So last week I had my car in to replace my original transmission with a used one from a yard, I’m a bit of a paranoid guy who believes the guy who did the work on my car didn’t replace the unit but instead fixed the issue. Did some digging and was able to find the serial number on the left side of the transmission right on top of the oil pan.
Is there a way I can decode this serial number or figure out if it’s the same transmission or another unit?
below I will attach 2 photos 1 of the serial number and 1 of the EPA sticker. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.



Serial Number On Current Transmission Mounted On vehicle

Lexus Transmission Serial Number Decoding Manual ForMy Specific Model (2007 Lexus Is350 RWD)

EPA Sticker (Door Jam)

 

Didn't you say it supposedly had 30k mi on it? How dirty is the case compared to the cross member and rear transmission mount? If its the same amount of grime you may have your answer.

If you think they rebuilt it vs replacing it, look at bell housing bolts, pan bolts, tailshaft bolts for signs they've been in and out. Most places would clean the case if it were rebuilt, however a slight of hand shop could make repairs and give zero sh/ts about clean and shove it back it. The complication is if the fault was isolated to the valve body and all the did was pull the pan to fix it.

This seems highly suspicious that the trans has the same date code as the cars production release date. And for it to have 35k on it, be that date code, and be that dirty. Fishy....

 

You might create an account with Lexus and see if when that VIN is put in, you can get some details...

 

I'd agree check the bolts to see some fresh wear and tear. On the bell housing, and transmission pan. Maybe they just dropped the pan to switch out a solenoid.

 

Left exhaust pipe by cats bolts very rusted look unopened

Right exhaust pipe by cats again very rusted definitely never opened would’ve left marks of possibly even snapped


Left side of transmission bolts top one looks touched but others don’t IMO + fresh silicon on pan so definitely dropped the pan (Look at those little black marks or sprinkles and remember that for now)

Right side of transmission bolts looks fairly untouched considering you would have to hit an impact causing marking usually? (Black dots a bit on the bottom side remember)

See the black stuff? Yeah I hit undercoating on my car when I first got it (around 13 months ago) see how it’s on the transmission by the 2 bolts? If you look back at the other photos you can see little sprinkles of undercoating that coincidently hit the trans… lucky me I guess. That’s what really convinced me this guy never did any work also see how it’s kind of peeling / chipping kinda shows that’s it’s not a fresh layer of undercoat

Black markings on transmission

 

Yup he claimed 35k, however to be honest transmission and engine are both clean but I will have another look tomorrow and take some good photos, I wonder if I can post a video here so you guys can have a good look and give me your opinions.

 

I checked, I also got the factory build sheet but no luck, they only had the engine SN on there but not transmission unfortunately

 

Sorry for the spam, but FYI I took my car to
Richmond Auto Repair in NYC
87-01 104th St
Richmond Hill, NY 11418
United States

NEVER go to these guys, big time scammers.

 

Don't feel bad bro. I got burned twice by a know family mechanic. I was 17 still in high school at the time. The info for mods was in magazines. It wasn't till years later after I had enough shade tree mechanic experience. That's when it dawned on me. I vowed never to get another mechanic to work on my cars. Unless it needs major work I can't handle. Then I'll let family get of hold of it.

 

What did they charge you? What does the fine print say about 'work done and warranty BS'?

That sucks! Sorry man.

I worked at AAMCO transmission for 6 years. Several as r&r tech, then a builder. The gm's took 10 to 20% of the total bill home as a pay so they sold people anything and everything they could. It was a nightmare to keep up with them.

The good honest general managers never lasted long as the owner would fire them. Hire some a'hole sales drunk/junkie who had no morals. When the opportunity came to pack up I went into medical equipment. Run a laser lab now making medical components.

GL sure seems you have a legitimate lawsuit on your hands. Maybe have someone independent document everything you showed us.

 

Here is the PDF of the work done got charged $2,100 parts and labor paid all cash

 

Where did you find your transmission at? I think I will need one for mine i found one for 900$ with 160k miles.

 

$900 for a transmission with 160k miles is not worth it, you can go on car-part.com - links below put in cars info and search
https://www.car-part.com/mobile/index.htm

Find a transmission with around 80k-100k should go for around $900-1.3k or if you want less miles you can find one but would spend more then 1.5k

If you can pick up the transmission rather then deliver that would be better too in my opinion, you can take a look at the transmission while your there and you can save shipping costs which can be up to $300 or more.

The transmission I was supposed to get on my vehicle supposedly came from a scrap yard near me called alliance (New York City area)

 

Yeah thats where i looked for mine it's actually $750 for it but it's down the road so I think that's why I decide on that one. I just saw one with 108k miles on it i think 40 miles from me for 1k so I might do that I'm hoping it's the solenoid that needs replaced something easier on my wallet. It won't go into drive but it will go in reverse i tried to see if anyone would check it out but everyone i saw today said it needs to be replaced after i mentioned that to them. One of the general mechanics i went to go ask quoted me 2200$ for parts and labor but he didn't mention how many miles on it plus I'm kinda iffy on him because he mentioned to me that he will need to tow the car to a Lexus dealership to have the transmission programed to the car which on the other forums of people replacing their transmission in their driveway didn't mention any of that so who knows let's see what happens.

 

Sorry that you have to go through all of this.

I might have missed it, but don't major components (including transmissions) have a VIN plate on it to match it to the original chassis? Couldn't tell you if a 2IS trans has one though; so this is just talking out loud.