Dave_02RX300

I'm not sure where this slight drip comes from. It looks like something in the power train, where the axle comes out of. If I can get the name of this area, maybe I can google what kind of leak or drip this is, to better understand the severity. It took 4 weeks to make this drip spot on the floor (the car was garaged while on vacation). Last oil change was about a year ago, and 1500 miles. And the oil is still tip top on the level. Tell me the best, or tell me the worst. Thanks

I tried a mixture of pepper and water - spray did not deter the critter. I also bought a bottle of peppermint spray - it didn't stop the critter either, but the car smelled good. I wish I could change the title of the post - it's not a chipmunk, it was mice. I bought 4 mouse traps (the plastic easy set kind) and set one next to each front wheel, one on the battery (carefully arranged to not short it), and one on the engine cover. This morning, I had two dead mice: passenger wheel, and engine cover. I'd post the photos, but that may violate some forum rules, so to summarize: two dead mice in traps. My trail cam caught one of them. Also, the neighborhood cat investigated (seen on the trail cam)... she had ONE JOB! I guess she's more into birds.

I'm starting to think it's a MOUSE. Gonna set up the trail cam tonight and see what's in there. If it's NOT a chipmunk, then I'll have to go all medieval on his a**.

He's eating the sunflower seeds kicked out of the birdfeeder, under my hood. I know it's a chipmunk because I've seen him take the seeds. I cleaned up his little mess, and put two drops of Frank's Hot Sauce in there, along with a few tiny flakes of red pepper.

I was looking at the dongar.tech website to see if there was a dongle for the RX300 mirror, and thought I would search the RX300 posts here for "dashcam" - but there were no posts. Has anyone installed, easily, a dashcam on their RX300?

My 2002 RX300 has 145k. I already did the 90k maintenance (at 97k) years ago... which included the timing belt, brake fluid, etc. I just spent an hour going through all my records: no record of transmission fluid nor spark plugs. Is it time for first time plugs and first time transmission fluid change? And should I change the brake fluid again? And I hope the water pump lasts for ever.

Aw crap! I need to put the cross bars back on (now 16 years later!) I need to figure out which direction they go, and how to do it - next time I'll take photos and write this stuff down... doh!

It was definitely NOT the Manifold Gasket... and my last post said Ody (my other car), so the strain has shown... Repairs complete: Replace both side Valve Covers (gaskets) Replace Front Crank Seal and Replace two cam seals Replace lower oil pan gasket Change oil and Filter

The Ody has really been stinkin' for quite a few months. The oil leak is much worse, and it drips onto the exhaust manifold. And it shows oil spots on the driveway now. I'm having the following repaired: Valve Gasket Oil pan Gasket Front main seal about 800$ of stuff. Hopefully this will stop all the leaks. The rear main seal is hopefully OK. I'll know after this crap is complete. Otherwise, it's about another 600$.

Thanks for the replies - I have about 125,000 miles on the car. The issues seems steady state now - now getting worse - I only get the leak+smell when I rev up to 85+mph - California highways ;-). I'll have a mechanic check it out, especially the valve cover gasket. I replaced one of those on a 1991 Camry Wagon (V6) a long time ago.

From 2006: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/33197-failing-exhaust-gasket/#comment-214276 I thought I better post a new thread since the old one is dated 2006, and maybe those lucky folks have new RX's. About 6 months ago (early 2016) with about 120k on my 2002 RX300, I noticed some burning oil smell, intermittently, at 65+MPH. I have finally tracked it down to an oil wet spot on two of the bolts that hold the front exhaust manifold. I'm hoping it's just the gasket, and not a crack in something. -Dave

I have a small oil leak in front at the gasket, intermittent, but when it does drop a drip of oil on the manifold, it's pretty stinky. I'll post more details in a new thread, as this is 2006 and I'm posting now in 2016. Thanks for the great history of these cars. -Dave

Indeed they replaced the coolant (what Dad used to call radiator fluid). They did not replace the trans. fluid. Supposedly they inspected it - I'll ask for a report on that inspection. Something new: When the stereo is played just loud enough, the passenger door handle rattles on the outside of the car. I could use duct tape to fix this, but then we won't be able to use the passenger door ^_^ Has anyone ever resolved an outside door handle rattle, and are there any images that show a good fix? And why would this occur only now - post 90k maintenance, while driving home from the shop? Here's the cross link to the new issue so we don't plug up this thread: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/15762-rattling-behind-door-panel/

I have this problem now too. When the stereo is played just loud enough, the passenger door handle rattles on the outside of the car. I could use duct tape to fix this, but then we won't be able to use the passenger door ^_^ Has anyone ever resolved an outside door handle rattle, and are there any images that show a good fix?

Well, looks like you're right. I wonder why (a) the quote for the WP wasn't lower, since they're already doing the effort for the timing belt. and (b) the dealer said I don't need it. Oh well, when the pump goes, if it goes, I will worry about that the... Here's an interesting video of someone changing the timing belt and WP on an 03: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPwYEgrcHA8 Hopefully if the WP ever does go... I will know that sound to a "t". I heard it on the old Volvo, and also on my old 82 Tercel. I won't ever forget that sound of a water pump "about to go"