98 GS400 Timing Belt

[skee]

I see alot of info and photos on changing a LS timing Belt. Anyone have anything for the GS with pics to help me get familiar once i start pulling components off?? I let the dealer do it the last 2 times (ya 351k and counting), figured i would hammer it out myself this time.

 

[stevechumo]

Is your engine VVTI? I haven't worked on the VVTI, so if yours isn't a VVTI, then you can use the instruction for the LS on your GS.

 

[Lextreme II]

Here is a link on VVTi SC400 (1998). It is the same engine. http://lextreme.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11758

 

[scfou]

Here is a link on VVTi SC400 (1998). It is the same engine. http://lextreme.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11758

Lextreme, there's nothing attached to the website you've provided. Also, do you know how hard is timing belt install?

 

[Lextreme II]

I am working on an article on it. It is the same as the earlier model. There are marks on the cam gear covers and TDC. Match them up and rotate the engine two times and see if the marks still align. Triple check everything. Sorry missing link....

 

[scfou]

Thanks for the pictures.. The pictures look pretty scary alright, Lol.. How much time and labor do you think it'll take at a regular auto repair shop? I just don't know if I'm capable or have all the necessary tools for the replacement. It seems like a big job.

 

[Lextreme II]

Follow these instructions:

http://lextreme.com/timing.htm
http://lextreme.com/timing2.html

The newer engines are very similar to the older. Marks are little different but basically the same.

 

[scfou]

Timing Belt Replacement on SC400 VVTi.

Wait... Don't get excited just yet. But I wanted to mention that once I hit 150K and am able to find a garage to use for a day or two, I will document my timing belt replacement. Why 150K? Because I figured the timing belt had to have been changed at least at 60K (the more the better of course), and with Lexus recommending a replacement at 90K, that should leave me with just a little over 15K miles to go with currently 135K on the speedometer. I will take pictures and provide step by step instructions on how to swap the belt. Stay tuned!