KenFalls

My first post. I have a 2004 RX330 that just clicked over 240,000 miles. Car was always maintained according to schedule before my acquiring it at 222,000. Timing belt was replaced at 110,000 so I did it again as soon as I bought it (yes, water pump too). Apart from that I have just done oil changes. Last 30,000 mile maintenance was done at 210,000 so it's due. Since maintenance schedule doesn't go this high I'm wondering if I should do the 120,000 mile (which is a major one) at this time. I don't have a Lexus dealer nearby and have a shop or two I semi-trust but they just want to do what seems to be necessary and that doesn't seem right to me. I plan on going over 300,000 with the car and want to be smart about its needs at this point. Any help will be much appreciated.

Lexuswiz

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a list of what has been done and when? I don't keep up with Lexus maintenance intervals lol I just replace as needed.

KenFalls

To tell you precisely would be very time consuming, The oil has been changed every 5000 miles and all Manufacturers guidelines have been met up to 220,000 miles. As I understand it @30,000 intervals is where more stuff is called for and it has always been done. Of course one of the biggies is the timing belt which should be replaced at 90,000 miles. It was done the first time at 110,000 and I had it replaced again at 222,000 when I purchased it, Rack and pinion has been leaking for a while now and I plan on having it done now. I just had brakes checked and they're fine. Car is basically in excellent shape and I plan on it being my last car so towards that end I'm wondering about draining cooling and brake systems and that sort of thing. Since the 120,000 mile checkpoint calls for that kind of extensive maintenance and it's been another 120,000 miles since then I'm wondering if that would be the smart thing to do again at this time. To NOT do it seems to be just inviting things to wear out and go wrong and I want to prevent that if I can.

BlackLexRX

Welcome to the forum Ken. Impressive mileage on that RX. I think you're on the right track with coolant and brakes, but I would change all the fluids; rear diff and transfer case if AWD, power steering, trans. Cabin and engine air filters then spark plugs. If you haven't already, register the car on the Lexus owners site: drivers.lexus.com with your VIN. This will unlock any and all maintenance and service entries performed by Lexus techs at dealerships. You may be surprised what you find on there. In my case mine was in great shape when I bought it at 68k miles. When I registered it on the Lexus site it was clear the prior owner never drove by a Lexus dealership without pulling in and having something done. New rack, plugs, coils, all scheduled maint, trans flush at dealer around 40k, headlight condensation replacements, on and on. So I was very happy to see just how well mine was maintained.
Hope that helps.

Margate330

+1 all posts above

The cooling system being rock solid tight would concern me greatly and flushing/replacing all fluids for sure, etc.

And maybe spend the money on a scanner to monitor codes and live data to keep an eye on how she's running.

matts6887

I too would would do the regular oil changes. And yes i agree on the above about making sure the cooling system is in tip top shape especially here in arizona. also I would check stuff like pssibly cleaning the throttle body and mass airflow sensor this is just a partial list.

Margate330

Who's rack isn't leaking...lol
Mine has been leaking slow for a couple years now.

Discovered my rack leak when I replaced my passenger side inner tie rod boot a few months ago because it got fluid soaked and tore but leak is very slow and it was original at 14yrs old- so hopefully it will take at least a couple years to trash the boot again depending how bad it's leaking.
Did repair myself and took wheel measurements so never did alignment and only cost was the $$$ for the new boot cover.

KenFalls

Previous owner told me the car was leaking power steering fluid (a little) when I purchased it @ 222,000 miles but he didn't know what it was.. I had it checked and 2 shops said it was rack and pinion with one urging me to have it done immediately and the other suggesting I live with it till it began to manifest other symptoms.It's now been 3 years and 18,000 miles. I'm noticing a stuttering when braking at higher speeds and think it's time to have it done. Not going to repair itself.

KenFalls

This has been my most useful response. Actually, it matches up almost exactly with the prescribed 120,000 mile maintenance and is what I've decided to do with just a little tweaking.Thank you very much!

cdnewton

That would likely be brake rotors vice the rack.

Adbyington

where abouts are u located? The maintenance is fairly simple compared to what most people tend to believe

KenFalls

Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I'm going with a 120.000 mile service.