RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I know there is a lot of info on this, but I just wanted to reaffirm my understanding of it.

Our relatives bought a 2008 ES350, 48K miles for 12k, which I think is a great deal, even without the nav. It was a later build, 7/2008, and the service records shows that on 3/2010, the last owner brought it to the dealer for the oil line, and they said that the recall didn't apply to this car.

From what I've read, anything built after May 2008 had the updated cooler line, and there shouldn't be any concerns. I just wanted to see if anyone knew for sure. Also, the dash has a very small spot on it that looks similar to the melting/sticky dash issue, so I told them to bring it to a dealer since the warranty for that is 10 years from the inservice date.

Any insight would be helpful, thanks in advance.

oldgrump

This is not the oil cooler oil line (there IS documentation that states that it is the oil cooler line, but it is incorrect) but it is the rear bank VVT oil supply line. If it is not ALL metal (still has a rubber section) then it should be replaced with the ALL metal one. There is a Technical Bulletin to accomplish this and I believe that Toyota/Lexus is still accomplishing this TB (LSC-9LH) (Limited Service Campaign) at no cost. Your 2008 ES350 may have had the "interim" oil line installed that had/has a rubber section in the line but it was NO good. This may have been installed on the first issue of the TB (and signed off) which may be confusing the dealer. Absolutely have the dealer check again that this oil line is ALL metal.......it's important. It is partially hidden by a metal bracket. It's about an hour job.

Cjet

What oldgrump said. My line blew in the 2007 ES. They replaced it with a rubber-sectioned one, which I argued against but they claimed that was all they had, and i didn't have the time to fight them (Thanks Westminster Lexus, CA), That was about 15k miles ago and I still haven't had it replaced properly. The time is coming though. Don't let them con you like they did me....get the metal pipe.

ESh

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

oldgrump

The early ES350 model years had a rear bank VVT oil supply line that had a neoprene flexible section that failed frequently which was subject of a TB that replaced this original oil line with an "improved" line (still with a neoprene flex section) (or, it appears that some dealers mickey moused a repair) which also was failing. These "improved" oil lines may have also been used on some later model year cars. After a particular build date of new cars (later '09, I think) and all subsequent model years the VVT oil line was an all metal tube (no flex section at all).

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Well I called several dealers and after giving them the vin, they all said the specific ES had the ugpraded hose and 9LH did not apply.

salvojimmy

Cjet

Excellent! Thank you!

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for that, it reaffirmed the dealers conclusion, the vin doesn't fall within the vehicles requiring replacement