Qualified

Hi all,

I am new to the forum. I have an 04 RX 330. My wife was driving it and it was overheating it and unfortunately she didn't notice until it blew the motor. I am faced with a dilemma, do I rebuild it or do I swap it with another motor? I don't have the knowledge to do this myself, and not even going to pretend like I do. I saw some engines on eBay, but not sure if I should get one there or if there or somewhere else. I am looking to basically get this car running again.

Could you guys help me with the decision? I got a quote for $2500 to rebuild it by a friend of my brother, but I know you guys here would probably give me much better advice.

Thanks so much for your time.

lexus114

Is the friend of your brother qualified to handle the rebuild,along with any other complications that may arise? If so,that may be your best bet. But check your local bone yards, you may get lucky.

infinirx

I wish I could give you a direct answer. I am sure some one here can. But I would caution about who is dong the job. Make sure they know Japanese/Toyota and are not only working on Fords and Chevy's. I made the mistake on my Acura of having a non modern type mechanic rebuild the engine and within a few months the engine was needing to be rebuilt again. The Lexus engine bay has got so much going on in there. Not your usual Mustang.

Just putting it out there. I could be wrong, but I only go to a Toyota certified tech for stuff like this. I hope for the best in your rebuilt/or buy.

Qualified

The thing is I don't know if I go to a junkyard if I can trust the guy to give me a good motor without a problem. Also, I am not entirely sure what I'm looking at. If I got a motor that was missing a bunch of stuff, I would be out of luck with a junk yard, but I feel like on eBay, I'd have some buyer protection. I live in NYC, if anyone knows some one that could be of help.

lexus114

Thats why I asked if this guy was qualified, you dont want some shade tree mechanic doing this one.

infinirx

^^^ Right. Better that then having more messes to clean up.

Qualified

Does anyone know a guy person to take a look at the job in NY? Car is currently parked in the Bronx. I could take pictures of it if that would help. I thought about selling it as it is, but I don't think I would get that much for it. I'd like to repair it, but I want to make the right decision on which one to do. I gather that a rebuild is tough and I don't want to be quoted $2500 but for it to be messy. Also, I got quoted about the same from some company in New Jersey, but they look really sketchy. This whole situation is a mess.

infinirx

Don't rely on this small thread area. There is a whole east coast section of the site and plenty of contacts I think you can find on Club Lexus. You have your work cut out for you. Maybe a Google on Toyota Certified mechanics NYC or something similar.

lexus114

Start asking around for a reputable independent auto shop. Word of mouth may help you out here. I take it she ran the RX until it quit right? not a good scenario at all, that motor is toast.

Qualified

I posted in the North East section, thanks for the recommendation infinitrx.

She drove it until it couldn't drive no more.

stunt66

Like everyone else said just make sure the guy who does the rebuild is qualified. It's proabaly going to be hard to get a bunch of quotes but you should look into some repuatable shops and try getting a quote. For sure you'll save lots by going through a friend of a friend but that route has ended a lot of freindships. Last thing you want is to put money into a pretty new car and have to redo it all over.

lexus114

Women need digital dashes that talk,and tell you whats going on. I.E my 84 Chrysler Laser saved me one night. I was driving home in the middle of winter time,and the computer voice came on along with a ding & a message read out that stated engine temperature critically high! I was not paying attention to the temp. read out, The thermostat stuck temporarily so by the time I pulled over, it released and went back down again. I thought that was pretty cool though,at least I knew it worked! Lucky it was not summer time.

draco

When you do get someone, might it be an opportunity to put in a later motor (like a 350 engine instead of a 330 - not sure if at all possible mind you. I know it would fit etc but not sure of the computer mapping).

lexus114

Problem with that draco is; It`s an altogether different configuration. just a low a millage as possible 3.3 (200cid) should be fine.

Flyinhawk

The RX series Lexus were very poor when it came to drivetrain. Your best bet is to look for another car. The next thing to go on you if it has not already is the transmission. The awd system proved to be faulty