# Timing Belt/chain?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 9, 2007, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835 "2007-08-09T00:48:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kneller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ce73a5/32.png) [@kneller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kneller)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2007, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835/1 "2007-08-09T00:48:02Z")

</div>

I have a 1999 Lexus RX300. My mechanic could not tell me if I need to change the timing belt. Can anyone help me? It’s a V6 3000 4 Cam 2400 engine.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835/2 "2007-08-09T01:02:06Z")

</div>

The Gates website lists a timing belt for this engine. Your owner’s manual should tell you the proper interval for replacement. I’d say it’s time for a belt, just based on the age of the vehicle.

How come your mechanic can’t look it up in his database?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kneller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ce73a5/32.png) [@kneller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kneller)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835/3 "2007-08-09T02:34:28Z")

</div>

Thanks for the reply. My mechanic only had books to look in and he couldn’t find an answer. I will get the belt replaced.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2007, 3:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835/4 "2007-08-09T03:53:00Z")

</div>

I hope he uses a MODEL specific repair manual to change the timing belt, such as Haynes or Chilton’s. And the maintenance scheduled listing the timing belt should be there, also.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Megan\_Shook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Megan\_Shook](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Megan_Shook)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835/5 "2007-08-10T15:18:49Z")

</div>

When my son was stranded by a broken timing belt, I adopted the practice of always changing it at the recommended interval (or somewhat before!). Good thing you are going to have it done!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Craig58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@Craig58](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Craig58)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-chain/2835/6 "2007-08-10T17:51:29Z")

</div>

If your going to a toyota mechanic and he doesn’t know which engines have a chain or belt and the replacement interval, you need a new mechanic.