ES 350 Timing Leak Ripped off by dealer
11-12-23, 05:21 PM
#1
10th Gear
Thread Starter
ES 350 Timing Leak Ripped off by dealer
I want to share some dubious experiences with my recent dealership experience.
I have a 2020 ES 350 with about 39k miles on it.
On Friday, I sent the car to one of the dealerships for 40k maintenance, just an oil and oil filter change.
One hour after the car entered the maintenance bay, the service manager asked me to follow him and showed me that the timing cover was leaking. I didn't see it but saw oil dripping off. I think it is just releasing the oil, not the actual leaking.
The service manager told me it was covered under warranty and I would get a free oil change. So I leave my car there.
I was monitoring the Lexus app, so I could know when it was last ignited and how many more miles were added. Also, I had an airtag on the car, so I could know the location. Oh, I also have a dash cam.
The car might ignite next Monday afternoon for a very short amount of time, and no miles were added.
On Tuesday, the service manager called me the parts were delivered and ready to install.
On Friday afternoon, the service manager called me that the car was ready for pickup.
I checked the oil was new with a yellow color, so I definitely got the oil change.
Here are the facts that I think the dealer tried to scam the Lexus for labor costs.
Based on the Lexus app, the car was put back in the garage right after I left. It might ignite once very shortly on next Monday. Then the next time it was ignited was the next Friday morning.
The airtag tracking history showed the same thing.
I just finished reviewing the dash cam, it didn't record every detail.
The car was indeed sent back to the garage right after I left. The next recording shows the car was parked for the whole week until next Friday at 8 AM. I checked it was the same spot. It wasn't moved at all.
The car was in the service bay for about 1 hour 30 minutes and left the bay for a testing ride for 10 minutes, followed by car wash. And it was put back in the garage around 11 AM.
The service record was never reported to Lexus or Carfax. Since I can't find them after a week.
Therefore I am 100% sure they never removed the engine and did the fix they claimed on the receipt.
What should I do next? Pretend that I didn't know or report to Lexus?
I have a 2020 ES 350 with about 39k miles on it.
On Friday, I sent the car to one of the dealerships for 40k maintenance, just an oil and oil filter change.
One hour after the car entered the maintenance bay, the service manager asked me to follow him and showed me that the timing cover was leaking. I didn't see it but saw oil dripping off. I think it is just releasing the oil, not the actual leaking.
The service manager told me it was covered under warranty and I would get a free oil change. So I leave my car there.
I was monitoring the Lexus app, so I could know when it was last ignited and how many more miles were added. Also, I had an airtag on the car, so I could know the location. Oh, I also have a dash cam.
The car might ignite next Monday afternoon for a very short amount of time, and no miles were added.
On Tuesday, the service manager called me the parts were delivered and ready to install.
On Friday afternoon, the service manager called me that the car was ready for pickup.
I checked the oil was new with a yellow color, so I definitely got the oil change.
Here are the facts that I think the dealer tried to scam the Lexus for labor costs.
Based on the Lexus app, the car was put back in the garage right after I left. It might ignite once very shortly on next Monday. Then the next time it was ignited was the next Friday morning.
The airtag tracking history showed the same thing.
I just finished reviewing the dash cam, it didn't record every detail.
The car was indeed sent back to the garage right after I left. The next recording shows the car was parked for the whole week until next Friday at 8 AM. I checked it was the same spot. It wasn't moved at all.
The car was in the service bay for about 1 hour 30 minutes and left the bay for a testing ride for 10 minutes, followed by car wash. And it was put back in the garage around 11 AM.
The service record was never reported to Lexus or Carfax. Since I can't find them after a week.
Therefore I am 100% sure they never removed the engine and did the fix they claimed on the receipt.
What should I do next? Pretend that I didn't know or report to Lexus?
11-12-23, 05:48 PM
#2
Instructor
If I was you I'd just pretend nothing happened and moved on with life. I don't see what you are trying to accomplish here. If your engine is not leaking now, then who cares? They showed you the leak before, ordered parts, fixed it, and gave you your car back. It's not like you were ripped off. You are clearly not mechanically inclined so you are really out of your league here to comment on the work performed. I think if you bring this up to Lexus or the dealer you will come out looking like a fool.
Perhaps I missed something but wouldn't your car being in the service bay and off from Tuesday-Friday indicate the repair was done at that time? Your car will not be started or moved during the repair.
Perhaps I missed something but wouldn't your car being in the service bay and off from Tuesday-Friday indicate the repair was done at that time? Your car will not be started or moved during the repair.
I want to share some dubious experiences with my recent dealership experience.
I have a 2020 ES 350 with about 39k miles on it.
On Friday, I sent the car to one of the dealerships for 40k maintenance, just an oil and oil filter change.
One hour after the car entered the maintenance bay, the service manager asked me to follow him and showed me that the timing cover was leaking. I didn't see it but saw oil dripping off. I think it is just releasing the oil, not the actual leaking.
The service manager told me it was covered under warranty and I would get a free oil change. So I leave my car there.
I was monitoring the Lexus app, so I could know when it was last ignited and how many more miles were added. Also, I had an airtag on the car, so I could know the location. Oh, I also have a dash cam.
The car might ignite next Monday afternoon for a very short amount of time, and no miles were added.
On Tuesday, the service manager called me the parts were delivered and ready to install.
On Friday afternoon, the service manager called me that the car was ready for pickup.
I checked the oil was new with a yellow color, so I definitely got the oil change.
Here are the facts that I think the dealer tried to scam the Lexus for labor costs.
Based on the Lexus app, the car was put back in the garage right after I left. It might ignite once very shortly on next Monday. Then the next time it was ignited was the next Friday morning.
The airtag tracking history showed the same thing.
I just finished reviewing the dash cam, it didn't record every detail.
The car was indeed sent back to the garage right after I left. The next recording shows the car was parked for the whole week until next Friday at 8 AM. I checked it was the same spot. It wasn't moved at all.
The car was in the service bay for about 1 hour 30 minutes and left the bay for a testing ride for 10 minutes, followed by car wash. And it was put back in the garage around 11 AM.
The service record was never reported to Lexus or Carfax. Since I can't find them after a week.
Therefore I am 100% sure they never removed the engine and did the fix they claimed on the receipt.
What should I do next? Pretend that I didn't know or report to Lexus?
I have a 2020 ES 350 with about 39k miles on it.
On Friday, I sent the car to one of the dealerships for 40k maintenance, just an oil and oil filter change.
One hour after the car entered the maintenance bay, the service manager asked me to follow him and showed me that the timing cover was leaking. I didn't see it but saw oil dripping off. I think it is just releasing the oil, not the actual leaking.
The service manager told me it was covered under warranty and I would get a free oil change. So I leave my car there.
I was monitoring the Lexus app, so I could know when it was last ignited and how many more miles were added. Also, I had an airtag on the car, so I could know the location. Oh, I also have a dash cam.
The car might ignite next Monday afternoon for a very short amount of time, and no miles were added.
On Tuesday, the service manager called me the parts were delivered and ready to install.
On Friday afternoon, the service manager called me that the car was ready for pickup.
I checked the oil was new with a yellow color, so I definitely got the oil change.
Here are the facts that I think the dealer tried to scam the Lexus for labor costs.
Based on the Lexus app, the car was put back in the garage right after I left. It might ignite once very shortly on next Monday. Then the next time it was ignited was the next Friday morning.
The airtag tracking history showed the same thing.
I just finished reviewing the dash cam, it didn't record every detail.
The car was indeed sent back to the garage right after I left. The next recording shows the car was parked for the whole week until next Friday at 8 AM. I checked it was the same spot. It wasn't moved at all.
The car was in the service bay for about 1 hour 30 minutes and left the bay for a testing ride for 10 minutes, followed by car wash. And it was put back in the garage around 11 AM.
The service record was never reported to Lexus or Carfax. Since I can't find them after a week.
Therefore I am 100% sure they never removed the engine and did the fix they claimed on the receipt.
What should I do next? Pretend that I didn't know or report to Lexus?
The following users liked this post:
lgb0250 (11-13-23)
11-12-23, 05:58 PM
#3
10th Gear
Thread Starter
I am not being ripped off, but the Lexus clearly is.
They claimed that they replaced lots of seals and gaskets. But it is definitely impossible to do so without dropping off the engine itself.
The total amount of time the car stayed on the lift was less than 90 minutes. How could it be possible?
The only reason why I checked the dashcam is that the service record still hadn't been updated after more than a week. It is usually instant.
They claimed that they replaced lots of seals and gaskets. But it is definitely impossible to do so without dropping off the engine itself.
The total amount of time the car stayed on the lift was less than 90 minutes. How could it be possible?
The only reason why I checked the dashcam is that the service record still hadn't been updated after more than a week. It is usually instant.
11-12-23, 06:13 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Red flag to me that they agreed to reseal the timing cover @39K. Most likely they would have told you nothing wrong or it's "normal". The job will take at least 2 days.
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hendricks (11-12-23)
11-12-23, 07:23 PM
#5
Instructor
I am not being ripped off, but the Lexus clearly is.
They claimed that they replaced lots of seals and gaskets. But it is definitely impossible to do so without dropping off the engine itself.
The total amount of time the car stayed on the lift was less than 90 minutes. How could it be possible?
The only reason why I checked the dashcam is that the service record still hadn't been updated after more than a week. It is usually instant.
They claimed that they replaced lots of seals and gaskets. But it is definitely impossible to do so without dropping off the engine itself.
The total amount of time the car stayed on the lift was less than 90 minutes. How could it be possible?
The only reason why I checked the dashcam is that the service record still hadn't been updated after more than a week. It is usually instant.
Is it possible the tech noticed the dash cam and disconnected it for a few days during the work? You think you have proof but to me I don't see any actual proof. Let's see pics of the seals and the dash cam footage with timestamps.
11-12-23, 07:38 PM
#6
10th Gear
Thread Starter
Now who is not mechanically inclined?
What are seals and gaskets? And where are they?
If you know, then you will understand it is in between parts and they are most likely not visible because they are hidden.
What are seals and gaskets? And where are they?
If you know, then you will understand it is in between parts and they are most likely not visible because they are hidden.
11-12-23, 08:16 PM
#7
Instructor
Look at the receipt, you should be able to see the timing cover seal. Check the subframe bolts for "witness marks".
Trending Topics
11-12-23, 10:36 PM
#9
...
Here are the facts that I think the dealer tried to scam the Lexus for labor costs.
...
The service record was never reported to Lexus or Carfax. Since I can't find them after a week.
Therefore I am 100% sure they never removed the engine and did the fix they claimed on the receipt.
...
Here are the facts that I think the dealer tried to scam the Lexus for labor costs.
...
The service record was never reported to Lexus or Carfax. Since I can't find them after a week.
Therefore I am 100% sure they never removed the engine and did the fix they claimed on the receipt.
...
Warranty Claim Submission: Warranty Policy 4.18
• ANY leak repair to be performed under warranty requires photo documentation of the active leak.
• This documentation showing the cause of defect MUST be created prior to the start of the repair and attached to the warranty claim.
• Photos MUST be clear and provide perspective image(s) that identify the affected component(s) and close-up image(s) that illustrate the defect or condition.
• For additional information regarding application and eligibility, please reference Warranty Policy 4.18.
• ANY leak repair to be performed under warranty requires photo documentation of the active leak.
• This documentation showing the cause of defect MUST be created prior to the start of the repair and attached to the warranty claim.
• Photos MUST be clear and provide perspective image(s) that identify the affected component(s) and close-up image(s) that illustrate the defect or condition.
• For additional information regarding application and eligibility, please reference Warranty Policy 4.18.
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LS500Fan (11-13-23)
11-13-23, 06:51 AM
#11
Dashcam needs 12V power to operate so does the DCM to report the cars status. The first step to drop the engine is to disconnect the battery. At this point both the DCM and Dashcam go to sleep until power is reconnected. Sort of like an open heart surgery...
The following 2 users liked this post by toyotaman7:
ATL350 (11-13-23),
dklanecky1 (11-13-23)
11-13-23, 07:15 AM
#12
"The service record was never reported to Lexus or Carfax. Since I can't find them after a week."
Perhaps I'm not up to date on it all, but is it actually a fact that a dealer reports repairs to Carfax? The Lexus maintenance system, I can see (and can we as consumers actually access that? If so, how?) I cab understand, but why would a dealership or Lexus itself reports repairs to a third party like that?
Perhaps I'm not up to date on it all, but is it actually a fact that a dealer reports repairs to Carfax? The Lexus maintenance system, I can see (and can we as consumers actually access that? If so, how?) I cab understand, but why would a dealership or Lexus itself reports repairs to a third party like that?
11-13-23, 07:34 AM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Hard to believe a Lexus dealer or quite candidly, any dealer of a major manufacturer would engage in this sort of fraudulent behavior but who knows.
11-13-23, 08:21 AM
#14
10th Gear
Thread Starter
11-13-23, 08:26 AM
#15
10th Gear
Thread Starter
But see if the following makes sense.
On the first Friday, the car was put back in the garage right after I left, and the next Friday, the car was picked up from the same spot and serviced for about 90 minutes. The surroundings and the parking spot number in my dashcam can prove that.
And there is no video showing the car moved in between.