Timing belt condition

[Morphyne]

So I bought an 05 gx470 with 97k on it for my wife. I have an 07 t4r sr5. Anywho, carmax did not have records showing that the t-belt had been replaced, lexus online said customer refused the service, AND there is no sticker indicating that it's been replaced.

BUT looking at the serp belt. It looks new. Zero cracking etc. Same goes for the t-belt. Except I could only expose the outside of the belt (couldn't see the ribs ).

So I think what happend is that the last owner refused the $3200 90k service and did it himself. Bc the belt look new and so does the radiator.

Any thouguts on this?

 

[46runner]

Or previous owner took it to an indie. Can you ask the previous owner?

 

[Morphyne]

No such luck

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Chances are you wont be able to tell the condition of the timing belt at all, even by looking at the timing belt itself unless the belt is starting to crack. I doubt the previous owner would spend a ton of money on the service only to get rid of the vehicle. It's possible, but unlikely.

This is the exact reason why before buying a car that is close to needing a big service, I always talk to the previous owner. If I can't, then I don't buy the car. No receipt? Can't say it was done.

 

[Morphyne]

Agreed. PO likely traded it to avoid the 90k service.

 

[SouthernSS]

My belt looked remarkably good even after 110k miles. I remember thinking to myself that it was perfectly fine, but I changed it anyway.

 

[IanB]

Unless you can confirm with the PO that it has been done, or the T-belt is any brand other than OEM, you pretty well have to assume it's original to be safe.

 

[bernieb90]

Mine looked OK with some minor cracks after 155K. catastrophic failures are rare, but the idlers could seize up, or the tensioner could fail.

 

[470SNC]

Even if it was done at an independent shop, they would place a sticker on the timing belt cover usually to indicate it was done. At 97k miles, you may be able to stretch it to 150k miles, but I would just get it done for peace of mind.

 

[JLee50]

I would want to change the belt anyway to make sure it has been done, and also to ensure that the idlers and water pump were new as well (I would do those with the timing belt).

 

[Trashcatmotorsport]

The timing belt kits are super inexpensive if you can do the labor yourself.

This is the kit for the 4.7 with VVTI

https://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-T...cture-Parts-/120805004131?hash=item1c208a1363

and non VVTI

https://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-T...cture-Parts-/120805008417?hash=item1c208a2421

With a little bit of research and patience, it is a task that can easily be done in a weekend.

 

[OCGX470]

to do or not do

I would prefer a GX with 100k and the TB done, than a 90k vehicle that needed it. Most people try to avoid that cha-thing to do it, hence why you find a lot for sale at the 90k mark, or 120 and they never did it and don't realize the repercussions of a failure.