Barryst

Hi!
After doing my timing belt for the first time, I now want to do my knock sensors and rear main seal.(Leaking!)
- My question is, can you remove just the engine from the top.
Or do you have to take it out from the bottom with the transmission.

Thanks,
Barryst.

Lexmex

If you want to leave the tranny on there, do it from the bottom.

lexus114

You know,I havn`t really thought about it before.Usually,with this kind of chasis,you are best off removing everything from the bottom.

Barryst

How high do you have to get the car up to get enough clearence??

I don't have a "real lift", thats why I wanted to use a chain fall and hoist it out from up top.

Nobody has ever done this before? I just wanted to know if it was possible.

Thanks;
Barryst

lexus114

Well,anytime I have seen this done,it was on a lift.Maybe someone elese on here can add some of their expertise.

Lexmex

My uncle and I almost did something similar when we removed my transmission last November as we tilted the engine downward since I didn't want to ruin my modified exhaust tubing underneath the engine. You'd have to at least get the front about 4 feet or so off the ground, perhaps the upper point of any large hydraulic jack.

salimshah

I was under the impression that removing (displacing) the transmission is less complex to access the main seal... [although a slight lift of engine to get exit angle for the transmission]

Depending on the leak, it may be better to live with it.

Salim

Barryst

OK then!

My next question,

Has anyone taken out their transmission from above, instead of underneath the vehicle??-

I just want to be able to get at that rear main seal.

-I'm leaking about a quart a week.

19psi

i've seen them come out the top or bottom. for the trans, i'd just drop it from the bottom, not a bad job. i dont' think you can get it out the top...

salimshah

I have not undertaken the task, but I envision it to be ...

1. Lift the front of the Rx. [est 3 - 4+ ft]
2. Undo the front suspension (to free up the drive half shafts)
3. Mark and remove the half-shafts.
4. Drain the trans fluid and engine oil.
5. Disconnect links, pipes, electrical connectors from the transmission.
6. Support the transmission and undo transmission mounts and the bell-housing (it may have a different name).
7. Most likely undo the engine mounts and lift/tilt the engine to allow the trans to slide out.



Salim

stevesxm

and , frankly, before i had the motor out for that " rear main seal" i would seriously second guess that diagnosis. i haven't seen a read main seal leak like that on a jap motor... make that ANY modern motor in 30 years. i'm not certain where its located on your motor but i might have a REALLY close look at the oil pressure sending unit or the cam cover gaskets that are probably the real cause and the oil running down. i don't believe the rear main seal thing for a minute.

19psi

rx300's rear mains leak all the time. over 100k miles, it leaks. i've done too many to remember...

Barryst

The oil is comming from the split underneath, between the transmission and the motor.

I tried 4 cycles of Auto-RX and I think it made it worse.-

I also have 230,000 miles on engine.

Anyways, I'm going to do my Knock sensors next weekend, and take a really hard look at how everything is arranged in there for removal.-

Thank you guys for all the feedback!

I LOVE my RX!!!!

salimshah

Maybe you can take a few minutes and pen down real process.

Salim

Lexmex

Yep. I know that spot. I had a crankcase leak (on the rear), but that stuff I was using from Liqui Moly put and end to it and some compression problems, http://store.interautopartssd.com/mo...39790225f6e03a

That and some heavier oil, like a 5W40 or 0W40 might help.

Often times, the leak is coming out of the transfer case on the AWD, something I had for a while until we replaced the seals when I did transmission work in December, you probably remember the thread, https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=320390