solomaniac

Recently hit a pothole in my 2012 IS350 F-Sport with 73k miles...Blown tire, relatively big hole in the cross member with obvious impact on the bottom oil pan, leaving a big dent in the pan with a subsequent oil leak.

Without a doubt, it absolutely APPEARS to be leaking oil from the bottom oil pan gasket, where it joins the upper pan. My mechanic's fortay is Japanese Engine Repair and is well versed with Lexus...He replaced the bottom oil pan and has 4 times now, yes 4 times, re-sealed the bottom pan to the upper pan with black, grey, black and black again...FIPG (Form In Place Gasket) sealant only for it to APPEAR over and over as a leak in the gasket, in the same spot, between the upper and lower pan??

Stumped-were now forced to consider next replacing the upper pan, as it can't seem to be a faulty seal job 4 times over...Big Job and very costly...assuming it must be a crack in the upper aluminum pan at the lip, where it meets and seals with the lower pan. Anyone out there please help if I'm missing something and should try anything else before replacing the upper pan next...Thanks!! Dealership wants 3k in labor alone...thats obviously not happening....

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

Have your mechanic use UV dye to find the leak. It should be obvious to find where it's coming from top, or bottom pan.

Good luck.

2013FSport

iTrader: (2)

So the bottom pan was replaced w/a used or new pan and the original leak was not through a hole in the pan but from the FIPG between the upper and lower pan?

I clean all mating surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone, assemble with FIPG. Allow to cure. I guess the question now is did the impact unseat the FIPG right at the engine block to pan?

If the original lower pan was reused, was it thoroughly inspected for cracks? Or maybe it was patched in some way!??

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Not sure if you're in the area where this firm practices, but...http://downtownlalaw.com/pot-hole-ac...adway-lawyers/

solomaniac

Bottom Replacement is OEM brand new I purchased from Lexus Dealership and original leak was from the FIPG where the two pans meet, appearing as though the "seal" broke....Bottom Pan was bent with big dent but no hole. Took to dealership today for 2nd opinion and dye test...Pre inspection the service manager basically bashed any non Lexus Dealership mechanic, aftermarket FIPG and quality of my mechanics work. 20 mins later he gave me the assessment....Exactly the same as my guys in that its a possibility the quality of work in applying the FIPG (4 times over) could be the cause of the leak.. however there is a very solid chance its a hairline crack/damage to upper pan where the 2 join causing the leak...only way to know for sure is for them to now remove the bottom pan, reseal with FIPG and see if it still leaks...$500 or so to reseal pan and $3k or so for the upper pan if in fact it is a crack and needs to be replaced....No thanks, bought OEM upper pan from them for $150 and having my guy do the job tomorrow for about $600 in total...Worth the $70 second opinion from Lexus though to hear the same assessment as my mechanic gave...Wish me luck lol

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Good luck! Are you looking into recouping any of the potholes damages from the city/state?