Another rear main seal?
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Another rear main seal?
2001 RX 300 AWD -160,000 miles - first issues with this baby. See Pics.
Started to notice a smell 3 days ago and was 1/2 qt oil ( Mobil 1 5W/30) low yesterday. Took to friend at Jiffy Lube tonight and was a quart low this time. I did drive about 200 miles in-between.
Inspecting it - Seemed to leak as soon as we wiped it.Then checked the bolts and noticed they were loose so we hand tightened what we could reach, topped off with oil and left.
Came here and read posts for the Auto-Rx treatment and will give it a go for kicks and grins. My gut tells me it will need to be replaced. In the meantime I plan on using cheap 5W/30 Dino oil.
I am seeing posts estimate repair cost between 1,000 - 1,500. Is this about right at an independent or Toyota dealer?
Feedback or suggestions are welcome.
Started to notice a smell 3 days ago and was 1/2 qt oil ( Mobil 1 5W/30) low yesterday. Took to friend at Jiffy Lube tonight and was a quart low this time. I did drive about 200 miles in-between.
Inspecting it - Seemed to leak as soon as we wiped it.Then checked the bolts and noticed they were loose so we hand tightened what we could reach, topped off with oil and left.
Came here and read posts for the Auto-Rx treatment and will give it a go for kicks and grins. My gut tells me it will need to be replaced. In the meantime I plan on using cheap 5W/30 Dino oil.
I am seeing posts estimate repair cost between 1,000 - 1,500. Is this about right at an independent or Toyota dealer?
Feedback or suggestions are welcome.
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Yup, that looks like rear main... Try the Auto-RX, I think it'll seal it up. Your leak seems bigger than others, but Auto-RX is an amazing product. I've never believed in additives, till Auto-RX, although that's still the only additive I trust.
#4
Moderator
Keep us posted.
Salim
#7
Rookie
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=carguy07;5943355]What bolts did you tighten?[/QUOTE
There are 4 bolts/nuts around the bell housing that I tightened with a wrench. In one of the pics one is covered in oil.
From what I have read this is not the cause nor will it affect the seal leaking.
Ordered the Auto-Rx this morning.
Will call for repair estimates as a back up to the ARX and see what happens. Will keep you posted.
There are 4 bolts/nuts around the bell housing that I tightened with a wrench. In one of the pics one is covered in oil.
From what I have read this is not the cause nor will it affect the seal leaking.
Ordered the Auto-Rx this morning.
Will call for repair estimates as a back up to the ARX and see what happens. Will keep you posted.
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#8
Moderator
The bolts you tightened will affect the angle the shaft has as it enters the transmission. The angle may make a difference on how the shaft exits the engine block and thereby impacting the seal.
Would it cured by tightening the bell housing ... not sure. In any case the bolts do need to be tightened.
Salim
#9
Rookie
Thread Starter
Salim,
Yea, I thought it prudent to at least tighten them and it slowed the leak slightly.
I am anxious too see if the ARX helps and will keep everyone posted. In hindsight, I wish I had known about the ARX product sooner for PM and wonder if by switching to full synthetic from the blend at 90K attributed to my seal leak.
I have no complaints - this is a great vehicle.
Yea, I thought it prudent to at least tighten them and it slowed the leak slightly.
I am anxious too see if the ARX helps and will keep everyone posted. In hindsight, I wish I had known about the ARX product sooner for PM and wonder if by switching to full synthetic from the blend at 90K attributed to my seal leak.
I have no complaints - this is a great vehicle.
#10
Rookie
Thread Starter
Update
Got my Auto Rx in and will begin using it after Thanksgiving. Got 2 estimates on replacing it.
1) $1,300-1,350 -
2) $ 1,000 - includes replacing front pump seal and all fluids.
Both are independents
The first claimed 20 man hours or 2-3 days, the latter said 2 days.
I am not familiar with the front pump seal so your thoughts are appreciated.
Last, since I am at 160 k should I consider doing anything else while they are doing this?
Thanks
1) $1,300-1,350 -
2) $ 1,000 - includes replacing front pump seal and all fluids.
Both are independents
The first claimed 20 man hours or 2-3 days, the latter said 2 days.
I am not familiar with the front pump seal so your thoughts are appreciated.
Last, since I am at 160 k should I consider doing anything else while they are doing this?
Thanks
#11
Super Moderator
Got my Auto Rx in and will begin using it after Thanksgiving. Got 2 estimates on replacing it.
1) $1,300-1,350 -
2) $ 1,000 - includes replacing front pump seal and all fluids.
Both are independents
The first claimed 20 man hours or 2-3 days, the latter said 2 days.
I am not familiar with the front pump seal so your thoughts are appreciated.
Last, since I am at 160 k should I consider doing anything else while they are doing this?
Thanks
1) $1,300-1,350 -
2) $ 1,000 - includes replacing front pump seal and all fluids.
Both are independents
The first claimed 20 man hours or 2-3 days, the latter said 2 days.
I am not familiar with the front pump seal so your thoughts are appreciated.
Last, since I am at 160 k should I consider doing anything else while they are doing this?
Thanks
Since you're going to have the tranny off, I'd take a look at the transmission seals (but don't get suckered into replacing them if there isn't a problem).
#12
Rookie
Thread Starter
Lexmex,
Is R&R of the Front pump seal standard for this repair? Not familiar with it but guess it's on the tranny side? Also, as an FYI, none of these places had good things to say about Auto Rx.
Perhaps it works and explains their bias.
Thanks All & Happy Thanksgiving!
Is R&R of the Front pump seal standard for this repair? Not familiar with it but guess it's on the tranny side? Also, as an FYI, none of these places had good things to say about Auto Rx.
Perhaps it works and explains their bias.
Thanks All & Happy Thanksgiving!
Last edited by lexus4us; 11-24-10 at 06:54 AM.
#13
Had my rear main replaced on my 2001 RX a few years ago for $700 at a Toyota dealer...it is all labor costs...the seal is about $20 dollars
I would reccomend a Toyota dealer....they know the engine/tranny well (highlander etc)
I would reccomend a Toyota dealer....they know the engine/tranny well (highlander etc)
#14
Lexmex,
Is R&R of the Front pump seal standard for this repair? Not familiar with it but guess it's on the tranny side? Also, as an FYI, none of these places had good things to say about Auto Rx.
Perhaps it works and explains their bias.
Thanks All & Happy Thanksgiving!
Is R&R of the Front pump seal standard for this repair? Not familiar with it but guess it's on the tranny side? Also, as an FYI, none of these places had good things to say about Auto Rx.
Perhaps it works and explains their bias.
Thanks All & Happy Thanksgiving!
What they are probably talking about in reference to the front pump seal is the converter seal. It's easy to change while the trans. is out and it's cheap. They wouldn't be talking about the front pump seal on the engine (the oil pump is behind the lower timing gear (on crankshaft)). What JCJR said about Toyota dealers is correct, they are not used to the insanely high labor rates of Lexus dealers and the trans. removal would be similar to a Highlander and even a Camry. For the cost of the gamble, I would still go with the Auto RX. Remember, It does it's job slowly, over an oil change or 2. If you saw how rock hard the seal gets you'd understand why it takes time to remove the deposits in the engine and soften the seals. But it does work, unlike most of the "Promised miracles" in the way of "flush specials" that only flush the money from your wallet.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Last edited by code58; 11-24-10 at 02:40 PM.
#15
Rookie
Thread Starter
I believe your observation is correct.
What they are probably talking about in reference to the front pump seal is the converter seal. It's easy to change while the trans. is out and it's cheap. They wouldn't be talking about the front pump seal on the engine (the oil pump is behind the lower timing gear (on crankshaft)). What JCJR said about Toyota dealers is correct, they are not used to the insanely high labor rates of Lexus dealers and the trans. removal would be similar to a Highlander and even a Camry. For the cost of the gamble, I would still go with the Auto RX. Remember, It does it's job slowly, over an oil change or 2. If you saw how rock hard the seal gets you'd understand why it takes time to remove the deposits in the engine and soften the seals. But it does work, unlike most of the "Promised miracles" in the way of "flush specials" that only flush the money from your wallet.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
What they are probably talking about in reference to the front pump seal is the converter seal. It's easy to change while the trans. is out and it's cheap. They wouldn't be talking about the front pump seal on the engine (the oil pump is behind the lower timing gear (on crankshaft)). What JCJR said about Toyota dealers is correct, they are not used to the insanely high labor rates of Lexus dealers and the trans. removal would be similar to a Highlander and even a Camry. For the cost of the gamble, I would still go with the Auto RX. Remember, It does it's job slowly, over an oil change or 2. If you saw how rock hard the seal gets you'd understand why it takes time to remove the deposits in the engine and soften the seals. But it does work, unlike most of the "Promised miracles" in the way of "flush specials" that only flush the money from your wallet.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!