I thought a long time about posting this but finally figured it might be worth it if even one person follows the advice and saves themselves a chunk of change.

A strong recommendation: as you get within about 2,000 miles (or kilometres) of the mileage limit to your drivetrain warrantee (60,000 miles in US, 110,000 km in Canada), get a mechanic to put your car on a hoist and inspect the engine and drivetrain for oil leaks (and, obviously, anything else that appears wrong). If there is oil smear around the engine in the general area of the oil filter, get to a Lexus dealership and have a “diagnostic inspection” performed to ensure that you do not have the dreaded “Timing Chain Cover Gasket Leak”. If you purchased the car new at that dealership you should be OK. If you purchased it at a different Lexus dealership, you may be OK. If you purchased it used from a private seller or non-Lexus dealership, you might be OK.

With the odometer reading about 109,000 km I happened to notice an oil smear on my garage floor. Thinking it may have come from a different vehicle, I looked in from the top of the engine and could spot oil staining in the general area of the oil filter. Thinking it was probable that the person who last changed the oil mis-torqued the filter I decided to get to my local Toyota dealership for an oil change (the nearest Lexus shop is 200 km away and it was due for a change anyway), I set up an appointment for the oil change. As it was in the busy season over Christmas I couldn't get in until just after New Years. The shop changed the oil, took a photo and told me I had the blessed “Timing Chain Cover Gasket Leak” (dun, dun, dun, duuuu). I called the nearest Lexus shop and explained the situation to them (by now the mileage was 110,200 km). They said as they did not sell the car then they had nothing to offer me except condolences as Lexus of Japan (!) were very rigid about the 110,000 km limit but that I might be able to get a “Good Will Warrantee” from Lexus of Canada. I sent the photo of the leak taken by Toyota and explained the situation to Lexus of Canada and they said that they could not work with photos taken by a Toyota dealership (like, Toyota knows nothing about this problem with the 2GR series?) and I'd have to get a Lexus diagnostic inspection. (I guess they must be speshul). (sp)

By the time I got an appointment with the Lexus dealership, the odo was now at 110,680 km. They took their photos, confirmed the Toyota finding of an actual leak (not a “seep”, “weep”, or “stain”). With that in hand I resent the info to Lexus of Canada who responded with “good luck, chuck”, it's over the 110,000 magic number. I pointed out that it had obviously been leaking prior to 110,000 as witnessed by the garage floor stain...no joy; they had to have it properly diagnosed BEFORE the magic 110,000 rolled up on the odo.

So, I will be “out of pocket” about $5,000 Cdn/$3,500 US; (the leak is making a mess of the bottom of the engine where it gets flung by the half shaft. Now, I'm not looking for sympathy...I figure I purchased the car at well over $5,000 below current prices for equal options/model year/mileage so I'm not really all that badly off. I'll be getting the job done before the end of the month. I got quotes from Toyota (same price), and from an independent shop who claim to have done this job before (but I know they won't have the computer programing info in case something needs to be reset after the completion) so it will be Lexus who gets the cheque.

Like I said at the beginning...whether you bought new, used, dealership or private, be sure to get a thorough inspection BEFORE you get to the end of the drivetrain warrantee. It'll be worth it. I know we've all been moaning about the loss of the 2GR engines going into the future (if you watch the CCN video on this problem you'll know what design “feature” causes this problem) but if you are unlucky enough to win the kewpie doll, you have a chance of catching it before it costs you directly.

NHTSA website info: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...79601-9999.pdf
Car Care Nut video:


The mess after the initial diagnosis by Toyota and with only 280 additional km driven. Note that most of the leakage occurs when the engine is running and the oil is under pressure.



ps: one other interesting thing I found...while the instruction manual tells you guys to change your spark plugs at 60,000 miles/6 years, Lexus Canada use 192,000 km (120,000 miles) and 12 years! No explanation given but I'll keep asking.

Cheers! Keep the shiny side up where it belongs.

 

That's probably why they are only second on customer service and not first (I should have chosen Lexusarcastic as a username).

 

That sucks they did that to you. they shouldve covered it for you. i wonder if that cover relies on manual application of sealant, prep of surface etc. i wouldn't trust that the tech working on it would have CCN level of care and that this issue wouldn't return. i'll have to go watch that video and see what causes it, unless you can summarize it here.

 

Kewpie doll?

 

Kinda like a "booby prize" (get your mind outa the gutter!) LOL. Actually it's a phrase that used to be associated with the prizes given out by the carnival barkers at the sideshow. Goes back a long way. From wikipedia,

• "
  Celluloid Kewpie, c. 1930s: These were often given out as prizes at carnivals."

 

Sorry to hear that @Tootsall Was the decision final? Maybe you could request a "Goodwill" assistance reconsideration from higher level management. Try using AI to draft a formal request letter, especially since this seems to be a common issue. Specify that you attempted to have this inspected before the mileage warranty limit but were unsuccessful.

If you end up paying for the repair, ask for a detailed invoice/receipt with millage and store it somewhere safe. If this issue is later classified as a recall, manufacturers typically reimburse customers who paid out of pocket.

Also, make sure to file a report with NHTSA to help increase visibility. This could eventually contribute to a recall decision helping you and other customers:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

Finally, you could file a complaint with the BBB. I've had success with that approach before, as reputable accredited companies usually prefer to resolve legitimate complaints in favor of the customer.
https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/plano/prof...-0875-90537346

 

Decision was final from Lexus Canada Corporate. Thus, NHTSA also not applicable. Transport Canada tend not to get involved in these things although they generally set their standards (fuel economy, emissions, safety) based on NHTSA standards. This would more likely fall under Consumer Protection Act which is about as useful as t*ts on a boar. Already have copies of both Toyota and Lexus “diagnostic” inspections c/w photos and vehicle details. Parts on order…”coming from California(!?)” and currently scheduled for work to start this Friday provided parts arrive on time. Yes it is a pricey lesson but I’ve generally been lucky with no major repair bills on this brand (Xtra Cab pickup, three different Corollas in family, two Camrys, and now two Lexus) and do have budget for something like this. (You can’t take it with you!). Probably be the last IC car (or any other kind), I ever own given age (mine) so might as well take care of it now. Besides…I really like driving it.

 

@Tootsall thank you for posting this, it's excellent advice for any ES V6 owner to have their car checked when close to the end of the warranty period.
What year is your 7ES? I have been wondering if the '20 '21 model years were dinged in CR for this leak.

 

Interesting…I did not see that although if you look up the repair it seems to apply to all of the V6 including RWD and 4WD models of all variants of the 2GR engine so…? As CCN explains (and others), it is the result of the 4 overhead cam design that causes 3 different castings coming together at the same location and the difficulty getting a lasting seal at that spot. Could be that Toyota finally (5 years before end of production) figured out how to seal properly but..

 

What year is your ES?

 

Uh..lmy signature?

 

ok be easy on me here, I'm obviously missing it. Where is the model year? I see MY signature and that you JOINED in 2019.....

 

That signature was NOT in the posts I've previously seen as you can see from the screenshot I copied directly above.

Regardless, it agrees with Consumer Reports showing high rate of Major Engine failure for the 2020 Model Year

 

Well dang! I thought if it is there (and it is), everyone could see it. 2020. Sorry about that…I can see everyone else’s. Is there a setting I don’t know about?

Also, I joined in 2019 with a 2014 ES; obviously in the Gen 6 forum

 

I can see your signature now - I have no idea what was going on. Weird.
If I remember correctly, the CCN said it was difficult to seal the TTC properly due to the design, but I also remember somewhere along the line hearing there was a problem applying the sealant back in 2020. I really wish Toyota/Lexus would step up in your case and do better.