Lexus rx350 2015 starter problem.
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Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Once transmission is disengaged [P or N], when you turn the crank, you are fighting compression. With V6 you are not fighting compression on all 6 at the same time. It takes more than feather force, but once can overcome with deliberate steady force [it tends to become stiff and once past TDC the compression it practically flops over. [my estimate 25ft/lbs]. I have done number of T-blet changes and had no issues ever turning the crank by hand with 6-8 cylinder engine. If you remove all plugs it would be relatively easier, but not night and day difference.
I suspect your old starter was a collateral damage as it tried to turn over a locked engine and burnt out.
Important .... You may like to remove the starter, just in case the starter pinion is the proverbial monkey wrench.
Rotating the engine backwards is not recommend but if if done slowly [without causing too much stress it is ok.]
I still think the next best action is to remove both valve covers and confirm there is no issue with the chain. Once you confirm top-end is in unison with the crank, then remove all plugs and pour 1/4cup ATF into each cylinder and wait over night. Next day use try to work the the crank back and forth [yes back word with increasing force] to see if you can free the crank up.
Salim
I suspect your old starter was a collateral damage as it tried to turn over a locked engine and burnt out.
Important .... You may like to remove the starter, just in case the starter pinion is the proverbial monkey wrench.
Rotating the engine backwards is not recommend but if if done slowly [without causing too much stress it is ok.]
I still think the next best action is to remove both valve covers and confirm there is no issue with the chain. Once you confirm top-end is in unison with the crank, then remove all plugs and pour 1/4cup ATF into each cylinder and wait over night. Next day use try to work the the crank back and forth [yes back word with increasing force] to see if you can free the crank up.
Salim
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 1,732
From: VA
Rod bearings are the most likely failure point. Those usually are easier to replace.
I found this information on a Lotus forum as Toyota sold them the 2GR-FE to put into their cars:
Upon review of the Toyota 2GR-FE Engine Manual I find statements that these are in fact forged steel components.
An extract from the Description section follows:
6. Connecting Rod and Connecting Rod Bearing
" Connecting rods that have been forged for high strength are used for weight reduction.
" Knock pins are used at the mating surfaces of the bearing caps of the connecting rod to minimize the shifting of the bearing caps during assembly.
"The connecting rods and caps are made of high-strength steel for weight reduction.
" Nutless-type plastic region tightening bolts are used on the connecting rods for a lighter design.
"An aluminum bearing is used for the connecting rod bearings.
"The connecting rod bearings are reduced in width to reduce friction.
7. Crankshaft
" A crankshaft made of forged steel, which excels in rigidity and wear resistance, is used.
" The crankshaft has 4 journals and 5 balance weights.
I found this information on a Lotus forum as Toyota sold them the 2GR-FE to put into their cars:
Upon review of the Toyota 2GR-FE Engine Manual I find statements that these are in fact forged steel components.
An extract from the Description section follows:
6. Connecting Rod and Connecting Rod Bearing
" Connecting rods that have been forged for high strength are used for weight reduction.
" Knock pins are used at the mating surfaces of the bearing caps of the connecting rod to minimize the shifting of the bearing caps during assembly.
"The connecting rods and caps are made of high-strength steel for weight reduction.
" Nutless-type plastic region tightening bolts are used on the connecting rods for a lighter design.
"An aluminum bearing is used for the connecting rod bearings.
"The connecting rod bearings are reduced in width to reduce friction.
7. Crankshaft
" A crankshaft made of forged steel, which excels in rigidity and wear resistance, is used.
" The crankshaft has 4 journals and 5 balance weights.
Last edited by Clutchless; Sep 20, 2025 at 03:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Rod bearings are the most likely failure point. Those usually are easier to replace.
I found this information on a Lotus forum as Toyota sold them the 2GR-FE to put into their cars:
Upon review of the Toyota 2GR-FE Engine Manual I find statements that these are in fact forged steel components.
An extract from the Description section follows:
6. Connecting Rod and Connecting Rod Bearing
" Connecting rods that have been forged for high strength are used for weight reduction.
" Knock pins are used at the mating surfaces of the bearing caps of the connecting rod to minimize the shifting of the bearing caps during assembly.
"The connecting rods and caps are made of high-strength steel for weight reduction.
" Nutless-type plastic region tightening bolts are used on the connecting rods for a lighter design.
"An aluminum bearing is used for the connecting rod bearings.
"The connecting rod bearings are reduced in width to reduce friction.
7. Crankshaft
" A crankshaft made of forged steel, which excels in rigidity and wear resistance, is used.
" The crankshaft has 4 journals and 5 balance weights.
I found this information on a Lotus forum as Toyota sold them the 2GR-FE to put into their cars:
Upon review of the Toyota 2GR-FE Engine Manual I find statements that these are in fact forged steel components.
An extract from the Description section follows:
6. Connecting Rod and Connecting Rod Bearing
" Connecting rods that have been forged for high strength are used for weight reduction.
" Knock pins are used at the mating surfaces of the bearing caps of the connecting rod to minimize the shifting of the bearing caps during assembly.
"The connecting rods and caps are made of high-strength steel for weight reduction.
" Nutless-type plastic region tightening bolts are used on the connecting rods for a lighter design.
"An aluminum bearing is used for the connecting rod bearings.
"The connecting rod bearings are reduced in width to reduce friction.
7. Crankshaft
" A crankshaft made of forged steel, which excels in rigidity and wear resistance, is used.
" The crankshaft has 4 journals and 5 balance weights.
Rod bearing went trough the piston head.
Spark plug smashed.
Valve bent. And valve gonee.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,570
Likes: 1,393
From: Austin, TX
Not sure how much more you want to go further/deeper into investigation, but I am curious to figure out the sequence of the failure.
Per you statements it seems the piston got separated from the rod and the rod hammered the piston such the it went higher than TDC smashing the spark plug and the valve came down [Exhaust stroke] ,, while the rod pushed the piston up. It seems the timing did not go bad.
The probability of failure is low for reliable vehicles. That still leave some folks who end up with a less than perfect vehicle. I am trolley sorry that it happened tp you.
Share your thoughts on what you plan to do next.
Salim
Per you statements it seems the piston got separated from the rod and the rod hammered the piston such the it went higher than TDC smashing the spark plug and the valve came down [Exhaust stroke] ,, while the rod pushed the piston up. It seems the timing did not go bad.
The probability of failure is low for reliable vehicles. That still leave some folks who end up with a less than perfect vehicle. I am trolley sorry that it happened tp you.
Share your thoughts on what you plan to do next.
Salim
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 327
Likes: 201
From: NV
When inspecting vehicles with seized engines, I have found either no oil on the dipstick or clear, clean oil on the dipstick which means the customer added 4 quarts of oil after the engine seized.
With vehicles that are generally reliable, there is usually a reason why the failure occurred.
With vehicles that are generally reliable, there is usually a reason why the failure occurred.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Not sure how much more you want to go further/deeper into investigation, but I am curious to figure out the sequence of the failure.
Per you statements it seems the piston got separated from the rod and the rod hammered the piston such the it went higher than TDC smashing the spark plug and the valve came down [Exhaust stroke] ,, while the rod pushed the piston up. It seems the timing did not go bad.
The probability of failure is low for reliable vehicles. That still leave some folks who end up with a less than perfect vehicle. I am trolley sorry that it happened tp you.
Share your thoughts on what you plan to do next.
Salim
Per you statements it seems the piston got separated from the rod and the rod hammered the piston such the it went higher than TDC smashing the spark plug and the valve came down [Exhaust stroke] ,, while the rod pushed the piston up. It seems the timing did not go bad.
The probability of failure is low for reliable vehicles. That still leave some folks who end up with a less than perfect vehicle. I am trolley sorry that it happened tp you.
Share your thoughts on what you plan to do next.
Salim
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
From: Florida
When inspecting vehicles with seized engines, I have found either no oil on the dipstick or clear, clean oil on the dipstick which means the customer added 4 quarts of oil after the engine seized.
With vehicles that are generally reliable, there is usually a reason why the failure occurred.
With vehicles that are generally reliable, there is usually a reason why the failure occurred.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 1,732
From: VA
I suspect some very long oil change intervals when it was with some previous owners. Maybe they ran it low on oil or it had an overheating incident.
Now you have to decide whether to sell it for junk or pay for a used engine.
Now you have to decide whether to sell it for junk or pay for a used engine.
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