rintintin

I've put a down payment on 2002 RX300, AWD, 107,000 mi., rides great, shifts fine, minty inside and out. Brought to my mechanic for look over, said tranny fluid smells burnt. My research shows first gens have tranny problem. Told the Toyota dealer and he has offered to do a flush, filter and fill with some special tranny fluid for well used trannies and the fluid maker will warranty 50% of cost of new tranny if it fails. My mechanic says if you change the tranny fluid get a warranty because the new fluid changes the dynamics of the tranny - otherwise don't change the fluid. For the first 68,000 miles this car was serviced by Lexus dealers and the tranny fluid was changed based on the service reports. For the last 40,000 miles and the second owner there are no reports.
For those who know this stuff, should I a.) walk away from the deal, b.) don't do the flush and fill and keep status quo, or, c.)do the flush and fill with 50% warranty and know in the future I'll probably have a $2000+ service bill.

Thanks for your help!

Dadikins

I wouldn't do a flush - do a drain & fill. Have them drop the pan & look for metal shavings.

The trannies were beefed up in mid 2001, and the majority of the failures are for the 1999-mid 2001 model years.

Good luck


Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android

code58

Bet a dime to a dollar that fluid maker has never put out a dime on that warranty. They have a pile of rocks and will look under EVERY one to find a reason not to make good on the warranty. Something like limiting the full replacement of trans to no more than $100. so that their exposure is no more than $50. If you delivered me a train load of those warranties, I wouldn't give you 5 cents for it!!! They've created a "Magic" fluid that fixes transmissions that are in danger of failing that's so secret no one else knows about it? I don't think so.