rmk9785e

A local shop in northern California has advised me that my RX300 (95k miles) needs the following services performed to replace:
Valve cover gaskets (both) - $666
Oil pan gasket $333
Timing Belt $1,101

Are these prices reasonable?

mpezely

NO....Way overpriced. Don't walk....RUN

salimshah

Always ask for parts, material, labor breakdown. There may be disposal fees too. You can call Lexus or Toyota dealer and get their quote. Labor a Lexus is $120/hr or more and billed in half-hour increments.[always rounded up].

I doubt that you have a pan leak and most likely you have a valve cover leak. You may like to just stop at valve cover fix and see if the leak stops altogether. Shop may be correct that you have a pan leak but many times it is hard to tell. Valve cover leak is easy to diagnose as it is at the top.

Timing belt parts and labor are all over the place as it may or may not include replacement of water pump, idlers and tensioner.
Valve cover gasket, may or may not include spark plug seals and spark plugs.

The prices do seem high, but part of it depends on the quality of parts.
Another issue could be the hidden charge ,,, like pan gasket charge would include oil change.

Salim

Australian

I have had week off work and spent every afternoon on cleaning just getting the paint up to spec and haven't got much detailing done in engine bay so you can spend a lot of time on maintenance over and above how often these things play up. I tend to drive my car into ground and then restore it every other year.

TexLex2003

Recently had valve cover gaskets and plugs with tubes done,
by Davenport motors in DFW they only work on Lexus and Toyota.
Was just under $900 and that was with 20% discount for covid 19 discount just before Memorial Day.
We could smell the oil dripping onto the exhaust, so it surely was a valve cover gasket leak.
They did a good job but from what I read above seems expensive.
and FYI my RX300 is a 2003 and had 114,800 miles at time of service.

salimshah

Cant say if the charge was too much as it all depends upon what was replaced. Spark plug set replacement is by itself $$$ [three digits].

Salim

Phantom410

Timing belt sounds correct, assuming water pump and tensioner was replaced as well.
Valve gasket seems slightly high, but the oil pan gasket is definitely overpriced. Gasket itself is 10$ish and takes maybe an hour/hour half tops to take off, clean surface, and replace gasket.

Cheers

Australian

Apart from the timing belt the gaskets mentioned would be the easiest ones on the car which would be suspicious where is the leak? I assume the timing belt was recommended due to millage and you just don't know?

rmk9785e

Yes. I was advised it is time to replace the timing belt at this mileage. Probably the age of the car was a factor too.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Most places replace the water pump while they're in there, especially after 21 years. Timing belt and water pump typically run around $1000 (maybe a little more if they replace all the idlers and tensioners, which you should). Dealer will likely charge as high as $1500 for both.

Margate330

A lot of these are DIY for average skill difficulty.

It is fun to build up a tool collection and save money on DIY.

Australian

What you should be paying for is motor oil and transmission oil and filter changes. Maybe the occasional sensor when it is running bad. Dont be suckered by these gaskets as 100% they will just take your money and do nothing. Take it elsewhere no matter what now.

salimshah

Valve cover gasket starts leaking around 100k miles.

The timing belt is not in oil environment and thus has no gaskets ... some covers have packing which can be re-used. The down side is that the train of rollers and tensioner are not lubed .. other than at the time of manufacture. I end up replacing them.

Salim

rmk9785e

I took the car to a shop and they concluded that the leak is in the rear (right) valve cover gasket. I guess we will have both replaced. What is the preferred brand of gaskets to install?

salimshah

Keep in mind if the mechanic purchases the parts, they give you warranty on parts replacement too. If you purchase the parts then on failure, you have to pay the labor the second time.

f you are not going with OEM, I would suggest Felpro.

There are other things to consider ... like chasing the spark plugs [recommended service at 110-120k miles].

There are seals in the valve cover for spark plug tubes. I would replace them as well. Felpro valve cover gasket set comes with seals for the tubes.

Salim