Transmission Problems/failures with RX300 awd/fwd

[RX PHD]

typically if your old transmission had debris in the system the coolers can be impossible to flush  

 

so they suggest a replacement  or bypassing and using a aftermarket cooler 

[r_michael]

On 12/13/2017 at 3:47 PM, RX PHD said:

typically if your old transmission had debris in the system the coolers can be impossible to flush  

so they suggest a replacement  or bypassing and using a aftermarket cooler 

Got it. I will discuss this new information with my tech, who planned to do a flush. But this info is relevant because my old transmission had four steel pieces in the pan besides the normal shavings on the magnets: one bit about 1/4' x 1/4" x 1/16" and three shavings about 1/8" wide and 2" long.

[jojo69]

considering buying car from original owner. he has no paperwork bc his mechanic nephew does all the work at the nephews auto repair employer/garage. 180,000K mile. asking $4k.

70 yr old retired physician bought car new, he is sole owner. Or so he says. Anyone have a carfax account? VIN:  jtjgf10ux20140661

took test drive and without researching tranny issue, noticed a microsecond hesitation when shifting from park to drive or drive to reverse... anything way/thing I can test or check while in his driveway tomorrow, before making a mistake in purchase so as to reduce a bad tranny issue with this car?   

what other high risk items do you suggest inspecting with my limited tools or garage bay before making a decision? 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2018 by jojo69
update clarity

[uspilot]

jojo69, 

Not sure on the hesitation when shifting out of park, but one thing I always complete when looking over a car is to pull the transmission dipstick and smell the fluid. If it smells "burnt" then there's an issue brewing. If they recently changed the transmission fluid this is harder to detect (most won't change the fluid prior to selling).  You can also check the color... The fluid is ruby red and mostly clear when new. As it ages with use, turns darker towards a brown hue. See picture attached. You can bring a couple pieces of paper towel and check for yourself.   

 

Good luck!

uspilot

[r_michael]

Thanks to everyone who commented and advised on transmission replacement for my 2000 RX300.

The remanufactured unit is in. I have put a couple hundred miles on it: 70% city, 30% highway. Dry, rain, sleet, and snow. Smooth shifting in Power, ECT, and Normal modes.

Any need to check the pan at or before 15K? I plan to do the 15K drain/fill interval recommended in this forum.

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

[r_michael]

On 1/13/2018 at 6:30 PM, jojo69 said:

considering buying car from original owner. he has no paperwork bc his mechanic nephew does all the work at the nephews auto repair employer/garage. 180,000K mile. asking $4k.

70 yr old retired physician bought car new, he is sole owner. Or so he says. Anyone have a carfax account? VIN:  jtjgf10ux20140661

took test drive and without researching tranny issue, noticed a microsecond hesitation when shifting from park to drive or drive to reverse... anything way/thing I can test or check while in his driveway tomorrow, before making a mistake in purchase so as to reduce a bad tranny issue with this car?   

what other high risk items do you suggest inspecting with my limited tools or garage bay before making a decision? 

 

 

 

Assuming RX300. What year? Did the owner do transmission drain/fill religiously at 15K miles? Do you have credible evidence of a rebuild/replacement and continued conscientious service within the past five years or so? If not, then read this forum carefully again before you pay the asking price...unless you plan to flip it.

Speaking plainly, realistically, and presumptuously: If you simply must have this exact car,  I strongly encourage you to factor a transmission replacement or rebuild into the price you pay. (In my area, transmissions for this car are $4,500 and up, no matter who you take it to or whether you rebuild or go remanufactured.) I'd maybe ask about timing belt, but that's chump change by comparison. Routine maintenance. IMO, nothing else you'll ever have to do on this car, short of an engine replacement, will set you back much as a transmission.

So what to offer? Because you won't get the owner to sign it over to you for a dollar, your best scenario will be to try to get him to split the cost of the inevitable repair with you. How badly you want this car will set the upper limit of what you offer. Lacking evidence of a fairly recent rebuild, I wouldn't pay more than $2,000 and only if I really had to have that specific car.

Not that anything's wrong with the RX 300. There's a lot to like about it. I really, really like mine.

But I base my strong statements on my recent experience with buying a carefully-maintained, cosmetically "very good" RX 300 last year. It had 184K miles on it when I bought it. It is "very good" cosmetically inside and out.

Last March, I gambled. And lost. Here's the sad saga: 

At 197K miles, seven months after I bought the car, the front transfer case in the transmission began to chew itself apart. I was able to drive the last few miles to my trusted, independent Toyota/Lexus specialist without any problems. But he found several large metallic bits in the pan. Game over.

The evidence I have for "by the book" maintenance history is a lot stronger than what you say you have. My mechanic has maintained my car since 2005. Before that, a local dealer serviced it at all recommended intervals. My guy showed me records of all service he had done, all at the recommended intervals...oil, transmission, timing belt, etc., etc.; all worn/broken parts replaced as needed (except for the power antenna motor). No leaks, except for a small one starting on the rack and pinion.

I even had a receipt from the transmission rebuild done at 75K miles, so it had 110K on the rebuild. I figured any rebuild done by a good shop would last a few more tens of thousands of miles, so I took the chance. Alas, mine failed with 122K miles on the rebuild.

The car is back in service again, and I'm enjoying it very much.

Hope this helps with your decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[r_michael]

On 1/16/2018 at 4:05 PM, r_michael said:

...

Any need to check the pan at or before 15K? I plan to do the 15K drain/fill interval recommended in this forum.

...

 

 

 

 

I took it in for oil change today, and transmission pan gasket was leaking a bit. < 500 miles on it since installation of the remanufactured transmission. Scheduled to have it checked next week under the P/L warranty.

[repooc11]

I have a 2003 RX 300, 205K miles.  I notice that when driving the front end lurches left.  This seems to correlate with acceleration somewhere about 45-50 mph.  It can be more pronounced when cold or when driving on uneven surfaces.  Mechanic says drive shaft or transmission.  Money is very tight right now. I was thinking about asking the mechanic to perform the above flushing procedure is hopes of a cheap way out.  Thoughts?

[Mark B.]

We are contemplating buying a 1999 RX300 from a mechanic who is making necessary repairs. He is trying to figure out why the Check Engine light is on, throwing the O2 sensor error code, despite his having replaced both O2 sensors with Denso ones, and the plugs while he had the manifold off. Also replaced the alternator with a re-manufactured one.

The car has 139K miles, and the tranny seems to be shifting properly. I suppose that either it is one of the "good" ones, or has  been replaced previously. Anyway, guess I ought to keep $4K on reserve for a tranny if necessary.

What about having a rebuild kit put in, instead of buying a new tranny?

Are there any ways to flash the tranny firmware so as to make it more durable or otherwise improve it?

Are there any brands of trannys available for this car that are better than others or better than OEM?

 

thanks, guys.

[lexusluxuries]

On 11/18/2019 at 8:32 PM, Mark B. said:

We are contemplating buying a 1999 RX300 from a mechanic who is making necessary repairs. He is trying to figure out why the Check Engine light is on, throwing the O2 sensor error code, despite his having replaced both O2 sensors with Denso ones, and the plugs while he had the manifold off. Also replaced the alternator with a re-manufactured one.

The car has 139K miles, and the tranny seems to be shifting properly. I suppose that either it is one of the "good" ones, or has  been replaced previously. Anyway, guess I ought to keep $4K on reserve for a tranny if necessary.

What about having a rebuild kit put in, instead of buying a new tranny?

Are there any ways to flash the tranny firmware so as to make it more durable or otherwise improve it?

Are there any brands of trannys available for this car that are better than others or better than OEM?

 

thanks, guys.

The transmission went out on my 03 RX300 at about 180k miles, which I thought was quite early for a Toyota made vehicle to be honest. Anyways, my mechanic told me 3700 for a complete rebuild and instead I ordered a remanufactured transmission after reading this article on the differences between rebuilt and remanufactured. Hope this helps  https://transmissioninfo.wixsite.com/transmissioninfo/rx-300

[RX400h]

"...if the manufacturer has made any updates to the transmission, say using a new friction material, your remanufactured transmission will also be updated. Many remanufactured transmissions are covered by extensive warranties. If something does fail in the future, there’s a good chance that it’ll be covered. This way, you can enjoy peace of mind while driving your Lexus RX 300."

I have known this for many years. The thing to remember is that even older transmissions are extremely complicated. There is far less that can go wrong if a factory remanufactured transmission is swapped in.