badman2205

I bought my first car last week, 1998 Lexus ES300 with 133k miles on it for $6000. Car is very clean and seems well maintained. There were no service records but the brakes are fine, just did an oil change, and I need to change the transmission fluid soon(transmisson fluid is dirty). Just wondering around this mileage does anything else need to get checked out with this vehicle? My main concern right now is the TIMING BELT, not sure when it was last changed and its a $500 job at the Toyota dealership. Also Im thinking about getting the sparks checked out. Your thoughts?

1989Lexus

Congrats on your car...

diamond92

get the timing belt done asap. spend a little now rather than alot later. other
than that sit back and enjoy.

Seize

Congrats on the ES and welcome to Club Lexus

Hacc

congrats....check if ur timing belt if its not in gud condition change it other wise no need...change spark plugs and transmison oil and transmison oil filter, change the break pads power steering oil.

Choas

Welcome to CL and since your from nj you should check out the NELOC section as well. Oh and post up those pics

badman2205

thanks for all the replies. I took it to get the timing belt changed today, he said everything is good EXCEPT the valve casket or covers where leaking oil and it needed to be repaired soon. To change the timing belt and water pump came up to $925 and the mechanic(Toyota dealer) is saying to change the valves is going to cost another $600. And he would also replace the spark plugs. Does this sound about right ? Or should I shop around for a better deal on the valve cover changing?

rembo

i had the valve cover gasket change and by the same time, they change the cams ( a cam kit isnt very expensive)

it cost me about 450$ done at the lexus specialist (50$/hour vs 110$ at the dealer)

Sammm

iTrader: (1)

here's what i did when i bought mine for maintenance @ 109,000 mi
timing belt, water pump, drive belts, etc.
spark plugs, pcv valve
seafoam
auto-rx engine
oil change
tranny drain and fill 3 times
power steering fluid replaced
coolant flush
replaced brake pads
replaced cabin air filter/engine air filter

now she runs like new!!!!!!!!!!

Trexus

Welcome to Club Lexus and congratulations on getting an ES 300. You'll definitely enjoy many many miles with your Lexus. Just keep up on the maintenance and she'll take good care of you...happy driving...

badman2205

thank you to everyone for your input

badman2205

Ok two weeks in I have changed the timing belt, water pump and cam seals. I was shown by that the transmission fluid was dirty(burnt) and needed changing. I took the car to aamco and I was advised that since the car's transmission has never been flushed before it would not be a good idea to do it now. I asked if it could be drained and filled and the mechanic told me that the new transmission fluid would try cleaning and might cause it to start slipping and other problems. Basically the mechanic told me that all I can do is wait for the transmission to start acting up then have it rebuilt??? Should I take it to someone else and get another opinion? I was thinking of draining and filling over a period of time, for eg. drain and fill today, then do another drain and fill in a couple weeks again for maybe about three times.

Also which transmission fluid do I use?
Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
Mobil Dexron-VI ATF
Mobil ATF D/M
Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF
Mobil ATF 3309
Mobil Type F ATF

mbogosia

I would do the drain and fill method instead of a full flush. That way you are slowly putting fresh fluid in and keeping everything lubed.

badman2205

i guess ill try that , gradually drain and fill, rather than wait for it to give out an have it rebuilt? any other suggestions?

Sammm

iTrader: (1)

for my tranny, i did drain and fill every oil change (3 times). the fluid was a little burnt, but now it is cherry red, just like you want it. i was going to do another drain and fill, but the fluid on the dipstick is the same color as out of the new bottle. i used toyota type-IV, but i think your tranny takes different fluid...

i also replaced the power steering fluid, as that was brown in color. now it's red also! you may want to consider doing this...