timing chain cover minor leak- Is $4500 repair worth it?

qcpete · April 5

2015 RX350 with 137,000miles. Was just informed timing chain cover has slow leak. Discovered during routine maintenance.

Quoted $4500. for repair. At this point, how long can we ignore this?

Was hoping to wait a couple more years before looking at a trade.

bonnie dell · May 3

I have the same thing on my 2015 Lexus Sport has only 88,000 miles--and was previously repaired by dealer 4 yrs ago for the same thing when car was under Certified Warranty. I have recently read it's a flaw that Lexus thought was fixed in 2010--but all are not holding to that. I' not happy as I've totally maintained and cared for the auto!!

Let me know if anyone has a good ideas. I don't know whether to trade as is or repair and keep awhile. But what happens when people see 2 timing chain repairs on carfax??

I have 1 estimate at $4000--but it's more of a "mom and pop" shop. Not sure how many Lexus they repair.

qcpete · August 31

I thought id check back here to see if there were any replies/thoughts. I'm sorry to see your post! I have been hemming and hawing about what to do, and again I am being pressured by service advisor to consider this job. Now I see this could happen again. Lots of $ down the drain. I just cant see doing this, 😣

D_Sauce · September 13

Check out the video below.

Conclusion seems to be fix it,~$2.5-4k, depending on location/shop. Or live with it and top it off.

https://youtu.be/RMvjhUVjyc0?si=7YUUD1GdoV_070V2

LexusEngineer · September 14

The problem originates w/ the initial gasket being made on a robotic assembly line in Alabama. This was not corrected until the 2016 engines. My 2012 RX had a recall which covered the first gasket replacement(which was not leaking), but the leaking problem did occur after another 50,000 miles & was not covered. I regularly cleaned the garage floor for a year & finally traded it w/ no penalty.