pliversi

Long-time lurker reporting in. Is this terminal?

The car (RX-300 '99) has 150K miles on the clock and it started jerking a few days beforehand -- according to the wife. It finally gave up doing 60mph on the highway with a loud explosion and a trail of oil. Judging by the size of the hole and the flared metalwork it looks like it lost something. I attached some photos of the underside for your mechanical delight.

I'm assuming the engine is probably unrepairable due to its demise but I'm seriously considering replacing the engine as the bodywork is still good. The front shocks are a little noisy but most of it seems pretty good and I'm rather fond of the old dear.

Just wondering if anybody has experience anything similar or can give some pointers to getting her back on the road...

code58

Looks like it would almost have to be a rod that broke. That is the "upper oil pan" that is blown out. I would say a good used engine is in order (IF you can find one, but I would check it carefully if you do). Probably not much repair to that one.

Australian

I doubt you will be saving he motor due more to the fact it would be seized rather than the casing as once that oil is dumped it only needs to burn up what is in i to seize whole motor. You maybe able to save things like the head.

hypervish

Welcome to Club Lexus!

You need to find a used engine and slap it in there.

Does you wife warm up the RX, or just stick it in drive and go?

JAB

Please share with us whether the car has been conscientiously maintained (oil, plugs, timing belt, etc.) or whether it has been ignored.

imherenow

ouch...looks like an artery ruptured = bad.

99rx

iTrader: (6)

All i can say is WOW!

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

Engine threw a rod most likely. (From being loose) Did you find any car parts on the highway? Yep, like Hypervish mentioned, grab another engine and slap it in there. GL.

salimshah

Few things to keep in mind ... AWD and FWD engines have some external differences, so you cant mix and match.

Usually the engines have a core exchange policy. To avoid surprises discuss the state of your engine with the seller.


Salim

jolomo

My 2001 RX300 AWD needs a new engine. #2 cylinder has no compression and the compression in #4 and #6 is only about 150 psi. This was caused by very poor maintenance from the previous owner which is a family member.

I have found remanufactured long blocks on-line ranging in cost from $2400 to $3600 plus shipping and a core charge. Guarantees from 12 months - 12,000 miles to 4 years with unlimited mileage. AWD long blocks are always $200 to $400 more expensive.

Installation for a long block in about 20 hours. Also you need about $200 to $300 in other items: gaskets, fluids, hoses, etc

I am wrestling with other questions: Since the engine, transmission, front suspension come out from the bottom of the vehicle as a unit, what else should be done since it is all there easy to get to.

I have a late production 2001 that supposedly has the upgraded transmission. Should the transmission be gone through since it is out of the car? Mine works ok but has 133,000 miles on it.

What suspension or drive line components should be changed?

As I ponder all these possibilities, the cost just goes up but we like the RX!!

robertrios

iTrader: (11)

I would swap out just the struts for now and if you have the money you could get the transmission rebuilt but I would wait for it to go out, I doubt youll save much money doing it all now but then again im not sure I would definately ask the mechanic.