btes300

Hey I've decided on trying to replace the valve cover gasket in my 95 lexus es300... It doesn't look too difficult and it beats paying 400 dollars for a mechanic to do it. Doesn't seem to be a long job either. I just need a few questions answered before I bother to try it. I'm trying this tutorial I found online. This is the link: http://www.wjowsa.com/?p=30

1. Do i need to drain the engine oil before I do this?

2. Do I really need to leave the car off for 24 hours?

I think that's basically it i might have other questions i can't think of though.

I talked to my mechanic again over the phone he said i needed the valve cover gasket replaced and a plumbing gasket. i'm looking online and everything but i'm not seeing anything about a plumbing gasket. I guess i'll look into it in the diagrams... Is there anything else i'd need to know? I know i should get a degreaser engine cleaner, a towel to wipe it down some rubber silicone to help secure it better. any help would be appreciated thanks.

#1. Go to auto-zone, advanced auto, napa, etc. and purchase a $20.00 haynes manual for that specific type of vehicle. In this manual you will find a detailed diagram on how to properly replace your valve cover gaskets. You will need RTV sealant, also purchased at auto-zone, to help seal the VCG onto the valve covers. Also, when you say "plumbing," theonly thing that comes to mind is the plenum gasket on the intake. If you have to remove the intake it's definitely in your best interest to replce it. You do not need to drain the oil out of the crank case unless debris accumulates into the crank case, so make sure you clear dirt, grease , etc. out of the way, keep it clean. As far as leaving your car off for 24 hrs., I would just make sure the engine is cool and then do it. Hope this helps and good luck!

bSt

Hey I've decided on trying to replace the valve cover gasket in my 95 lexus es300... It doesn't look too difficult and it beats paying 400 dollars for a mechanic to do it. Doesn't seem to be a long job either. I just need a few questions answered before I bother to try it. I'm trying this tutorial I found online. This is the link: http://www.wjowsa.com/?p=30

1. Do i need to drain the engine oil before I do this?

2. Do I really need to leave the car off for 24 hours?

I think that's basically it i might have other questions i can't think of though.

I talked to my mechanic again over the phone he said i needed the valve cover gasket replaced and a plumbing gasket. i'm looking online and everything but i'm not seeing anything about a plumbing gasket. I guess i'll look into it in the diagrams... Is there anything else i'd need to know? I know i should get a degreaser engine cleaner, a towel to wipe it down some rubber silicone to help secure it better. any help would be appreciated thanks.

#1. Go to auto-zone, advanced auto, napa, etc. and purchase a $20.00 haynes manual for that specific type of vehicle. In this manual you will find a detailed diagram on how to properly replace your valve cover gaskets. You will need RTV sealant, also purchased at auto-zone, to help seal the VCG onto the valve covers. Also, when you say "plumbing," theonly thing that comes to mind is the plenum gasket on the intake. If you have to remove the intake it's definitely in your best interest to replce it. Hope this helps and good luck!

bSt

hello, for the first time had my oil changed by someone else then the dealer. they worked on my gm cars for the last ten years never a problem, never asked if they worked on toyota or lexus. saved lots of money. got four oil changes, four tire rotations, four saftey inspection, $80. went in the shop twice to watch them work on my car. also had the trans flushed and fluid changed. (04 es330, 52000 miles). watched them do that too. clean work, good people. small chain about 6 or 7 stores. how about power steering fluid, can i change that myself? worked on a lot of gm cars, never worked on my lexus. any help would be great.

thanks,

tim

I have a 2000 es 300 and just flushed out the power steering stystem on friday. Mine used Dexron atf, which is transmission fluid. Put the car onto jackstands and get about 4-5 ft. of vinyl tubing, make sure the i.d. is large enough to fit over the return hose going into the top of the power steering resevoir. The bottom hose is generally the inlet hose. Un-clamp the return hose and slide it off the resevoir. Next use your vinyl tubing and slide it over the return hose putting the open end into some kind of container to collect the fluid. Now it's time to start your car. have someone consistently pour atf dexron into the resevoir until the fluid comes out red into the container, shut the car off and re- attach the return hose to the resevoir. Put the cap back on the resevoir and start the car again and turn the wheels left to right,but do not hit the stops, to get air out of the line. Now top the resevoir off to the correct temperature level. As you drive the system will work the air out itself. You should check the fluid again after a few miles to make sure the fluid is at the correct level and that there is no air bubbles present. Hope this helps.

Branden

When America's tire company installed my 4 new tires, they recommended I have a front wheel alignment. I asked if I needed the rear aligned and they said "no". So when I called Lexus service department, they said they only do 4 wheel alignments and not just two for the front. does this sound right? Should I just go somewhere else and get a front wheel alignment?

I have a 2000 es 300 and YES you do need to have both axles aligned because the front and rear suspension are independent of eachother. Your front end may be ok but some variance in the rear whether it be toe, camber, or caster can cause your steering wheel to pull left or right. Generally when you buy new tires or get any type of suspension work done (tie-rods, control arms, stabilizer bars, etc.) you should have an alignment done. Tires especially because you could cause uneven tread wear which is really the only thing that can happen within an unaligned car. As a matter of fact, I just had an alignment done yesterday and it was only $58.00 USD to have both front and rear done. I would check with your local shop to get this service performed, most shops also look over your suspension and adjust rear or front tie-rods if needed. So, if you hjave new tires why burn your $400+ investment because you don't want to shell out $60 for the alignment?

Branden