I’m beginning to think when it comes to me and vehicles I’m cursed and jinked! Instead of repairs to what I thought would only be 1600 at the lowest per estimates I’ve been getting for the steering rack and pinion; it turns out that’s not what was leaking. I just came From a Lexus dealer; and had a full thorough inspection done and what was found is that 1. The power steering return hose is sweating 2. The rear main seal is starting to leak 3. The timing chain cover seal is starting to leak oil. 4. The seal/gasket around the oil fill is leaking. All this is gonna run close to 5000 bucks to fix! Aaaahhhhhh!!! I need a strong drink now thank you!

 

Do it. Mine is gone as of last week. It was a blast to own and still ran but my transfer case was going out, and that's not even close to worth it to fix.

 

I doubt this rx is even worth 5 grand!

 

It sounds like it might be time to start searching again this time for something Newer as in a 3rd gen rx instead of a second gen

 

yep! My transfer case has been weeping for awhile now and I’ve just been having my trusted shop top off the gear oil in it at every oil change. Now I’ve got even bigger issues. Starting to think I should avoid Lexus all together hear on out and go with a semi American brand like Jeep.

 

Every brand has its issues. Jeep is chrysler since 1987 and I have had bad luck with them myself. Ive had 14 jeeps and started when I was 14 with a ******. My rx330 was going through power steering fluid and I couldnt find the leak. Lexus quoted 2500 to fix. Took it in for the timing belt to toyota dealer and they tightened the power steering hose while it was on the rack and I havent added fluid in a year. I would get quotes.
Honostly though i am not impressed with my RX330. I also have a GX470 and the quality is so much better with the GX. The GX has 60k more miles also and I use it for towing and hauling.

 

Do you have photo?

 

Deleted by MM

 

no., they dont take pics at the dealer as far as i know. But tomorrow i am going to go back to the shop i trust with the sheet of what needs to be fixed listed and show the manager who always is willing to go above and beyond to try and help out in terms of pricing etc and see what he says about these things that were found at the dealer.

 

depending on how much repairs might really be will determine whether or not its time to trade in this rx or not.

 

Very interesting can you plz elaborate?
Only thing that kept me from pulling the trigger on a GX was they cost more and they all have AWD as far as I know.
The last AWD/4WD vehicle I had chewed me up with repairs so just wondering.

 

Not sure what you want me to elaborate on. Its a much more solid vehicle. The rx330 is AWD the GX470 is full time 4wd. The RX330 shares the K playform. This is same as highlanders, camry and the like. These small SUVs are just cars. The GX470 is 4 runner and Landcruiser. Are there people with GX470s that have issues, you bet. The biggest thing is purchasing a good one. Too many are neglected. Search around this and other forums and you will see people saying timing belts will go to 150k or saying they have never replaced it. If you arent going to do maintenance on an item like a timing belt, they sure arent going to fix a power steering seal when it is leaking. Then they come on these forums complaining about their car being crap when it needs a repair. My Rx330 is a 2004, we purchased it with 87k on it just a few years ago. The history showed me that it traveled a little before landing in Washington but its a 16 year old rig, it will need repairs. When its time for the RX to go, I will get a GX460, but my GX470 will stay with me until I die or it does.

 

either way it might be time to kiss this rx goodbye and look for a newer gen rx like between 2010-2015.

 

actually it turns out its not nearly as bad as i thought!; i think im good for at least a little while here because i just went and got a second opinion from my trusted and trusty shop just down the street and the only thing that they could see that really stood out was a return power steering hose that was "sweating" and of course my dreaded seeping transfer case which im not worried about as i make sure they always top it off at every oil change. With that said; again i think im good for a bit here. What the lexus "stealer" said about the rear main seal leaking and the timing chain cover starting to leak was not because what the dealer didnt realize was that what they were seeing is just actual staining from the transfer case seeping gear oil and not the rear main leaking motor oil because thus far Ive never been down on oil either thus far.l So thankfully Im ok for a bit here. Granted there probably will come a time when those items will be a issue; but for now im good. What idiots at the dealer. Even though they have so called lexus expert techs; which are hardly experts because of what they didnt see.

 

Do never trust to dealer/shop if they asked you to complete repair works for $1k+. Look for a second opinion!