nbizzle

So, I bought a 2001 Lexus ES300 from my boss. 163,000 miles, I paid $1,500.00. It's been in his family most it's life and aesthetically it's near perfect. However, according to the lexus dealership, which is where he got all his work done, the crankshaft seal, rear main seal, and valve cove gaskets are leaking bad. In the front below the valve covers it's a total mess, there's oil all over the bottom. It's a mess. I mean you can smell the oil burning sometimes.

I've gotten a quote from another mechanic to do all those seals, along with the timing belt kit because it'll be open, for $2,610.51. Is that worth doing? I was thinking about not doing the rear main because it's the most expensive, depending on how bad it is actually leaking there...what are your thoughts?

Also, my main question is, WHY are all these seals leaking? It hasn't towed anything. I've seen older Lexus's with more miles that don't have any leaks..he said he wasn't heavy footed...any idea why a lexus would have all these seals failing?

I look forward to the input..I put new back brakes on it already, pus registration, so I'm into it for about $1,870.00 now. Should I just flip it...

Thanks for your input.
Nate

LeX2K

Seals tend to leak after 18 years not doing regular oil changes speeds up the degradation. I would get the cam and crank seals done along with the valve cover gaskets if the rear main leaks then you can decide if you it's bad enough or not to spend money fixing.

nbizzle

About what I was thinking. Because I think the rear main is a separate job entirely, meaning I wouldn't save anything by having it done at the same time.

Do you think $1,577.97 is a good price for all that? That would be without the rear main.

LeX2K

I do all auto repairs myself so I'm not in the loop when it comes to cost. But given the amount of work to do a timing belt job that doesn't sound out of bounds depending if that includes parts and what parts. Has the timing belt on your car ever been done?

Nad1370

nbizzle

Yes, I know the timing belt has been done. I believe it was done at recommended times. Which would mean at 163k, it's almost due, Shop suggested I get it done again since they will have it exposed while doing the rest of the work. Are these interference motors? Meaning, if the timing belt goes will it destroy my engine or no?

Crankshaft oil seal
camshaft seal
crankshaft gear or sprocket
valve cover gaskets both
spark plug tube seal
timing belt
water pump
timing belt tensioner
timing belt idler pulley

All for that 1577.97 as long as they don't say it's more since I'm not doing the rear main for $1032

LeX2K

Need to know brand of parts there are some of dubious quality out there especially timing belt component kits. Here's mostly what you need (also consider getting the bypass hose replaced)
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...696&cc=1387076
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...920&cc=1387076
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...924&cc=1387076
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...592&cc=1387076
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...952&cc=1387076

The Beck/Arnley seals are Toyota OEM parts in a different box.

nbizzle

True. Thank you