thadword

I was told by a lexus service adviser, after asking her to tell her mechanics to check the tie rods, any noise when starting the car, any leaks, etc... Within two hours, i was gone with a loaner, she called me back with a list: rear main seal leak-$1000, valve cover gasket-$883, engine mount-$225, front ball joints-$507, rear knuckle bushing-$600, dip stick o-ring-$123, and heater control- $247. So how severe is the rear main seal leak and valve cover gasket? and so on. Now i constantly watch my fluids and have extra synthetic oil around my garage, and i can't afford to get all this done at one time. Should i bite the bullet and rush to get these problems rectified or i can take my time and save the money to get it done? In the back of my mind i don't trust her and her list from her mechanic (at the local lexus dealership) and i believe they are making me feel the car is going to brake down any moment. So they want me to feel urgent to spent the money. I'm in no rush, and i'm not panicking, especially to spent money. So what's your response to this situation? (fyi '92 ls 400)

Bali26

Sounds like a scare tactic. Bring the car back and take to an independent mechanic to check rear main seal. Not an emergency if you keep an eye on the oil level.

thadword

Thanks Bali26. I'm way ahead of yah.

j stuff

iTrader: (5)

holy crap how much for balljoints?

$500?

I got the parts for like.. no more than $200 and the labor at a smaller shop should be no more than $100

my friend did my BJ's for $30

KdF

Valve Cover Gasket $883?????????


You got to be freakin kidding.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

The dealer always makes up a list of items. Some may be necessary, others can be marginal repairs. When it becomes $$$ items, verify with an independent if it's not obvious.

Ball joints aren't that much and I had mine replaced when I did the tie rod ends. Both were unnecessary given the miles on the car, I wanted to eliminate some front suspension possibilities so I did them. Do you have any signs of odd tire wear?

Rear main seal...are you getting leakage back there? It is a possibility due to age of your car.

jcrome04

Are you losing oil between changes?? If so I'd stay away from the synthetic. It burns off a lot faster than regular dino.

thadword

i do have some leakage, but not alot (just a few drops if that many). Age is a factor '92 ls 400 152k miles.