BCLXSMR2

Hello I am the 3rd owner of a 2008 gs350. The carfax had a good service history was always serviced at the dealer. Now it has come to my attention after 2 low oil warnings that my REAR MAIN SEAL OIL PAN GASKET AND TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET are leaking....I've got about a 200 dollar less quote than that of the dealer of 1200 plus tax for the rear main seal...should I go with a dealer fix or can this be fixed by another mechanic. I opted for the dealer bc I'd get a loaner car. Anyhow what do you think?

I also have a funny smell when I accelerate I've heard it could be the catalytic but I took it to a muffler shop and they said it wasn't and suggested I buy 40 dollar fuel injector which didn't help...

LX470Mack

How many miles are on your vehicle?

Rear mains are rare and yours must be prolific to affect the oil level.

XJSFan

I would try Maxlife 5W30 for a 3K OCI and keep a close eye on the oil level. This may slow down or even stop the rear main leak...

BCLXSMR2

hi thanks for the reply! I'm at a little under 156000....my second mechanic said it could be leaking from somewhere else and not necessarily be the rear main seal ...something about the oil blowing back by wind. I was going to take it to the dealer and get a check it costs about 175 though for it bUT i figure they can check everything per Lexus standards

BCLXSMR2

yeah....right now the warning light has been on for about 2 or 3 weeks now that reads "oil maint reqd" I thought maybe it was time for an oil change but the tire shop/Automotive shop I was at said it's the rear main seal oil pan and transmission pan gasket

BigBoy740

OP,
Your choice comes down to the reputation of the independent mechanic and that of the dealership. What is their experience with doing work on Toyota or Lexus and their customers' reviews on the quality of their work? What kind of warranty will the mechanic offer? The dealer offers a nationwide warranty that the repair is done to Lexus's standards. The dealer loaner sounds good on paper but you should also take into consideration how long the repair will take. A loaner vehicle for 3-4 days is ok, but an extra $200 for 1-2 days is not financially feasible to me. From my experience, warning lights should never be ignored for a day, much less 2-3 weeks. Your oil is the "Blood" of your engine and having it low enough to trip the warning light meant its 3-4 qts low and decreasing lubrication to the crank, pistons and camshaft bearings.

XJSFan

When "oil maint reqd" light comes on it means change the oil... That should be reset after every OCI because it comes on around every 7500 miles.

Sodium

You can get an oil leak detection kit. You put a dye in the crankcase, which mixes with the oil. When the oil then leaks out and you illuminate it with the UV light, he dye will fluoresce brightly. Then you trace it back to the source of the leak

Here's one you can use: http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=TRATP-8621&source=froogle&kw=TRATP-8621&gclid=CjwKEAjwgtTJBRDRmd6ZtLrGyxwSJAA7Fy-h_kZjdd6whLVPzzO0-yOXH-WJapdWPHxUIIuKDqwcfhoC75Dw_wcB

I'm sure your mechanic will do the dye test if you're not comfortable doing it

XJSFan

Check the valve covers..