Sc400; Dealer Says Rms, Oil Pan Leak. Advice?

[Lexmonster]

I recently brought by 1997 SC400 to the dealer for an oil change. I’m currently at about 106k miles. When the mechanics finished working on the car, my service advisor told me that the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket are leaking. The advisor characterized both leaks as “moderate.” She says that their price for the oil pan gasket is about $290, which agrees pretty well with Alldata’s figure of 2.4 hours; however, they want $1200 for the rear main seal. I know that it’s a lengthy job due to the need to remove the transmission, but Alldata says it should be done in about 6 hours, and a technician I know at another Lexus dealer says he has done them in 3—not the 12 that the dealer quoted.

I had a mechanic friend jack the car up and take a look underneath, and he confirmed that there is some oil on the back of the engine, but he said that it could probably be ignored for a few months, so long as I keep an eye on the oil level. I do see some oil on the oil pan, even without crawling under the car, but I cannot determine its source. I can say with pretty good certainty that the valve covers are not leaking, since they were resealed less than a year ago.

I am not saying that the dealer is dishonest, but I know that they aren’t in the business of saving customers any money. I figured that if there is indeed a “moderate” leak, I should be able so see some signs of it underneath the car. I have NO oil spots on my garage floor under my car, but just to be sure I placed a large sheet of clean cardboard under the oil pan and the back of the engine… 16 hours later, there is not a single drop of oil on the cardboard.

Now for my questions:

1.) I know that a RMS leak is not totally unheard with this (or any other) car, but do you think that there could be a “moderate” leak that doesn’t deposit at least a little oil on the floor? In other words, if I’m not dripping enough oil to spot the floor, should I even worry about it?

2.) Can anyone recommend a specific independent shop in northern or central NJ, or northeastern PA (i.e., within 30 miles of the Clinton, NJ area)?

[twodmax]

I recently brought by 1997 SC400 to the dealer for an oil change. I’m currently at about 106k miles. When the mechanics finished working on the car, my service advisor told me that the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket are leaking. The advisor characterized both leaks as “moderate.” She says that their price for the oil pan gasket is about $290, which agrees pretty well with Alldata’s figure of 2.4 hours; however, they want $1200 for the rear main seal. I know that it’s a lengthy job due to the need to remove the transmission, but Alldata says it should be done in about 6 hours, and a technician I know at another Lexus dealer says he has done them in 3—not the 12 that the dealer quoted.

I had a mechanic friend jack the car up and take a look underneath, and he confirmed that there is some oil on the back of the engine, but he said that it could probably be ignored for a few months, so long as I keep an eye on the oil level. I do see some oil on the oil pan, even without crawling under the car, but I cannot determine its source. I can say with pretty good certainty that the valve covers are not leaking, since they were resealed less than a year ago.

I am not saying that the dealer is dishonest, but I know that they aren’t in the business of saving customers any money. I figured that if there is indeed a “moderate” leak, I should be able so see some signs of it underneath the car. I have NO oil spots on my garage floor under my car, but just to be sure I placed a large sheet of clean cardboard under the oil pan and the back of the engine… 16 hours later, there is not a single drop of oil on the cardboard.

Now for my questions:

1.) I know that a RMS leak is not totally unheard with this (or any other) car, but do you think that there could be a “moderate” leak that doesn’t deposit at least a little oil on the floor? In other words, if I’m not dripping enough oil to spot the floor, should I even worry about it?

2.) Can anyone recommend a specific independent shop in northern or central NJ, or northeastern PA (i.e., within 30 miles of the Clinton, NJ area)?

My mechanic quoted $600 for RMS. He didn't think it to be a problem as long as I check oil level every couple of weeks. Just a few drops now and then on driveway. $1200 is too high. Sorry I'm in CO. BTW I also did valve covers and plugs first. Doug