davincity

Guys I really need help. My LS has approx 220k miles, runs absolutely fantastic with a few exceptions. I noticed small drips of oil for months, and then one day it was just really bad. I had a mechanic come look at it, he said it was the oil pan gasket or crankshaft seal. So he replaced the gasket for $150, then said "how come your mechanic didn't change the seal when they did the timing belt"? He asked for another $120 to put a seal blocker, then the next day says it will only work for a few days ( 2 days so far and no leaks). Now he wants $1500 to replace the crank seal. I'm sure I can find someone to do it for around $500, but I'm wondering if this whole process is even worth it, or should I sell it or if he is even right about it being the crank seal, or what the heck he put in to block it. The guy had a translator who was no help also, I couldn't understand what they were saying, so I just left. I heard these can go to 300k+? Any informative paragraphs to help me understand anything will help me so much, I'm a young college student on my own! Thanks everyone!

Kingsoup

Hey there! I'd work on tracking down exactly where that leak is coming from. My new from Japan Celsior is also pissing oil out of the front main seal. I'm sure you can find someone to change it for under 500$, they are consumable parts that only last so long, once its done I'm sure you have many more miles to go! cheaper then getting something newer that has had unknown level of maintinince.

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

What is a seal blocker!? I've been a licensed mechanic for over a decade and never heard of that... Is that like headlight fluid and muffler bearings? And why was it $120??

Did he replace the oil pan gasket or the crank seal! And which seal, front or rear main seal?

Sounds like you are being taken for a ride.... Go find a new shop with a good rep and see what they say.

LScowboyLS

even the real main seal job, which is 10 times harder to replace, shouldn't cost $1500

and sadly, most mechanics and even the dealership do not typically replace the cam seals and crank seal, although they should. This job is about 70% of the labor portion of the timing belt job and about $25 in parts.

johnnyg66

If its coming from under the motor center in front than can be crank seal. Mine was leaking there too for awhile my shop i trust confirmed it and so i went with a entire TB change, Good thing too my water pump had been leaking too.. It cost me less around 700 total.

I think it runs better now least that annoying on/off grinding noise is gone. Was the pump dying.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Does this also apply to the 4.3 in the LS430? Something smart to do as well?

LScowboyLS

I recommend changing crank & cam seals every other timing belt, so if my LS had a timing belt replacement interval of 90K - then I would replace those seals at 180K, 360K, etc.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. Mine was just done 10k miles ago but I will keep this in mind when it comes time to do it again.

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

That's one of the few things the cowboy and I agree on....

Every 2nd timing belt is usually when you change the cam and crank seals. They tend not to last much longer than 130-150k miles and when they start to go, they can cause the timing belt to swell and stretch, then break if left unattended long enough.

Rear mains follow the same sort of life interval which sucks because it is a much bigger job to do.

LScowboyLS

Not on LS400 - there are all kinds of Club Lexus members who have 350K+ original miles and are still on their original rear main seal, with very little or no leakage - if these were going out all the time at 130-150K, there would be people squawking about it in every other thread!

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

Constant load/speed conditions do a wonders for extending the life of a seal over a rotating surface.
Seals used in a wider range of rotation loads/speeds will typically won't last longer than the range i specified. Higher mileage cars obviously fall into the former category due to a large amount of steady highway driving. Romping on the gas and driving the bag off the car will shorten the life of the seals on anything that rotates.

And there are few threads, going back many years, on here about leaking rear mains. Obviously not as many as on a Jeep forum but it's not like its a completely non-existent problem either....

Aeok18109

Dude my build Mildred is doing EXACTLY that. Hence why the reason i have to do all of it in the first place. Your "mechanic" is a friggin HACK. Hes riding you around like a horse and calling you dirty names all the way to the bank.

My LS is literally pouring oil from right under the crank seal. turn the car on (after you top it off with oil) and you can literally watch it pour from right under the little cover smack dab in the bottom center of the crank pulley. im doing T belt,water pump, both cam seals and the crank seal when i finally get time to do it all.

just to be sure also doing plugs wires and valve cover gaskets. its an expensive job for sure but one that is well worth the money. if ive learned anything in the short time ive had this car is that its durable as hell. if taken care THEY DO NOT DIE.