alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Youre welcome...glad it worked out for you

dtroshin

@alchemist for the bolts is there a specific torque spec on any of them especially the surge tank? or just a good snug on everything? thanks

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

you can snug them but if you're **** it is Torque: 28 Nm (286 kgf-cm, 21 ft. lbs.)

kiwi

did this, this morning, great instructions.

i have one tweak.

when you remove the throttle body, don't remove the coolant hoses. there is enough room to push it off to the side. this will save you time since you wont have to top up the coolant / clean up a mess. there is still room to inspect and clean the throttle body.

took me right around 2.5 hours.

Dengineer

This is a must have to do this job. It makes the job relatively easy. Completed this yesterday, no problems. I used a box end Gear Wrench to take out and install the rear surge tank stay bolts. Not sure I could have done it without those.

Thanks for the post.

Now, maybe the same for a timing belt change?

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Well here u go when youre ready:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-second-generation/737102-tackling-mt-everest-timing-belt-water-pump-change-diy-w-pics.html

RamAirRckt

Talked to my friend who works at Lexus and said he puts the RX on the lift and drops the rear cradle to gain more access in the back. Said he can do plugs on an RX in about an hour.

Wish I had a lift!!!

RamAirRckt

A comment on the downloaded instructions on doing this. From Lexus technician (THE first hired in my state back in 89). DO NOT USE ANTI SEIZE on the plugs. It significantly changes the torque on the plugs. Do not at all.

robbyk

I just had all of my 6 spark plugs replaced at the Lexus dealership for $270 (parts and labor) plus $100 (deductible).

Here is how it happened..
Two weeks ago after a few hours of rain during the night both of front headlights assembly showed signs of moisture inside. I knew there was a warranty extension and brought the car to the dealer for inspection.The driver's side headlight assembly had a bit of moisture but by the time I showed up to the dealer the moisture was pretty much gone. The service adviser indicated that in order to replace the headlight under the warranty extension program there had to be evidence of moisture, since they could not see moisture on both HL assembly only the passenger's HL assembly was replaced under the program.
During this process they conducted a visual inspection and was advised of an oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket and main seal. I did not think much of this because there were no oil drips in the driveway where I park the car. I have a limited extended warranty in the vehicle which covers major components and that I have almost never used, there is a $100 deductible per incident. To be quite frank I was pretty sure oil leaks were not covered.
Three weeks later I took the car to the car wash, an hour later I noticed condensation / moisture in the driver's side HL assembly. Before taking the vehicle to the dealership for the HL moisture I decided to read what was covered and what is not covered in the extended warranty. The search was inconclusive I was not able to see in the document if oil leaks were covered. So picked up the phone and called to speak to an agent. The agent asked all of the pertinent questions and to my surprise he told me to take the car to the dealership of my choice and have them call for authorization.

I immediately took the car to the dealership so they could see and document the condition, I know the warranty extension on the headlights is coming to an end in the month of October 2015 so this was perfect timing.
The Lexus dealer took the car for the driver's side HL, provided a loaner. Lexus obtained authorization to replace both valves cover gaskets and the mail seal. When I received the call from the dealer indicating that everything was approved I asked what would be the cost to replace the spark plugs while replacing the rear valves cover gasket, I figured it would not be that much because the extended warranty was picking up the labor. Lexus indicated that the cost to replace the spark plugs while they were there would be $270 in addition to my $100 deductible. Without hesitation I approved the replacement.
So they replaced my driver's HL assembly, main seal, both valves cover gaskets, and spark plugs; all of this for $370. They also had to perform alignment, part of the process of dropping the tranny.
When I picked up the vehicle and saw the invoiceable amount of what was done I almost went thru the roof, the total bill was close to $5,000.

jamislow

Mission Accomplished...thank you for your effort and tips.

RamAirRckt

One addendum to the instructions, don't break coolant, just unbolt the throttle body and move out of the way. No worries, worked fine for me.

Just waiting on the new PCV valve so I can put it back together....

I tried to do it without removing the intake, but I just couldn't do it. My friend at Lexus said it can be done, but I just couldn't. Wasn't worth it. The back support bolts weren't fun. The 14mm one wasn't bad at all, the middle one, the 12mm, was a pain. I used my through hole socket set and it worked fine.

chrisp

This guide was perfect.
Took about 4.5 hours working leisurely. I didn't unhook the coolant lines either.
Those back two bolts were I nightmare to get out - easier to put back in.
I used a 14mm stubby on the one and a 12mm adjustable ratchet on the other.
One tip I saw on another video was to tie fishing line to those two bolts just in case you drop them down behind everything.
Plugs looked in pretty good shape for just over 120K miles.

Flomaster

Thanks Alchemist for the great info on what I need to replace my spark plugs and other necessities.

Flomaster

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

you bet man, glad it helped

mandyfig

This is a pretty good guide. However, I had it done with a TECH and cost me $150 plus the plugs. The best way is to take out the cowl and the intake. Of course right, they do this every single day at the shop. But now that I have seen it, it is pretty straight forward.