Just making sure I am looking at this right and trying to understand what to expect. This is the wife's car and she complained about odd noises and Christmas tree lights on the dash. Plugged in the OBDII and got P0014. First checked the dipstick for dirty oil...found no oil on it at all. Checked underneath and there's definitely oil under the car and the under pan looks wet for sure. Then I noticed the boot. Did I just loose all my oil out the boot (that possible)? I didn't think these things were related, but possible just a different oil issue plus a boot that got torn? Expected cost on repair? Thanks in advance!

 

That’s just the power steering rack inner tie rod boot, nothing to be concerned about compared to what may have happened to the engine. Based on the code and what I see in there, it looks like you have an 07-09 350?

Do you have the revised metal bank 1 VVT oil line? The code is for bank 1 (the rear bank) and it’s possible that the line burst. If you have the towing package, do you have the revised metal oil cooler lines? Those are located near the oil pan and have been known to blow too.

Hopefully it’s not too late and the car can be saved, the fact that noises were heard and codes were thrown is not a good sign though. I would get that thing towed and up on a lift ASAP. The VVT-i oil line ends near the exhaust cam phaser which is the code you’re getting, so it may not be getting lubrication and may be seizing up and facing damage. Get the recalls done by Lexus if they haven’t been already. Here in Canada they have expired, but in California they may not have yet.

 

Thanks for the reply! Mine does have the towing prep package. I don't know if I have the revised metal oil cooler lines, but I am guessing not as the last time it was in the dealership suggested the oil cooler hose be replaced with the metal type, but didn't indicate there was any immediate need. This was a few months ago. I just read this:

 

Vehicle towed to the shop. I'll post an update once I hear back.

 

Shop confirmed upper and lower oil cooling lines went. Main line the blew was in the middle of the hose, like it blew under pressure. Going to replace with a metal one and replace the other one, then we'll see if the engine is damaged.

 

Thanks for update. Hoping everything goes well!

 

I'm guessing the "other one" is the VVTi as mentioned above? Make sure the shop checks the VVTi line on the rear bank, and if it has a rubber segment (you can by looking down from top of the bank, passenger side), replace it as well. It is a different oil line than the cooler.

 

Will do! Thanks for the suggestion! Probably make sure the engines not toast before that, though

 

Engine is running fine. What a relief. Having them check the rear lines as well as take care of a CV boot that is pictured above. Thanks for the help here!

 

From that pic, CV boot looks fine but rack boot looks torn. That’s a pretty common problem on our cars too, mine were both torn.


Part no.

VVT-i bank 1 metal line - 15772-31030
Gasket No. 1 (Top - at valve cover): 90430-16012 x2
Gasket No. 2 (Bottom): 90430-16016

I used a No. 2 gasket on top and bottom, I like the design better and don’t know why they spec’d No 1. at all. No. 2 is a combined assembly with two aluminum washers together instead of two individual pieces.

 

Thanks! Appreciate the info. Here's a couple notes from the last time the car was at the stealership:

• STEERING CONCERN: REC STEERING RACK BOOT AND SEAL KIT TORN BOOTS LOOSING OIL
• FT STAB BAR LINK: SPLIT BOOTS LOOSING GREASE
• FT LWR BALL JOINT: BOOTS LOOSING GREASE REC BOTH BALL JOINT

From what you mentioned, I'm assuming that's the first item.

 

If your boots are seeping oil, it may be too late and the steering rack's bushings may be shot as debris may have entered in and ruined the seals. On my RX350, mine looked like it was seeping similarly to yours and I got a bath of oil on me when I pulled the boots off. I was losing oil a little more than I'd like so I had to swap out the entire rack. Not a fun job, pretty expensive and takes hours.

For the sway bar end links, if the boots are ripped and there are no clunks, I'd run them until the joints wear out and they start clunking like popcorn over bumps. They might even have a year of life into them in California, in Canada they were gone within a month with a ripped boot. These are not a safety concern and will not affect the car's drivability other than an annoying noise.

For the ball joints I'd want them to show me the rip and then go from there. Toyota/Lexus ball joints last a LONG time and a little seepage according to Toyota MFR spec is okay. If they're just seeping and the boot isn't fully torn, I would just run them if no play is present.

 

To close the loop, I replaced the oil cooler up front with the metal two-in-one. I also replaced the steering rack as it had seen some damage from the torn boot. Finally, I was ready for front brakes (had it on my calendar for September) so I took care of that as well. Very relieved the car is running fine. Feedback on the back line was that it looked good.