trips1

I have 99K miles on my 01 RX300. I never remember getting anything serviced in the AS since the time i bought it at 60K. I never used to use too much of air conditioner but this time I am using AC much more. Can someone in this knowledgeable group let me know if there is anything that needs to be checked/serviced as part of preventive maintenance. Or any fluid that i should get checked/changed. I see all the coupons in the newspaper for AC service/check,etc for 40-50$. Don't want to get ripped and so thought it fit to check on this forum. Thanks. Trips.

Has anyone experienced or know about transmission failure in FWD. From the posts it looks to me that everyone who saw transmission failing was driving AWD. Also should the filter be changed only if there are signs of clogging in the original metal filter/screen or it is advisable to change it every 30K miles (or 40/50K)?

As always i appreciate the help by everyone on this forum. I was thinking of doing the transmission fluid replacement on my RX300 and this time also look at replacing the transmission pan and filter as given in: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx300-foru...ter-change.html I was looking for the parts and came across the following website: http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2001/lexu...filter_kit.html The CRP kit is listed at 31.95$ and the others at 67.95. Does anyone know if the cheaper one is really bad? Additionally would Toyota dealer have this and is it strongly advisable to get it from Toyota/Lexus. What is the price? Thanks.

Thanks for your reply. Can you also comment how much it would cost approx to bleed the brakes. As i mentioned earlier that a mobile independent mechanic quoted me $40 (parts given by me) and Toyota dealership has a special for 129.99 for which they bleed and change the brake oil. Thanks a lot again.

I am only slightly mechanical and visit this website to get all the useful information to avoid getting ripped off. My brake paddle has started feeling too soft to me. Current Odometer reading: 97K miles Brake Work History: The brake pads were changed at 70K miles and the rotors resurfaced at Midas I am positive Midas screwed me big time.. they charged $650 for this job. But i was very new and did not know about this forum...... They literally scared me that if i drive more then the rotors would become damaged. :-( Anyways got the brake pads checked at 90K and was told that they had about 40% life remaining. Brake Oil in the container under the hood looks quite okay. Problem: Brake Paddle feels too soft and go down about 3/4 for complete braking. Looking for what is to be done to fix this. Only change Brake Oil? I am not sure if i understand what bleeding brakes mean. Do i need to bleed brakes? How much should it cost? Local Toyota dealer has a special of 129.99 to bleed and change the brake oil. An independent mobile mechanic on craigslist quotes $40 to bleed the brakes. I will have to provide all the parts/oil needed. Thanks a lot in advance to all the wonderful people on this website!!!!

So i am getting a quote from a local Toyota dealer as: Timing Belt+Driving Belt+inspect/replace seals. = $349 - 10%coupon discount = approx $315 Additionally changing water pump = $300 - 10% discount = $270 I am not sure if the price for the water pump replacement is too high. Or is it okay? www.thepartsbin.com shows the price of water pump from $44(A1 Cardone) to $90 (NPW). And the replacement coolant should not be more than 20-30$. So $270+Tax for water pump looks a little high to me, unless it involves something additional.

Actually i had looked at clublexus also and different threads had different information. I think finally the conclusion is that the RX300 engine is interference. Here is one of the post from clublexus indicating that everyone (including Moderator Lexmex) previously thought that the engine is non interference. I really appreciate everyone's response on this thread. From Clublexus ================== Quote: Originally Posted by sktn77a View Post Wow, LexMex, are you sure? We always thought (on this forum) that the RX300 had a non-interference engine. What changed this opinion? I had my belt changed today (see my other post) and I'm sure glad I did, if this is the case! Lexmex and I for a long time thought the 1mz-fe is non-interference but it turned out 1mz-fe VVT-i is interference. ==================

A little bit of googling have got me further confused. Some people have quoted that Lexus RX300 is non interference. I hope a call to Toyota and Lexus service center can confirm if RX300 2WD 2001 is an interference or non interference engine. Or does anyone know if a call to the Lexus corporate and requesting them to get this answered by their mechanical team is a better option. :-(

I did a search on "non interference engine" in this forum and there are different opinions. Some have even provided documentation to support that RX300 after a certain year has non interference engine. I am not sure if there is a way for me to confirm this. Lenore i will go by what you say that RX300 has interference engine. Anyways I have a 2001 2WD RX300 with about 95K miles. So i guess its time for me to get the timing belt changed now :-(

Thanks for all the info. I think you folks are right that if one plan to keep the vehicle till 150-175K then why wait. Better change it at 90K. Somehow after reading older threads i got an impression that timing belt as well as spark plugs would last 125K or even a little more. Anyways i think a lot of discussion happened on this forum on interference vs non-interference and it was finally determined that Lexus RX300 (at least 2000 and above) have non interference engine. One more question. Any comments on getting the timing belt and water pump done by Toyota Vs done by an independent mechanic.

I have 96K miles and when i was at 90K thinking of doing timing belt i looked at older posts and decided to hold the timing belt and water pump work till 125K or even a little longer. All the previous post suggested that no one at least on this forum has seen any damage to the timing belt till 140-150K. And when they got it changed at 90K it was as good as new.

Thanks to everyone on posting so much of useful information on Transmission oil change and other issues. I was going through the following DIY thread: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx300-foru...ter-change.html I am a novice and have few questions. Why do we have to change the Oil Strainer and Filter. Can it not be cleaned?? If the original filter is a metallic mesh then i would assume it can be cleaned with Alcohol based cleaners? Also since so many of you may have done this. Can i ask what is the best place to get the required parts: 35168-21010 and 35330-06010? Any online store? Thanks a lot to everyone in advance.

Please can someone comment if Tranny failures are "mostly" seen on AWD. Or 2WD are also similarly prone to tranny failure with the same high probability. :( My 2WD RX300 (2001) has 95K miles and these Tranny failure postings are making me nervous. I already got the engine replaced at 65K miles for the sludge issue which was fortunately done by Lexus free of cost.

It sounds that you are dealing with oil sludge issue. Google it or search this forum to get all the information. You can also take a look at: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007...settlement.html If you are still within 8 years of your RX manufacture/sold date then you can get it repaired free at any Lexus Dealer.

I am facing the morning starting problem with my 2001 Rx300. This forum suggests cleaning the IACV to fix this. I am just wondering if i can use the CRC MAF cleaner to clean the IACV. I believe it should be fine, but wanted to check with some learned and knowledgeable people on this forum :-) If not then what cleaner should be used to clean IACV? Thanks a lot.

Thanks for your reply. What about the temp sensor. Can it be sprayed with the MAF cleaner too??

I was going through the MAF cleaning procedure very well documented in the following link. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/knowledge...id=152&c=11 I would really appreciate comments on the followin (I am going to use CRC MAF cleaner that i bought from Kragen) - Spraying the wires 2-3 times with the cleaner is good enough or do i need to use a cotton bud to clean the wires as the above link says. I am really scared to damage the MAF. Won't the cotton/thread get attached to the wire. - What about the Temperature Sensor. Can i spray it with the same CRC MAF cleaner or i need something else. - Also should i use a cotton bud for cleaning the temp sensor or spray would be good enough. Thanks a lot.

Thanks for the info. I have a 2WD. With sky rocketing gas prices 15mpg sucks!!!!! :-)

I was going through the forum and find that people are getting 17-20mpg in city!! I have a lexus RX300, 2001, 89500 miles and am getting 15mpg in city and around 19-20mpg on freeways. I got a 90K mile service done (without timing belt change) along with transmission flush at 88000 at a Toyota dealer. I did not get the spark plugs changed. It has been through the oil sludging problem at 70K when Lexus changed "some" part of the engine as part of the warranty. I have average driving habits and drive in california i.e. in a moderate weather. - So i am just wondering why my mpg is so low. It used to by 17mpg but has gone down to 15mpg now :-( - And if i want to take it to a Toyota service center or any independent mechanic what should i ask them to check? - Or is it advisable to take it to Lexus Service Center (though they are gonna suck money) Can there be an issue with the Oxygen Sensor. How and where can i get it checked if needed. Can there be an issue with the spark plugs? Again how do i find out that. Anything else that can be wrong? I don't want to go to a dealer or independent mechanic and ask them to investigate and then let them throw tons of improvements that may not be necessary at all........ Thanks a lot in advance.

Thanks for the email!! I called the Extended warranty customer care and they do cover the strut upper mount part and labor. And the rep said that strut part is not covered but if i am getting the strut changed along with the upper mount then both would be covered by the same labor. So i guess the Toyota dealership wanted to change the whole strut. The extended warranty rep suggested me to buy the strut myself and then take it to any lexus/toyota dealer or an independent mechanic who can buy the upper mount separately. Please can someone help me with few more "novice" :( questions: - What part number i need to buy? I find that Strut assembly is composed of multiple parts. (coil spring, strut rod). - A good website/store to buy it. Thanks.

I have 87,000 miles on my Lexus RX300, 2001. There is some noise on my front left side wheel, especially on bumps. A toyota dealership diagnosed that the Struts Upper Mount has gone bad. After going through tons of emails on this topic it looks the Lexus Tech Service Bulletin (TSB) has covered this topic. Please can someone help me with the following: 1- Is the issue also present in 2001 RX300 and documented in TSB. (All the emails pointed out that it is only with 99 and 00 RX's) 2- I have a Lexus Gold extended warranty. My toyota dealer called the customer care and they were willing to cover the labor. I am asked to pay 189*2 (for bothe sides) i.e. total 378 to replace these. Is it genuine. I guess upper mount is some rubber bearings. The extended warranty Gold plan reads "Suspension: (Front and Rear): Bushings/Bearings, Control Arm Shafts, Electronic Modulated Suspension, Actuator/Motor; Radius Arm; Spindle; Spindle Support, Steering Knuckle, Upper and Lower Ball Joints, Upper and Lower Control Arms" Should the Gold plan not cover the Strut Upper Mount?? 3- Should i buy the Strut Upper Mount bushings/rubber from outside and get it replaced by some independent mechanic. Any idea on the cost, part+labor?? Does anyone knows the part numbers and where should i buy them from? 4- If i don't get the upper mount changed can it be dangerous or affect the entire strut body or any other parts. I really appreciate the time that you all spend in maintaining this forum and helping novice like me.

So the extended warranty on my 2001 lexus RX300 expires soon and that gives a little shiver to me especially after reading about the trans failure, O2 Sensors, etc etc. There are 87000 miles on my car and i am wondering about the following options. I would appreciate any kind of advice on it. 1- Look fo an independent mechanic and ask him to thoroughly check my RX300. I would let him know that i am there only for checkup and would not get any repairs done from him. I believe this way the mechanic won't bloat the repairs needed, if any. ANY recommendations on mechanics for lexus RX300 in San Diego?? And how much should i expect to pay for a full car checkup? 2- Get a 90K mile service done now even though the miles on it are only 87000. Again got to Lexus dealer for this. Am quoted around 2000$ which included timing belt and water pump change. Around 1000$ without timing belt and water pump. Or go to Toyota dealer for this. Am quoted approx 400$ without timing belt and water pump. 3- I was thinking of getting the 90K mile service done now without timing belt and then go for a timing belt and water pump change around 100K/110K miles on it. Since the engine is non interference i hope this would be safe. Anyways my my concern is that the extended warranty gets over soon and i want to be sure that if anything is wrong and covered by warranty is fixed before that. Thanks. Trips.

Also i forgot to mention that the price for the spiral cable replacement would be $685. As per suggestion in one of the replies i would ask my dealer for more information. Anyone thinks that it should be covered by the extended warranty??

Hello All. I really appreciate the time and effort that you all put maintaining this mailing list. When i bought my Lexus RX300 I bought extended warranty with it (Toyota Extra Care Gold which is same as Lexus Extra Care Gold). Now my steering seems to make a very very light noise as if you are twisting a wire. The lexus dealer said that "Recommend Replacing Spiral Cable" and that it would not be covered by the extended warranty. Also it is not necessary for me to get it changed as it is not a serious issue. I am reading my extended warranty card and in the steering section it says: Steering: Gear Box internal components and; Bushings/Bearings; Center Link; Hoses, Lines and Tubes, Idler Arm; Pitman Arm; Power Steering pump; Rack and Pinion; Seals and Gaskets; Steering Column; Steering Column coupling; Steering column shaft; steering dampner; steering Gear; Box and Pump Housing; Tie Rod End I really don't exactly understand what the "spiral cable" thingy is. Reading at the gold care protection it looks to me that it should ideally be covered under Steering Column. Please can someone let me know if this is covered by the extended warranty or not. If not then it is fine. If it is covered then i would be able to fight with my lexus dealer. Thanks a lot in advance.