I have a Lexus RX 350 all-wheel drive SUV with 407,000 mi on it. It's been such a wonderful car Still has original trans and engine and only required general maintenance and I would like to keep it to 500,000 to 600,000, mi.
MY question is about oil air cooler. The hose to the air cooler is stiff and mechanic says to replace might need to replace oil air cooler in addition to the hose. Thoughts about whether to just replace hose? There are no major leaks of oil and car is running perfectly.

 

It's Good to be Proactive with the car's Maintenance, but there's an old saying- "If it Ain't broke, Don't Fix it"
Congrats on the car's Exceptional mileage!

 

On 2nd thought, I'd Replace the Oil Cooler and the Oil Cooler Hose/Line with an OE unit, the Original has lasted this long, why take a chance with an Aftermarket unit?
FYI- If the Hose or Cooler fails and springs a leak, whatever You do, Don't drive it, turn the engine off immediately! Get it towed to a Reputable shop!
A tow bill is a lot Cheaper than a New Engine, Good Luck!

 

Get the OEM replacement for that unit. This car has lasted you that long. but if those are the original rubber hoses they are known to fail. Ours died at around 40K miles in the middle of the road. luckily no damage was done to the engine and we are at 145K now

 

Lexus offers the metal oil cooler lines with the gaskets as a kit, part # 04004-29131. List price is $74.55. The best price I can find online is $51.75, plus shipping

The Dorman made kit is part # 625-022 and is sold on Amazon for $43.58 and includes the shipping.

If you search ebay, you will find the kit for $38, shipping included. The brand is not stated, but at that price, you can bet it is not a Toyota made part.

The 2 gaskets are different from each other, so take note when you remove the old ones. You will need an E10 (I think) star socket to remove the oil cooler bolts.

 

Wow! Congrats on the milage!! I have an 09' with about 240k km. I too had the oil line rupture on me. Luckily, got it fixed before damage. A week later i also had the rear vvt oil line changed to all metal one too. Better safe than sorry.
my 02 cents, if the car is still running well and not rusting, might be worth the investment . Witb prices of new and used cars, not much you can get at the cost of those repairs.
Maybe inspect all the other rubber lines, and change for new ones?

 

Wow, that's a lot of miles! Can I ask what tires you like best? After that many miles, surely you've tried a few different sets ;-)

 

So tell us... besides general maintenance...what is the secret to Rx longevity???? Do you live in snow/salt belt areas? I'm really curious.
although the body on my rx is still in good shape, no rust....the undercarriage is starting to show its age, despite rust proofing .
i would imagine at this milage, all the rubber tubes/parts are getting brittle?
fab

 

I'd say it comes down to no short trips, another words the engine needs to be up to temp every time as well as keep it clean, like if you live where theres snow/cruddy weather, pressure wash your suspension, wheel wells, ect. wd40 or similar work great in the engine compartment. Clean the door/hatch rubber, ect. This goes w/ any vehicle......

 

Hi Felix, that's what i've been trying to do on my rx. Got it rustproofed that last 3 years, but undercarriage is still a bit rusty. The body is in good shape.

 

If those lines go your engine will be destroyed. I changed them all on my 07 RX. Come to find out the. Worst leak possible was on mine. The timing chain cover. Engine removal needed. Presently $2600 to $3800 repair. Livible condition with plywood on driveway. Tiny drips land on drive shaft and spray entire underside.

 

>>>Have you checked out the p/s pump? I thought the same thing, t/c cover, turned out to be a p/s pump. The oil covered the passenger side cradle & A-arm....

 

Have the oil cooler lines changed out. I did to my 07 RX. Unfortunately my timing chain cover is leaking. A very hard and little leak to find. Ruins driveways. $2800-3800 to remove engine and repair. I have 172000 on body and 100000 on engine. Still considering. Make sure of this problem.

 

Yep oil cooler lines are an issue with the 2GR-FE engine, which was used in many vehicles... Avalon, Camry, RX, Highlander, Sienna, and probably some more.

Keys to longevity are indeed longer trips, always, always using premium fuel, diligent oil changes, proactive maintenance, and driving easy and not like you're in an M3.

 

if working in the area -fix it now--double labor if you don't .