Valley leak question?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 199
From: DFW, TX
Valley leak question?
I'm researching and trying to learn what I can about the GX460 as I plan to buy one in the next year. I've read to look out for the valley plate leak or make sure it has already been fixed prior to purchasing. My question is, if it does get fixed, is it fixed for good or is it something that even if fixed it will eventually fail again at some point?
Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 23
From: Texas
I've been considering a GX460 and have read everything I can about issues to consider and if/when they were resolved by Toyota. From what I can tell, by 2016, the issues with coolant leaks (valley plate) and oil leaks (cam tower and timing chain cover) seem to have been resolved. I'm not seeing any reports of failures on the "newer" model years. I had already ruled out 2010-13, although the 2013 gets mostly good reviews, but there were still some coolant and oil leak stories in 2014s with them starting to subside with 2015. I won't pay what they want for the 2020 interior face-lift, so I'm narrowing my search to 2016-19. Just my two-cents worth...
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 402
Likes: 269
From: NC
I've been considering a GX460 and have read everything I can about issues to consider and if/when they were resolved by Toyota. From what I can tell, by 2016, the issues with coolant leaks (valley plate) and oil leaks (cam tower and timing chain cover) seem to have been resolved.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 250
From: AZ
It's probably some level of risk that it happens again at the same mileage, but if it's another 100k+ miles in the future before it needs to be addressed again, there's a whole host of other issues that you could also worry about. The overall reliability of this vehicle is probably the absolute best you can find for a full size SUV, but every vehicle has something.
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Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 23
From: Texas
True, that all of them will eventually have an oil leak, but my '05 Suburban has never had an oil leak at over 230K miles, so that leads me to believe it was the seal material or design. The 4.7l in the GX470 also wasn't prone to these leaks, but it had a cast iron block; not aluminum.
However, as some have said; if you don't have any other failures, it's probably still cheaper to maintain than just about anything else. Oh, and my Suburban had to have the transfer case actuator replaced and you rarely hear about that on Toyota products; so there's that...
However, as some have said; if you don't have any other failures, it's probably still cheaper to maintain than just about anything else. Oh, and my Suburban had to have the transfer case actuator replaced and you rarely hear about that on Toyota products; so there's that...
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Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 23
From: Texas
Oh, that's a bummer and I'm so sorry. It looks like a very slow leak (since it's crusted), and if so, you can probably put it off for a while, but definitely monitor the coolant level carefully.
You mentioned the estimate from the dealership, but was that a Lexus or a Toyota dealership? In my experience, the Toyota dealer can do the same job and sometimes it's as much as 50% cheaper. I had to have an alternator replaced and the Lexus dealer quoted $1,100 and the Toyota dealer in the rural town I was in quoted $560.
You mentioned the estimate from the dealership, but was that a Lexus or a Toyota dealership? In my experience, the Toyota dealer can do the same job and sometimes it's as much as 50% cheaper. I had to have an alternator replaced and the Lexus dealer quoted $1,100 and the Toyota dealer in the rural town I was in quoted $560.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 208
Likes: 128
From: Texas
Oh, that's a bummer and I'm so sorry. It looks like a very slow leak (since it's crusted), and if so, you can probably put it off for a while, but definitely monitor the coolant level carefully.
You mentioned the estimate from the dealership, but was that a Lexus or a Toyota dealership? In my experience, the Toyota dealer can do the same job and sometimes it's as much as 50% cheaper. I had to have an alternator replaced and the Lexus dealer quoted $1,100 and the Toyota dealer in the rural town I was in quoted $560.
You mentioned the estimate from the dealership, but was that a Lexus or a Toyota dealership? In my experience, the Toyota dealer can do the same job and sometimes it's as much as 50% cheaper. I had to have an alternator replaced and the Lexus dealer quoted $1,100 and the Toyota dealer in the rural town I was in quoted $560.
And I'd be weary of an indy (unless they are Lexus specific) - in any regard MAKE SURE you get a written warranty if any issues arise after these extremely complex jobs on these $15K engines. I read another thread where a head gasket job went bad due to a bad part. Not sure how an indy would handle that TBH (blame the part, then you are stuck with a second $5K labor cost) - but the Lexus dealer made it right no questions.
And even though my repair is out-of-warranty, I've also enjoyed the free brand-new RX350 loaner for the 2 weeks my truck has been in the shop (closing in on 2K miles now). That benefit probably won't happen at Toyota or with an Indy, and a valley plate repair will take more than one day IIRC. Food for thought.
