Hi!
2000 LS400
283,000 km
Running well!

However, starter sometimes does not engage...requires 1-50 more turns of the key to go. Seems like the brushes are worn? Happens only when weather changes significantly.
Also, took her for her maintenance check at Lexus...
They said she needs a few things:
- Timing Belt / Water Pump / Tensioner etc. ($1,500 CDN at Lexus)
- Sway Bar Bushings (although I replaced the sway bar links already!!! aren't the bushings part of the link?) ($280 CDN at Lexus)
- Valve Seal is leaking a bit ($560 CDN at Lexus)
- Brake Service ($250 CDN at Lexus)
- All Fluids (it is time) (Hundreds!)
- Maybe Camshaft (only if inspection deems necessary) ($1,126 CDN at Lexus if necessary)

So my question is...if any mechanic is changing my valve cover gasket/seal...isn't easy to just change the starter too? Lexus wants $560CDN for the valve cover job?

Thoughts?

 

Unfortunately, NO the starter can not be removed during a valve cover gasket / seal replacement. The VC gaskets are approx $18 ea from the dealer and spark plug tube seals are approx $3 ea. These items can be sourced much cheaper from aftermarket companies like Fel-Pro but Genuine Toyota OE parts are recommended.
There's a wealth of info here on starter replacement and/or rebuild.

 

The sway bar links are different from the bushings. Links are at the ends of the sway bar and bushings are towards the middle. There's only 2 10mm bolts for each sway bar bushing. And the parts are less then $100 (US) for front and back.
Did you mean the valve "cover" is leaking a bit? Like bradland said, parts are cheap. I'm sure you can search for plenty of info here on those also. I don't recall how much they're different from the 90-94 which lexls.com has directions for. Also ya might just try tightening the VC bolts cuz they do come loose over time with all the vibrations. (Not too tight)
The starter is it's own job, doesn't combine with doing something else. I don't know why they would say maybe a camshaft, I haven't heard of any problems with them.

Not sure what your mechanical ability is but doing stuff yourself that you feel comfortable with you'd be able to save alot of $$$.

 

sounds like a bad starter...which a tremendous job as it involves removal of the intake manifold. the starter is inside the V.

the rest sound like normal dealer findings; the timing belt being an important one if it was not done 90k miles ago (145k km). you can certainly get everything done at an independent shop specializing in Toyota/Lexus vehicles, to save more money, if you cannot do it yourself.

sadly, you cannot save money doing both together as they are in different parts of the engine.

 

I live in Canada too. I have 1998 with bad starter, we are like brothers. Sounds like the dealer is just trying to floss you but eventually the starter will need to be replaced.

 

YES! Although I am sorry to hear.
I think..I will do:

Bushing and Timing Belt (including tensioner water pump drive belt)
then
Brake Service and Valve and Starter
then
Fluids (as much of my driving is highway)