Total work done on my '99 RX300 since Feb of this year:

- Transmission rebuilt
- New Transmission Valve Body installed (but actually ECM failed)
- 4 New Tires
- New Idle Air Valve (but actually ECM failed)
- 2 New Knock Sensors
- 6 New Spark Plugs
- 2 Top O2 Sensors
- New ECM (BRAND NEW, electronics shop was not able to repair it)
- New Leather Kit
- Part of Interior (Wood trim, New Cup Holders)
- New Headlights
- New Tail Liights
- New Side Markers
- New Paint Job

What I did not replace? Probably only the Engine and the Suspension. Well, considering that I was driving on average 700 miles per week, the ENGINE now needs complete rebuild, both the heads and the block.

149,970 miles, it did not make it to 150,000.

While I was driving on a highway this morning the oil pressure light came on and about a 1/2 mile latter (that I was able pulling to a gas station) it started squeaking like the was absolutely no oil in it. I checked the stick – it was 2 more than quarts low! When I opened the oil lid, and saw smoke (or may be it was oil vapors?). Interesting enough is that last time I checked the oil level was a week ago – and it was normal! It did not burn oil and even did not leak when parked.
The mechanics found a leak from crankshaft seal and some possible leak around camshafts (inside VVT-i). So it leaked only while on the go.

A head shop just quoted me for $3500 plus tax for R&R, and complete rebuild. Until today I did not know that the rebuild of VVT-i engine is as twice as expensive as normal one.

What next? Suspension or steering? Everything else is new

 

What kind of engine oil you used and how many miles between oil changes?

 

That is pretty cheap in comparison to the tranny.... Unless you do it yourself...

 

seems like u have a working in progrsss on your hands

 

10W40 every 5000 miles. I drive mostly on highways.

 

Cheap? Although $3500 is a good deal, they originally quoted me for $2700, but after discovering how much stuff they need to pull in order to remove the engine (such as wiper gator, all boxes, all lower dress and that stupid stay bolt on the back left side of upper manifold) they increased it by $800 (claiming that they did not know it was AWD and that there is something else need to be done to cylinders since it is AWD -- yeah, right!).

Btw, rebuild transmission did cost me $1500 plus $250 shipping (from L.A. to DFW) and $1300 R&R with 12 month warranty. Actually they gave me verbal life-time warranty on the planetary gear they claimed that they always weld to the case instead of bolting so the shock-torque is evenly distributed and it won't break ever again. Almost all AWD U140 transaxles fail because the planetary gear explodes. So the total for the transmission rebuild is around $3100. I also replaced the valve body with new, but I did it on my own in the garage. The valve factory new valve body was around $600. It was not necessary -- Dealer (FANK YOU, PARK PLACE PLANO LEXUS!) diagnosed it as faulty (charging $99 for diagnostics and offering to replace it for $2400) from Shift Solenoid A and B circuit break codes. The valve body was OK, the problem was in Engine Control Module (ECM).
Had to replace the ECM. Btw, if you get a factory new or factory rebuild ECM (from Denso) you don't have to program it at a the dealer -- it will program itself from the first key inserted. You can program the second and the rest of key with gas and brake pedals -- as usual.

 

I assume that is dino oil. Would be interesting to see what your mechanic found out after opening up the engine and his take on what is really causing the leak.

 

5W30 is preferred, though some may choose 10W40 for hot Texas weather to reduce oil burning. Sorry to hear about your experience.

Did you buy it new or used?

 

it seems as if it was bought used. This is his 15th post. BUT I COULD BE WRONG

 

I'm not saying it is, but check out the oil gel thread here. Sounds similar to my situation, full with oil one day none the next. Lexus replaced my wife's engine at their cost. Being a 99 model you may be completely out of the extended warranty period of the settlement.

 

good point, yea the warranty is expired, only 8years 2months total...

 

 

Cannot find that thread. Could you give a link or the title of it?

 

I bought it with locked up transmission and broken ignition lock.
I am not complaining, I am restoring. It is fun (well, except engine, I am no head shop)
After engine is rebuild it will be like new, ready for another 150K

 

cool i thought u were gripeing. but it sounds like u got a great deal and ready to spend the cash to get it right. But it sounds like u spent more than what u would have bought a later model for already.