99RX300'd

hello,
I took the car to the mechanic just so he can take a look at a slow leak the 96ES has... he said something about it being a seal...the trans would have to be dropped( forgot the name of the gasket) run about $700
Anybody hear of this before?

JSM1284

Rear main seal?

99RX300'd

not really sure...thinking that might have been it.... there was a little oil leak to the right of the oil pan...wasn't in the rear but front...

99RX300'd

Is this common for these vehicles?
Also, is it worth fixing, especially when it doesn't require me to add oil?

Lexmex

There is a product from Liqui Moly called motor oil saver, http://store.interautopartssd.com/mo...b37cddb9def8f8

that I have used with my RX300 to clear up compression issues, but I have recommended it to a few people to put in the oil (and use a slightly higher weight oil) to help seal up the leaks. Another thing is Auto-RX, http://www.auto-rx.com/ that a low of the RX300 owners have used in our forum to help with this issue. It's worth a shot over just plaining shelling out cash.

99RX300'd

Hi Lexmex,
I've heard about products such as these...do they really work?
It seems that some people love them and others say they're harmful to the engine (IE: Lucas engine treatment).

Lexmex

The AutoRx has been talked about in a positive light for the most part on www.bobistheoilguy.com and we have had several people use it in the RX300 forum who have the rear main seal leak.

Some of those other things like Lucas, at least for their oil stabilizer, I know that works quite well in large trucks. It depends a lot on the vehicles. The Liqui Moly stuff I got exposed to in Mexico, where it is sold at a lot of outlets and that really helped out on a compression issue I had with my piston rings due to me not running an air filter (I did so because of high altitude). The oil saver only cost about $5 USD or so.

JCC511

Trying the Liqui Moly Oil Saver on my '95 ES 300. I had a puddle of oil earlier today. I think it is seeping around the head gasket. I may need to get a dye test done to verify the leak.

mitmaks

Sounds like rear main seal leak. Only proper way to fix is to replace that seal

JCC511

Is that a difficult DIY?

ES300NZ

replacing the rear main seal is a major job. It requires that you
1. remove all plastic trim low down, and the stone shield, remove the axles,
2. remove the steering rack bolts.
3. remove the lower arms, and
4. remove the sub-frame (major).
5. remove the gearbox,
6. remove the flex plate.
7. replace the $30 oil seal lubricated with oil (get a genuine part, seriously, it matters).
8. put everything back.

It's easily 40 hours work. maybe 25 hours if it's two experienced people. I would be gutted if it was my car, I'd try every snake oil product I could find to avoid doing all that. It's DIY possible, but it's a serious job.

PFB

I had that job performed at the Lexus dealer several years ago on my 2001 ES300. Took the dealer 7hrs total. So it's not that bad. They also lend me a Lexus for free for the duration of the repair.

Also, since he took the transmission out, he also replaced the front transmission seal for good measure. Even though it wasn't leaking. At least that's what he said.