129,000 miles on my 1999 rx300 What kind of maintainence should I do?
 

Hi!
I have a 1999 RX300 with 129,000 miles on it.-
I have changed the spark plugs, and the 2 serpentine belts.
Also 4 quarts of fresh Toyota transmission fluid.
Is there more I should change at this point?
I use Mobil 5W-30 Sinthetic extended life 15,000 mile oil,
-could this make my engine have a loose-valve-like (Rapid-tapping)sound during acceleration?
-Thanks,
Barryst

You seem to have done just about everything needed. You should change the brake fluid every 30K miles on the RX300. Was it done at 120K?

The valve clicking noise could be caused by sludge buildup in the upper cam area. It could happen with dino or synthetic oil if the oil isn't changed by specified interval.

barryst
 

No, I haven't changed the brake fluid yet, I'll have to do that soon!
How about timing belt, or water pump, or transaxle fluid change?
(For that matter, how do you check the fluid level on the transaxle?)
Do they tend to wear out at any specfic milage?

-Barryst

Is yours AWD or FWD? Have you had any transmission problem?
My 99 RX300 AWD has 123K, Last week,I just replaced Timing belt,2 serpentine belts,1 waterpump, 2 idler pulleys, 1 tensioner, 2 camseals, 1 crankseal.
At 123k miles, my original old timing belt, waterpump. etc looks very very good. Even the inner side of waterpump looks brand new. I was just wasting $725.00!

I have an AWD and no transmission problems yet!
( I'm not very good with these discussion forums, I don't know what to use yet!)
I LOVE my black RX, and hope to keep it until I can buy an RX400.
I do smell coolant sometimes, and I don't know where its coming from.-

-Barryst

At 100k+ I will just replace all fluids and belts, plugs etc. at the manufacturer's recommended intervals and then maintain those intervals, or sooner as the car ages.
Try a signature at Tools/Update Your Profile to let us know what you have.

Timing belt should be changed at 90K. Your dealer can look up service record if it was changed at any Lexus dealer.

Water pump should last at least 200K or more. No need to worry at this point.

Tranny fluid needs not be changed unless it's no longer Vicks red in color. I change it at 60K just for peace of mind.

There are two ways to check tranny fluid level. The most reliable way is to check when the RX is hot (after driving about 30 minutes or so.) Leave the engine running and check the tranny dipstick. The fluid should be between the two notches in the "hot" zone on the dipstick. You can also check it when you first start the RX in the morning. Leave the engine running, shift through all gears then put it back to Park, then check the fluid. It should be within the "cold" zone.

Smelling the coolant..... you might have a engine gasket leak - not uncommon with high mileage car, especially if it was abused by the previous owner (high rpm revving.) Also check the areas around the radiator cap and coolant reservoir cap for pink crystal-like deposit. Check coolant level as well.