Brady555

I've had oil leaking ever since I got my 2006 is350 3 months ago. I've had to put a total of 4 quarts in over 3 months. I had it taken to a very reliable mechanic that worked for lexus for 25 years and he said I needed the timing cover gasket replaced to fix the oil leak. He said to check the oil every week and see how much it goes through, if it's bad come back and get the repair done. The leak seemed bad enough so I took it to the lexus dealership to get it inspected. They told me there is leaking from the bank 1 head gasket and bank 2 cam tower and they quoted me $4600 to have the repair done. While the other mechanic wanted to charge me $2500 for the timing cover gasket replacement. I'm debating on selling the car because if there is a blown/leaking head gasket I don't want to get the other parts repaired. There's no symptoms of a blown head gasket, everything runs very good, there's just oil leaking. Do you guys think Lexus lied to try and get me to spend more money?

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

the dealership is ALWAYS your most expensive option!
they will fix everything per the book, and charge you for it, though the only upside is that their labor is warrantied and they use OE parts.
there are indy shops out there that use OE parts as well so do more homework.

sounds like the dealership shotgunned the problem and just gave you the biggest fix they can since they know they can fix whatever leak is there with authorization to go as far as take your engine apart!
go to another mechanic!

4 quarts in 3 months is TOO often in my eyes...that oil is leaking that badly from those places.
and there is no way the timing cover is causing the leak. I suspect its the front main seal that is leaking then showing up at the cover.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

I would start looking for a good, used replacement motor in your area.

Here's just an example : https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-LEXUS-...AAAOSwuINbRmHQ

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

whitebeast

iTrader: (5)

The thing is his problem is not come from the timing cover. With that much of oil add to the engine in 3 months is more than timing cover. It sounds like the head gasket leak, the labor for head gasket is not cheap and the head itself may need to be re-surface as well. Replace with low mileage engine is best way in his case or sell the car AS IS

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

I agree with making 100% sure of what the issue is before throwing thousands at it; I was merely offering a repair option IF deemed necessary down the road.