Ray O RX300 timing belt

[Nick C Topolos]

Ray, I also have a RX300 with about 47K miles on it. I have done the
5,000 oil and filter changes and the dealer (Nor Ca) did the 30K
service. I am concerned with your comment about the life of the timing
belt. I have just been looking at the FRM about changing the timing belt
and realizing it is a lot different than replacing a Dodge 360 timing
chain. My plan is to have the timing belt replaced with the 60K
service. Do you have knowledge of this belt failing prematurely? BTW,
this car has had the cleanest color oil in my over 55 years of driving.
Does the sludge problem start with a blacker oil?
Thanks, Nick

[Ray O]

Ray, I also have a RX300 with about 47K miles on it. I have done the 5,000
oil and filter changes and the dealer (Nor Ca) did the 30K service. I am
concerned with your comment about the life of the timing belt. I have just
been looking at the FRM about changing the timing belt and realizing it is
a lot different than replacing a Dodge 360 timing chain. My plan is to
have the timing belt replaced with the 60K service. Do you have knowledge
of this belt failing prematurely? BTW, this car has had the cleanest color
oil in my over 55 years of driving. Does the sludge problem start with a
blacker oil?
Thanks, Nick

I am not aware of any premature (time and mileage) timing belt failures.
What model year is your RX?

The sludge problem starts with extended oil change intervals, which results
in blacker oil, which neglected long enough, will result in sludge.

[Nick C Topolos]

Post by Ray O
I am not aware of any premature (time and mileage) timing belt failures.
What model year is your RX?
The sludge problem starts with extended oil change intervals, which results
in blacker oil, which neglected long enough, will result in sludge.

Ray, It is a 1999.

[Ray O]

Post by Nick C Topolos

Post by Ray O
I am not aware of any premature (time and mileage) timing belt failures.
What model year is your RX?
The sludge problem starts with extended oil change intervals, which
results in blacker oil, which neglected long enough, will result in
sludge.

Ray, It is a 1999.

Nick,

How long, time and mileage, until 60,000 miles?

If you are concerned about the condition of the belt, you might be able to
loosen the upper timing belt cover enough to sneak a look at the timing
belt's condition.

[j***@hotmail.com]

Unless a pulley or water pump seized up you're probably not going to
see a belt failure before 60K miles or even 120K miles (some owners to
200K miles). But the belt does stretch a bit and it's a good idea to
replace it 5yr/60K miles even if the interval spec'ed more. Some of
these engines are interference and can be damaged if a belt snapped.

It would be a good time to inspect or just simply replace the oil
seals, water pump, valve cover gasket set, PCV valve/grommet and
pulleys at the same time. But you may be able to do that every other
timing belt, depending on the condition of the components.

Sure, blackened thickened oil is the start of the oil sludge problem.
The problem is the higher cylinder head temperature Toyota needed to
pass newer emissions standards. So while traditional sludge starts in
the oil pan, Toyota sludge starts in the cylinder head. You can
inspect the oil passages while the valve cover gasket set is changed.

As a result of the sludge problem in 2004 ALL Toyotas are required to
change oil every 5000 miles instead of the 7500 miles earlier to
maintain warranty.

Post by Nick C Topolos
Ray, I also have a RX300 with about 47K miles on it. I have done the
5,000 oil and filter changes and the dealer (Nor Ca) did the 30K
service. I am concerned with your comment about the life of the timing
belt. I have just been looking at the FRM about changing the timing belt
and realizing it is a lot different than replacing a Dodge 360 timing
chain.  My plan is to have the timing belt replaced with the 60K
service. Do you have knowledge of this belt failing prematurely? BTW,
this car has had the cleanest color oil in my over 55 years of driving.
Does the sludge problem start with a blacker oil?
Thanks,     Nick

[Nick C Topolos]

Thanks, Ray and John,
I will have 12 years on the belt before it reaches 60K. It is the best
riding car I have ever owned and was my retirement gift to us. Trouble
free except for tires and battery. I wouldn't be as concerned except I
understand this is an interference engine. It does get driven on the
freeway a couple of time a week. I have been very faithful about
changing oil/filter every 5K

Post by j***@hotmail.com
Unless a pulley or water pump seized up you're probably not going to
see a belt failure before 60K miles or even 120K miles (some owners to
200K miles). But the belt does stretch a bit and it's a good idea to
replace it 5yr/60K miles even if the interval spec'ed more. Some of
these engines are interference and can be damaged if a belt snapped.
It would be a good time to inspect or just simply replace the oil
seals, water pump, valve cover gasket set, PCV valve/grommet and
pulleys at the same time. But you may be able to do that every other
timing belt, depending on the condition of the components.
Sure, blackened thickened oil is the start of the oil sludge problem.
The problem is the higher cylinder head temperature Toyota needed to
pass newer emissions standards. So while traditional sludge starts in
the oil pan, Toyota sludge starts in the cylinder head. You can
inspect the oil passages while the valve cover gasket set is changed.
As a result of the sludge problem in 2004 ALL Toyotas are required to
change oil every 5000 miles instead of the 7500 miles earlier to
maintain warranty.

Post by Nick C Topolos
Ray, I also have a RX300 with about 47K miles on it. I have done the
5,000 oil and filter changes and the dealer (Nor Ca) did the 30K
service. I am concerned with your comment about the life of the timing
belt. I have just been looking at the FRM about changing the timing belt
and realizing it is a lot different than replacing a Dodge 360 timing
chain. My plan is to have the timing belt replaced with the 60K
service. Do you have knowledge of this belt failing prematurely? BTW,
this car has had the cleanest color oil in my over 55 years of driving.
Does the sludge problem start with a blacker oil?
Thanks, Nick

[Ray O]

Post by Nick C Topolos
Thanks, Ray and John,
I will have 12 years on the belt before it reaches 60K. It is the best
riding car I have ever owned and was my retirement gift to us. Trouble
free except for tires and battery. I wouldn't be as concerned except I
understand this is an interference engine. It does get driven on the
freeway a couple of time a week. I have been very faithful about changing
oil/filter every 5K

I think that 12 years is kind of pushing it as far as trusting the original
timing belt. I think that it would be worth the time to remove a few bolts
that hold the upper timing belt cover in place and take a peek at the belt.
If you see cracks on either surface, glazing, metal strands showing, etc.,
then go ahead and have the belt replaced.