Is a Front Differential Leak a Drive tran/ engine issue?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 3
From: CA
Yes I am. Let me know if you have any info.
Update as of today: I got to a highly recommended Certified Toyota mechanic to look it over this morning for a few hrs. His private estimate including parts (if I cant get the parts discounted) will be about $1,088. He's got access to a lift and at least talks the talk. I have been studying the Shop Service manual and know a bit more now
I got estimates from other dealerships at $2,300 to $3,200 depending on the area. I am going to pull some strings and see if I can get the parts and save about $100.
It's def. a "Drop the trans" internal leak.
Update as of today: I got to a highly recommended Certified Toyota mechanic to look it over this morning for a few hrs. His private estimate including parts (if I cant get the parts discounted) will be about $1,088. He's got access to a lift and at least talks the talk. I have been studying the Shop Service manual and know a bit more now
I got estimates from other dealerships at $2,300 to $3,200 depending on the area. I am going to pull some strings and see if I can get the parts and save about $100.
It's def. a "Drop the trans" internal leak.
Last edited by infinirx; Sep 29, 2010 at 12:13 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 461
Likes: 7
From: VA
Quite an ordeal you've been through. Sounds like you are on the right track to get it fixed now. I cringe whenever I go to a dealership for any reason, especially in a bad economy they try to royally screw you over.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: ca
Yes I am. Let me know if you have any info.
Update as of today: I got to a highly recommended Certified Toyota mechanic to look it over this morning for a few hrs. His private estimate including parts (if I cant get the parts discounted) will be about $1,088. He's got access to a lift and at least talks the talk. I have been studying the Shop Service manual and know a bit more now
I got estimates from other dealerships at $2,300 to $3,200 depending on the area. I am going to pull some strings and see if I can get the parts and save about $100.
It's def. a "Drop the trans" internal leak.
Update as of today: I got to a highly recommended Certified Toyota mechanic to look it over this morning for a few hrs. His private estimate including parts (if I cant get the parts discounted) will be about $1,088. He's got access to a lift and at least talks the talk. I have been studying the Shop Service manual and know a bit more now
I got estimates from other dealerships at $2,300 to $3,200 depending on the area. I am going to pull some strings and see if I can get the parts and save about $100.
It's def. a "Drop the trans" internal leak.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 3
From: CA
Well we shall see. I just got back form dropping the RX off. He is a certified Toyota mechanic. His Mom has a highlander and he's also done allot of performance tuning and such. Anyways I can only hope my associate that referred him is correct.
I mean all I can so his hope at this point. If all is well I have other work for him. He needs it.
and he's also done allot of performance tuning and such. Anyways I can only hope my associate that referred him is correct. I mean all I can so his hope at this point. If all is well I have other work for him. He needs it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 5
From: ca
Well we shall see. I just got back form dropping the RX off. He is a certified Toyota mechanic. His Mom has a highlander and he's also done allot of performance tuning and such. Anyways I can only hope my associate that referred him is correct.
I mean all I can so his hope at this point. If all is well I have other work for him. He needs it.
and he's also done allot of performance tuning and such. Anyways I can only hope my associate that referred him is correct. I mean all I can so his hope at this point. If all is well I have other work for him. He needs it.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 3
From: CA
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 3
From: CA
.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 3
From: CA
Feels so great to be driving the RX again. I must say 4 days around Mom, having her be a back seat driver and in my old car, that I gave her when I got the RX, really took it's toll.
Ok enough of the past This guy seems legit. Car is running even more smoothly than before, but that could just be my imagination. I know the battery was disconnected over 30min so I get the pleasure of training my car from the way the prev. owner drove it.
He actually went ahead and replaced all the seals. Two pieces had pretty much disintegrated I think he said. Showed me the seal that was leaking and where it was leaking from. I was happy to see I did not have to ask many questions. He already went into enough detail for my satisfaction. He also confirmed what the dealer already said. That some one had done the job before but ghetto style. That the person prob. did the re-seal without taking off the trans. cause there is a way to slip the seal in if you try hard enough lol. Also the silicone used was not the type used by toyota. He had not seen that before.
He also did an alignment for me since he was renting the lift and knew I had after market springs. Washed the car
So I am going to drive it for a week or two and will be able to tell if the leak has been fixed or at least put to rest for a while. The last guys did it and in two weeks I knew it was leaking again.
After that Adam you got a new mechanic I should be back with this guy anyway since he found a leaking radiator that needs replacing.
Ok enough of the past
This guy seems legit. Car is running even more smoothly than before, but that could just be my imagination. I know the battery was disconnected over 30min so I get the pleasure of training my car from the way the prev. owner drove it. He actually went ahead and replaced all the seals. Two pieces had pretty much disintegrated I think he said. Showed me the seal that was leaking and where it was leaking from. I was happy to see I did not have to ask many questions. He already went into enough detail for my satisfaction. He also confirmed what the dealer already said. That some one had done the job before but ghetto style. That the person prob. did the re-seal without taking off the trans. cause there is a way to slip the seal in if you try hard enough lol. Also the silicone used was not the type used by toyota. He had not seen that before.
He also did an alignment for me since he was renting the lift and knew I had after market springs. Washed the car
So I am going to drive it for a week or two and will be able to tell if the leak has been fixed or at least put to rest for a while. The last guys did it and in two weeks I knew it was leaking again.
After that Adam you got a new mechanic
I should be back with this guy anyway since he found a leaking radiator that needs replacing.
