lenore

My 11year old RX300 is doing the same thing. Tell me when was the last time you waxed those bars? I believe it peeling would be considered normal under those circumstances.

sounds like your PCV valve is stuck... replace it.

Where did you get your info on the planetary gears, I follow this very closely. I showed pictures of a failed planetary and how it was replaced aftermarket with a steel carrier instead of aluminum. I seek any info I can get.

The belt should be good till 90k miles. I just did this on my daughters Sequoia, (same engine) I replaced the timing belt, water pump, and idlers. Took me 5 1/2 hours and the OE parts cost around $240. Dealership would probably charge around $1400..... by the way her belt had 105k miles.

Usually the batteries are pro-rated. As the years go by, you get less of the replacement cost.

Go here and then drop to the 10th PDF file for engine mechanical. In there is the procedure for timing belt. it is starting on page 16 thru 26 Note it is under 2003 repair manual (same engine as yours) by the way the camshaft timing belt sprockets dont need to be removed, only if you are replacing the seals. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=52026

I would just take it easy, and remember to get the fluid drain and filled more often (use the severe duty mileage) Adding an additional tranny cooler wouldnt hurt....

Just wanted to caution you, the shock has a "d" flat cut in it where the bearing and strut mount go. It is possible to missalign this and torque it down and bind the bearing. Sorry wish I had a picture. The strut if mounted correctly will not bind no matter how tight you torque the nut. As for the three bolts there should be no problem. Also the mount is marked to go only in one direction facing forward. If you mount it incorrectly it will bind the strut.

Code58 has done the timing belt change. Yes I believe you would diffenitely have to remove the access panel on the right wheel. Sources for the timing belt are Partsgeek.com . The Mitushobisi belt is a OEM manufacturer. Another source is this one: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...playCatalogid=0 Here is what it looks like:

here is the sensor to replace: AS CODE58 said.....

Make sure you buy OeM Belt with timing marks on it. Will save you a tremendous amount of time.

That is truely beautiful, thanks for posting...

another source is Costco, I have never had one of their batteries fail. Great batteries, reasonable cost.....

What year is your car? I believe without navigation you are stuck. I did interface an ipod jack, but not one that you can read on the display. Here is the thread on that modification: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-first-g...-for-rx300.html

Because it doesnt meet the requirements of the socialist, european style of government. I appreciate your insight NC211 and others, but we the people have lost that statement in our present form of government. Capitolism is being replaced with socialism. Government feels they have the only solution. womb to grave mentality.

Partsgeek.com has all of the parts except the springs for $591. Then get the springs elsewhere.... http://www.partsgeek.com/cart/

Go with the coils, see what happens, everything else might clear up. I have 163k miles and have (knock on wood) lost no coils.

I would start with the coils, that would cause the air fuel sensors to read bad....Cost on coils should be around $80 to $100...each. http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...playCatalogid=0

the oil is either leaking past the rings, or the valve stem seals. they need to do a leak down test and determine where the problem is. Yea it envolves doing some true mechanical work, but that will give the results. I would never accept that kind of oil useage. good luck.

Your door lock actuator is bad. It is a pricey part, at least on the RX300 ($260) but can be repaired if you are handy. See this posting: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=41219

HERE IS THE PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING MAF SENSOR http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-first-g...bout-yours.html

Unfortunately, the valve body cleaning did not fix it, had to replace the tranny, too much metal debris damage. suspect the planetary gear carrier wore out. The original design incorporated an aluminum carrier with steel gears. The gears shaft wears in the carrier and start moving, causing failure of the gears.

the tell tale will be when you pull the pan. See if there is a lot of metal debris in the pan. I have personally removed the valve body for that exact code. Something was failing mechanically and the valve body had debris in it. You can clean the valve body with Mineral spirits. It is safe for the tranny when cleaning. I suspect your planetary gears are failing and contaminated the solenoid. Dont do a flush, it will make it worse. Good luck the solenoid is electrically controlled. Tolerances are extremely tight and any contaminants will mess up the valve body....Could be the solenoid is working, but the piston wont move.

here is another do it yourself from CL site. great writeup with pictures: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-first-g...e-pads-diy.html

Go to the RX300 forum and grab this how to thread at the top. The brake procedure is on around page 23 on the brake pdf download. As for tools, no nothing special other than socket set, maybe a "c" clamp, some jack stands. http://www.box.net/shared/o55c5697lt