New to me(inherited 2008 RX350
12-11-22, 09:10 PM
#1
New to me(inherited 2008 RX350
Well, after a looooooong time away, I am back in the lexus fold. I inherited a 2008 RX350 with 48k original miles. It sat for almost a year so, I just put a new battery in and she purred to life. Its in very good condition and has a few options like the Luxury Package and AWD. After some routine maintenance, I plan on upgrading to an Android head unit as this one also does not have Nav(which I am actually happy about). I been reading through the forums the last few days looking for any issues I need to pay attention to. Of course, I knew this was the place to come to for the best experience! 
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Margate330 (12-12-22)
12-11-22, 11:55 PM
#2
Nice. Run the VIN through Toyota’s website to check for recalls. https://www.toyota.com/recall
About the biggest issue is a leaking timing cover. Our 07 ES350 and nor our 18 RX350, both with the same 3.5 engine, have leaks there. It is more of an ooze, not a dripping leak. You can spot it from under the car - look at the engine block above and near the power steering pump. If you see oil there, it most likely is the timing cover leak. Care Nut dude recently did a youtube video on it. Since your drivetrain warranty has expired, all you can really do is clean the area when you do oil changes. The ES350 has leaked since about 50K and it now has 280K. I did start using 10/30 oil instead of 5/20 or 5/30. Our RX has 50K and should be covered under warranty.
About the biggest issue is a leaking timing cover. Our 07 ES350 and nor our 18 RX350, both with the same 3.5 engine, have leaks there. It is more of an ooze, not a dripping leak. You can spot it from under the car - look at the engine block above and near the power steering pump. If you see oil there, it most likely is the timing cover leak. Care Nut dude recently did a youtube video on it. Since your drivetrain warranty has expired, all you can really do is clean the area when you do oil changes. The ES350 has leaked since about 50K and it now has 280K. I did start using 10/30 oil instead of 5/20 or 5/30. Our RX has 50K and should be covered under warranty.
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GSXLEX (12-12-22)
12-12-22, 02:56 AM
#3
It likely has the tow prep package, which means a rubber oil cooler line, which will blow eventually and lose all your engine oil. Check if it is metal, if not, replace it. Lots of posts here about it.
Also check if VVTi oil line for bank 1 (firewall side) is rubber or metal. It was subject of a recall. Similar, lots of posts here.
Enjoy!
Also check if VVTi oil line for bank 1 (firewall side) is rubber or metal. It was subject of a recall. Similar, lots of posts here.
Enjoy!
12-12-22, 12:17 PM
#4
It likely has the tow prep package, which means a rubber oil cooler line, which will blow eventually and lose all your engine oil. Check if it is metal, if not, replace it. Lots of posts here about it.
Also check if VVTi oil line for bank 1 (firewall side) is rubber or metal. It was subject of a recall. Similar, lots of posts here.
Enjoy!
Also check if VVTi oil line for bank 1 (firewall side) is rubber or metal. It was subject of a recall. Similar, lots of posts here.
Enjoy!
Nice. Run the VIN through Toyota’s website to check for recalls. https://www.toyota.com/recall
About the biggest issue is a leaking timing cover. Our 07 ES350 and nor our 18 RX350, both with the same 3.5 engine, have leaks there. It is more of an ooze, not a dripping leak. You can spot it from under the car - look at the engine block above and near the power steering pump. If you see oil there, it most likely is the timing cover leak. Care Nut dude recently did a youtube video on it. Since your drivetrain warranty has expired, all you can really do is clean the area when you do oil changes. The ES350 has leaked since about 50K and it now has 280K. I did start using 10/30 oil instead of 5/20 or 5/30. Our RX has 50K and should be covered under warranty.
About the biggest issue is a leaking timing cover. Our 07 ES350 and nor our 18 RX350, both with the same 3.5 engine, have leaks there. It is more of an ooze, not a dripping leak. You can spot it from under the car - look at the engine block above and near the power steering pump. If you see oil there, it most likely is the timing cover leak. Care Nut dude recently did a youtube video on it. Since your drivetrain warranty has expired, all you can really do is clean the area when you do oil changes. The ES350 has leaked since about 50K and it now has 280K. I did start using 10/30 oil instead of 5/20 or 5/30. Our RX has 50K and should be covered under warranty.
12-12-22, 12:49 PM
#5
Part numbers for metal lines & associated gaskets - taken from my DIY thread:
- Important reliability upgrades for all 07-09 owners! -
MUST HAVE FOR ALL 07-09 350 MODELS! BE INFORMED: PREVENT ENGINE FAILURE!
Bank 1 (rear) VVT-i all-metal oil line: 15772-31030
Crush washer: 90430-16016 x2
MUST HAVE FOR ALL 07-09 350 TOWING PACKAGE MODELS! BE INFORMED: PREVENT ENGINE FAILURE!
Revised all-metal engine oil cooler lines: 15767-31020
Gasket: 15785-31010
Gasket: 11496-31010
- Important reliability upgrades for all 07-09 owners! -
MUST HAVE FOR ALL 07-09 350 MODELS! BE INFORMED: PREVENT ENGINE FAILURE!
Bank 1 (rear) VVT-i all-metal oil line: 15772-31030
Crush washer: 90430-16016 x2
MUST HAVE FOR ALL 07-09 350 TOWING PACKAGE MODELS! BE INFORMED: PREVENT ENGINE FAILURE!
Revised all-metal engine oil cooler lines: 15767-31020
Gasket: 15785-31010
Gasket: 11496-31010
12-12-22, 05:12 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Recommend getting a new double Din size and add a backup camera, won't regret.
PS- be glad you don't have factory nav, much more work to remove it and start over with new aftermarket head unit and convert to non-nav info diplay like you alredy have anyway.
12-14-22, 11:49 AM
#7
Nice. Run the VIN through Toyota’s website to check for recalls. https://www.toyota.com/recall
About the biggest issue is a leaking timing cover. Our 07 ES350 and nor our 18 RX350, both with the same 3.5 engine, have leaks there. It is more of an ooze, not a dripping leak. You can spot it from under the car - look at the engine block above and near the power steering pump. If you see oil there, it most likely is the timing cover leak. Care Nut dude recently did a youtube video on it. Since your drivetrain warranty has expired, all you can really do is clean the area when you do oil changes. The ES350 has leaked since about 50K and it now has 280K. I did start using 10/30 oil instead of 5/20 or 5/30. Our RX has 50K and should be covered under warranty.
About the biggest issue is a leaking timing cover. Our 07 ES350 and nor our 18 RX350, both with the same 3.5 engine, have leaks there. It is more of an ooze, not a dripping leak. You can spot it from under the car - look at the engine block above and near the power steering pump. If you see oil there, it most likely is the timing cover leak. Care Nut dude recently did a youtube video on it. Since your drivetrain warranty has expired, all you can really do is clean the area when you do oil changes. The ES350 has leaked since about 50K and it now has 280K. I did start using 10/30 oil instead of 5/20 or 5/30. Our RX has 50K and should be covered under warranty.
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12-14-22, 01:50 PM
#8
>>>> Does that mean the rubber parts were replaced?
No, they replaced rubber with new rubber under a recall if done. You can gamble that the new rubber is better, but it was probably just good enough to get car through warranty....
No, they replaced rubber with new rubber under a recall if done. You can gamble that the new rubber is better, but it was probably just good enough to get car through warranty....
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GSXLEX (12-15-22)
12-19-22, 05:14 PM
#9
Pole Position
Best to just replace the oil cooler lines w/ metal ones, (I used the Dorman kit) as well as the bank one vvt metal line/ crush washers from Lexus/Toyota dealer. The oem bank one for some reason is spiced w/ a rubber hose. Since your there, I'd change the trans fluid & filter as well as clean the two trans pan magnets( I used a gallon of Maxlife & a Wix trans filter), also change the rear diff & tranfer case oil, (I used 75/90 Royal Purple) Later on when you need to do a brake job, I recommed using the gen 3 pads, rotors & a pr of reman calipers. You'll find there is more pad surface area #1005 vs #1324 shows you as well as 2 piston calipers vs the oem single piston. 12.6'' vs 12.9'' rotors. The cost of pads/rotors are pretty much a wash, the additional cost is a pr of reman gen 3 calipers. Since you opened up the brake system, good time to flush out the old fluid w/ new dot 3. ( I swapped out the oem brake hoses w/ SS lines from Tirerack) Direct bolt on & does make a difference in pedal feel as well as braking performance. ( I ended up using the Hawk Talon rotors/pads form Tirerack)
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GSXLEX (12-19-22)
12-19-22, 11:59 PM
#10
Best to just replace the oil cooler lines w/ metal ones, (I used the Dorman kit) as well as the bank one vvt metal line/ crush washers from Lexus/Toyota dealer. The oem bank one for some reason is spiced w/ a rubber hose. Since your there, I'd change the trans fluid & filter as well as clean the two trans pan magnets( I used a gallon of Maxlife & a Wix trans filter), also change the rear diff & tranfer case oil, (I used 75/90 Royal Purple) Later on when you need to do a brake job, I recommed using the gen 3 pads, rotors & a pr of reman calipers. You'll find there is more pad surface area #1005 vs #1324 shows you as well as 2 piston calipers vs the oem single piston. 12.6'' vs 12.9'' rotors. The cost of pads/rotors are pretty much a wash, the additional cost is a pr of reman gen 3 calipers. Since you opened up the brake system, good time to flush out the old fluid w/ new dot 3. ( I swapped out the oem brake hoses w/ SS lines from Tirerack) Direct bolt on & does make a difference in pedal feel as well as braking performance. ( I ended up using the Hawk Talon rotors/pads form Tirerack)
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