Hi I’m interested in taking over this car. Everything is good drives good but the engine has a weird sound and ping. The tick/ping occurs at 20seconds in the video. Anyways I would love your honest opinion on the engine and if I should be worried l. This will be my first car and don’t want to get myself into a car that needs engine replacements. Here’s the link to the video

https://imgur.com/a/v6-3-5l-lexus-es-250-2007-76k-miles-engine-sound-hC79LA9

 

That engine sounds healthy. Check the flex pipe for leaks.

 

So at 20 seconds that slight tick or ping is nothing to worry about. And if flex is bad do I still buy it

 

also this is how the engine sounded after it running for ten minutes

 

Sounds ok, the 2GR-FE is noisy, it has noisy lifters and injectors, nothing you can do about it.

 

Nothing to worry about

 

I agree, that sound isn't much. Can you get it out on the hwy and run it with the revs up around 4000 foe a few minutes. see if that quiets it some.

 

• I went 80mph it’s pretty quite other from road noise. It’s just a slight knock at idle that’s a little loud even when warmed

 

It is just a case of getting used to the new noises of this new to you vehicle. Change the oil every 5,000 miles and you will be fine.

 

is the engine oil supposed to be very thin. And light hard to see?

 

Yes, if it's like that then it's probably been changed recently. Find out from the owner when it was last done.

The 2GR-FE takes 5W30, I personally would use full synthetic because it's a little kinder to the engine and I don't need to worry if I go a few hundred miles over my oil change interval.

 

light and hard to see means that it is clean, I change the oil every 6 months 'cause most of my driving is in a mile or so. I must look in good sunlight to see the mark, maybe I am too old. Plus my wife NEVER exceeds the speed limit. 80 mph is good but you need to run it for a while, several minutes. Little bits and pieces get stuck in there and it takes a good oil flow to flush them out. If you use a freeway to work, that is healthy for the engine.

 

so I should be good also it seems like my cv joint is leaking

and my oil dipstick when I rub it against a paper towel some black sut comes out is that normal?

 

I thought you said it was clear. Black is dirt and burned oil. be sure that you wipe the dipstick clean and then put it into the sump. When you pull it out, it should be between the two marks on the stick. and clear, mine shows tan on the paper towel. If it shows black change the oil. Oil is cheep and engines are expensive. Any name brand oil is good, I use Mobil 1 5-30 full synthetic. The nice thing about synthetic oil is that all the molecules are the same size so there are no fat ones to get stuck in a oil journal some ware, I am sure that you will enjoy many miles and months with your ES350. It is quite a car.

 

That looks like a steering rack boot. I can see the drive axle behind it in the photo. Check and monitor your power steering fluid level. The rack may be leaking. Inspect the boot clamps to see if any are loose.

Find a great local independent Toyota or Japanese vehicles repair shop. Do not go to the dealer with a 15 year old Lexus. You are asking to have your wallet emptied with recommended repairs that are not needed and overcharged for what is needed but they will not differentiate between them as the service writers work on commission. Use Google and Yelp and ask friends to start your search if you do not already have a shop you like. You need to get this vehicle inspected if it has not already had a pre-purchase inspection, which it appears it has not received. How many miles are on it? Has the transmission fluid ever been changed? That is a weak spot as these get older.