing the oil and filter more often than what is reccomended.
It will be way cheaper to have the belt and water pump and tensioners etc as needed when it is "apart" than to have to fix it when it breaks or the waterpump leaks at some unplanned time and or place.
I was told the only Toyota engine that is interference is the V-8. Not sure if that applies to the new Tundra engine or not.
Actually, I'm pretty sure this is not one of the sludge engines. The years affected were 1997-2001.
If you look at Jonness' thread a couple of pages down in this forum, he has a '96 Avalon with the 1MZ-FE engine that was severely sludged. Agreed the 1997-2001 engines were more prone to sludging because of redesign of the heads for emissions purposes, but the pre-1997 V6s also had problems, just not as often.
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