Pre purchase inspection for timing cover leak
02-26-19, 03:52 AM
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Pre purchase inspection for timing cover leak
Looking to buy a 2012 RX360 with 68k miles. Car is in good shape with good service records. I am worried about the timing cover leak issue and was wondering how to best determine if this is an issue on this vehicle.
How can you determine if this is an issue. There are no records of oil leaks in the service records.
if it’s not leaking at 68k does that mean it won’t leak or is this a problem that can manifest at any time. Seems like a lot of folks experienced it early when they had it and others never had an issue at all.
any help or advise is appreciated
How can you determine if this is an issue. There are no records of oil leaks in the service records.
if it’s not leaking at 68k does that mean it won’t leak or is this a problem that can manifest at any time. Seems like a lot of folks experienced it early when they had it and others never had an issue at all.
any help or advise is appreciated
02-26-19, 06:56 AM
#2
Moderator
You have a couple of options.
Have a shop that specializes in Toyotas do a pre purchase inspection. Variations of this motor are used in many Toyota & Lexus vehicles. They will know where to look. You should get this inspection done anyway to see if there are other issues you can then use to negotiate a lower price or free repair.
If you want to try yourself, The timing cover is on the side with the drive belts. Get a flashlight, remove the engine covers and look down from above and up from below for any oil leaks. This is usually a very tiny and slow leak that leaves little residue. It is also usually not worth repairing as it will never leak enough oil to damage the engine if you check the level every month, which should be done anyway.
As Pat Goss of the TV show Motorweek has said many times, "Anything can break on any car at any time". So you cannot predict if or when this may happen. It really does not happen that often.
Have a shop that specializes in Toyotas do a pre purchase inspection. Variations of this motor are used in many Toyota & Lexus vehicles. They will know where to look. You should get this inspection done anyway to see if there are other issues you can then use to negotiate a lower price or free repair.
If you want to try yourself, The timing cover is on the side with the drive belts. Get a flashlight, remove the engine covers and look down from above and up from below for any oil leaks. This is usually a very tiny and slow leak that leaves little residue. It is also usually not worth repairing as it will never leak enough oil to damage the engine if you check the level every month, which should be done anyway.
As Pat Goss of the TV show Motorweek has said many times, "Anything can break on any car at any time". So you cannot predict if or when this may happen. It really does not happen that often.
02-27-19, 02:24 PM
#3
Driver
I don't have my RX handy to confirm, but if I recall correctly, you turn the steering all the way to the left (making a hard left turn if you drive forward), you can look through the passenger side wheel well between the tire and the front door. If it's leaking it should show a wet/dirty section just in front and above the driveshaft.
Anybody else chime in here to say whether I am right or wrong?
Anybody else chime in here to say whether I am right or wrong?
02-27-19, 03:24 PM
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Thanks. I’m going to have the guy out it up on the lift to give it a good look. I want to check the ol cooler lines as well as the timing cover leak.
02-28-19, 05:27 PM
#5
Moderator
You only have the oil cooler if you have the towing package. If you have the rubber lines, do replace them with the metal ones. The parts are under $100.
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