Hi.
I am very worried now after reading all these comments. I bought my brand new RX 300 Lexus with zero mileage in 2002 and have been driving it ever since. I just recently encountered a problem with it at 77,000 miles. It started to leak some oil and when I took it in for the dealer to check it out, they told me it was my rear main engine gasket and that it will cost $1.300 to fix. Apparently, it is a labor intensive job. I have heard this problem as well as the transmission are major flaws/issues with RX 300 and 330 Lexus models. It was suggested to me to just trade the car in for something else b/c the headaches are coming.
My question to all of you is as follows:
Has anyone encountered this problem with the rear engine gasket and if so did he/she fix it? After fixing it did you have problems again?
Do you recommend just trading it in?
P.s. Like almost everyone of you, I always get it services at the dealer and take really good care of it.
As a used car dealer dealing in mainly high line cars, I can honestly say The Lexus brand cars are tops! Period. I'm a bit surpised by all of the tranny problems some of you have encountered. For the rear main seal issues, there are a number of remedies that you can try. First, you can pay the dealer a gob of cash to replace what amounts to a $25 seal, or you can use a seal conditioner in the oil which will usually stop all but the worst seal leaks. It's a good idea anyway as all cars start to leak through the seals after around 75k miles or so, if even ever so lightly. Shop your local parts store, they cost about $10 a bottle!
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