2001 RX300 45,000 mile service

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
This is getting interesting. I have the owners manual with service schedule.

It does state to replace timing belt every 90,000 miles or 72 months. I will tell her to go to Toyota for that.

Regarding differential fluid it has a disclaimer: "Only if vehicle is operated primarily while towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier". It was replaced 15,000 miles ago and she only uses vehicle as a grocery getter. I don't see a need to replace it or am I missing something?

That leaves retorquing those pesky drive shaft flange bolts. I have AlldataDIY and it is pretty useless for this. I may be able to do that but don't have enough info.

I did cabin filter 7,000 miles ago. I will check it.

Then I would do drain and refill with transmssion fluid and call it done.


If it was replaced only 15k miles ago, then it's probably fine. I changed mine last at 137k miles and probably won't do it till 200k miles which will be in a few months.

I have the factory service manual, I will look in there and see if I can find information regarding the drive shaft flange bolts.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
This is getting interesting. I have the owners manual with service schedule.

It does state to replace timing belt every 90,000 miles or 72 months. I will tell her to go to Toyota for that.

Regarding differential fluid it has a disclaimer: "Only if vehicle is operated primarily while towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier". It was replaced 15,000 miles ago and she only uses vehicle as a grocery getter. I don't see a need to replace it or am I missing something?

That leaves retorquing those pesky drive shaft flange bolts. I have AlldataDIY and it is pretty useless for this. I may be able to do that but don't have enough info.

I did cabin filter 7,000 miles ago. I will check it.

Then I would do drain and refill with transmssion fluid and call it done.


If it was replaced only 15k miles ago, then it's probably fine. I changed mine last at 137k miles and probably won't do it till 200k miles which will be in a few months.

I have the factory service manual, I will look in there and see if I can find information regarding the drive shaft flange bolts.


Thanks! I think she has only use the All-Wheel drive a handfull of times when it snowed. I do not see how those flange bolts could come loose? I guess checking will not hurt.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
This is getting interesting. I have the owners manual with service schedule.

It does state to replace timing belt every 90,000 miles or 72 months. I will tell her to go to Toyota for that.

Regarding differential fluid it has a disclaimer: "Only if vehicle is operated primarily while towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier". It was replaced 15,000 miles ago and she only uses vehicle as a grocery getter. I don't see a need to replace it or am I missing something?

That leaves retorquing those pesky drive shaft flange bolts. I have AlldataDIY and it is pretty useless for this. I may be able to do that but don't have enough info.

I did cabin filter 7,000 miles ago. I will check it.

Then I would do drain and refill with transmssion fluid and call it done.


If it was replaced only 15k miles ago, then it's probably fine. I changed mine last at 137k miles and probably won't do it till 200k miles which will be in a few months.

I have the factory service manual, I will look in there and see if I can find information regarding the drive shaft flange bolts.


Thanks! I think she has only use the All-Wheel drive a handfull of times when it snowed. I do not see how those flange bolts could come loose? I guess checking will not hurt.


You're welcome!

Well, keep in mind, the RX300 is full time AWD, so whether it's snowing or not the AWD is enabled. It runs in a 50/50 ratio till slip is detected and once the viscous coupling stiffens up (on 99'-00' models) the ratio changes, but from 01' and up VSC took care of it all.

I just looked through the service manual and didn't find anything related to re-torquing the flange bolts on the drive shaft.

I personally haven't ever re-torqued them, or even checked them as I don't feel a need to. Neither has my uncle who has over 380k miles on his 99' RX300 AWD.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I just checked transmission fluid and it looks grey? Probably was never changed. Does not seem like a drain and refill will address it since it will just mix in. Looks like Critics advice may be right.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
This is getting interesting. I have the owners manual with service schedule.

It does state to replace timing belt every 90,000 miles or 72 months. I will tell her to go to Toyota for that.

Regarding differential fluid it has a disclaimer: "Only if vehicle is operated primarily while towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier". It was replaced 15,000 miles ago and she only uses vehicle as a grocery getter. I don't see a need to replace it or am I missing something?

That leaves retorquing those pesky drive shaft flange bolts. I have AlldataDIY and it is pretty useless for this. I may be able to do that but don't have enough info.

I did cabin filter 7,000 miles ago. I will check it.

Then I would do drain and refill with transmssion fluid and call it done.


If it was replaced only 15k miles ago, then it's probably fine. I changed mine last at 137k miles and probably won't do it till 200k miles which will be in a few months.

I have the factory service manual, I will look in there and see if I can find information regarding the drive shaft flange bolts.


Thanks! I think she has only use the All-Wheel drive a handfull of times when it snowed. I do not see how those flange bolts could come loose? I guess checking will not hurt.


You're welcome!

Well, keep in mind, the RX300 is full time AWD, so whether it's snowing or not the AWD is enabled. It runs in a 50/50 ratio till slip is detected and once the viscous coupling stiffens up (on 99'-00' models) the ratio changes, but from 01' and up VSC took care of it all.

I just looked through the service manual and didn't find anything related to re-torquing the flange bolts on the drive shaft.

I personally haven't ever re-torqued them, or even checked them as I don't feel a need to. Neither has my uncle who has over 380k miles on his 99' RX300 AWD.


I appreciate the support. That is what I thought about the re-torque. Lexus was supposed to check it 15,000 miles ago (but they were supposed to do things like change the air filter and never did). So your saying re-torque after 380,000 miles to be safe.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I just checked transmission fluid and it looks grey? Probably was never changed. Does not seem like a drain and refill will address it since it will just mix in. Looks like Critics advice may be right.


A flush is not a good idea, that is just asking for trouble. My uncle (he's an independent mechanic), has had people come in after having a transmission flush from a dealership, quicklube, etc. with symptoms of transmission failure, and all of them eventually had to have the transmission replaced. A flush does more harm than good, and I think the majority of BITOG would agree.

It's safe to open the cooler line and add ATF while running the car if you want to go that route, you will be able to get more ATF out then a normal drain and fill. There is a DIY for that on Club Lexus.

BTW: That's not good news if the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in 45k miles.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN

I appreciate the support. That is what I thought about the re-torque. Lexus was supposed to check it 15,000 miles ago (but they were supposed to do things like change the air filter and never did). So your saying re-torque after 380,000 miles to be safe.

Sure, do it at 380k miles to be safe. But,at this rate it may take forever lol

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I just checked transmission fluid and it looks grey? Probably was never changed. Does not seem like a drain and refill will address it since it will just mix in. Looks like Critics advice may be right.


A flush is not a good idea, that is just asking for trouble. My uncle (he's an independent mechanic), has had people come in after having a transmission flush from a dealership, quicklube, etc. with symptoms of transmission failure, and all of them eventually had to have the transmission replaced. A flush does more harm than good, and I think the majority of BITOG would agree.

It's safe to open the cooler line and add ATF while running the car if you want to go that route, you will be able to get more ATF out then a normal drain and fill. There is a DIY for that on Club Lexus.

BTW: That's not good news if the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in 45k miles.


I read a flush is not good. At Lexus they decribed it as fluid exchange. It uses vehicles own pump to pump the fluid.

My concern is damage/failure. Since fluid is grey, not brown I am thinking the planetary gear is sheading some metal. The advantage of having Toyota replace the transmission fluid if the transmission fails she can blame the dealership. I will need to think about this one. I am not sure what they use?

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I just checked transmission fluid and it looks grey? Probably was never changed. Does not seem like a drain and refill will address it since it will just mix in. Looks like Critics advice may be right.


A flush is not a good idea, that is just asking for trouble. My uncle (he's an independent mechanic), has had people come in after having a transmission flush from a dealership, quicklube, etc. with symptoms of transmission failure, and all of them eventually had to have the transmission replaced. A flush does more harm than good, and I think the majority of BITOG would agree.

It's safe to open the cooler line and add ATF while running the car if you want to go that route, you will be able to get more ATF out then a normal drain and fill. There is a DIY for that on Club Lexus.

BTW: That's not good news if the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in 45k miles.


I read a flush is not good. At Lexus they decribed it as fluid exchange. It uses vehicles own pump to pump the fluid.

My concern is damage/failure. Since fluid is grey, not brown I am thinking the planetary gear is sheading some metal. The advantage of having Toyota replace the transmission fluid if the transmission fails she can blame the dealership. I will need to think about this one. I am not sure what they use?


The fluid exchange will be fine as like you mentioned the vehicle uses it's own pump.

As long as the owner keeps up with REGULAR drain and fills, the transmission will NOT fail. There is a lot of proof of that over on CL, there are a ton of people over 200k miles on original transmissions, a few people with over 300k miles, all of whom have one thing in common, and that is they all regularly change their transmission fluid (usually every year, i.e. 15k miles). It's cheap insurance doing a drain and fill every 15k miles.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I just checked transmission fluid and it looks grey? Probably was never changed. Does not seem like a drain and refill will address it since it will just mix in. Looks like Critics advice may be right.


A flush is not a good idea, that is just asking for trouble. My uncle (he's an independent mechanic), has had people come in after having a transmission flush from a dealership, quicklube, etc. with symptoms of transmission failure, and all of them eventually had to have the transmission replaced. A flush does more harm than good, and I think the majority of BITOG would agree.

It's safe to open the cooler line and add ATF while running the car if you want to go that route, you will be able to get more ATF out then a normal drain and fill. There is a DIY for that on Club Lexus.

BTW: That's not good news if the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in 45k miles.


I read a flush is not good. At Lexus they decribed it as fluid exchange. It uses vehicles own pump to pump the fluid.

My concern is damage/failure. Since fluid is grey, not brown I am thinking the planetarsheddings sheading some metal. The advantage of having Toyota replace the transmission fluid if the transmission fails she can blame the dealership. I will need to think about this one. I am not sure what they use?


The fluid exchange will be fine as like you mentioned the vehicle uses it's own pump.

As long as the owner keeps up with REGULAR drain and fills, the transmission will NOT fail. There is a lot of proof of that over on CL, there are a ton of people over 200k miles on original transmissions, a few people with over 300k miles, all of whom have one thing in common, and that is they all regularly change their transmission fluid (usually every year, i.e. 15k miles). It's cheap insurance doing a drain and fill every 15k miles.


I will change the transmission fluid in the future and just do it during the yearly oil change when it is needed in the future. Three years is about 15,000 miles.

I will ask the service adviser at the Toyota dealership if they use a fluid exchange machine similar to Lexus.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
I just checked transmission fluid and it looks grey? Probably was never changed. Does not seem like a drain and refill will address it since it will just mix in. Looks like Critics advice may be right.


A flush is not a good idea, that is just asking for trouble. My uncle (he's an independent mechanic), has had people come in after having a transmission flush from a dealership, quicklube, etc. with symptoms of transmission failure, and all of them eventually had to have the transmission replaced. A flush does more harm than good, and I think the majority of BITOG would agree.

It's safe to open the cooler line and add ATF while running the car if you want to go that route, you will be able to get more ATF out then a normal drain and fill. There is a DIY for that on Club Lexus.

BTW: That's not good news if the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in 45k miles.


The only "flush" that Monkeyman will be doing is a backyard fluid exchange as you have described, which is by way of opening the cooler lines. Logically, this cannot possibly harm the transmission - think about it. Similarly, using a BG PF5 or T-Tech style machine with a bladder that simply pushes new fluid into the transmission thru the assistance of the transmission's pump, should not harm the transmission either.

The anecdotal stories of transmissions frying after flushes (and blaming flushes for the problem) is not a logical conclusion. A more plausible explanation is that these failed transmissions you speak of, were problematic transmissions in questionable condition to begin with.

Regardless, it sounds like there is some wear on this transmission and the owner's local Lexus dealer is a big drain/refill fan, so the OP should probably do just that. Perhaps he should do a drain and refill at every oil change from now on until the fluid looks clean.

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN
Lexus dealership only does a drain and refill. I am go to play it safe route. I am just happy the owner wants to have the transmission fluid changed. I have been waiting for several years to get the OK on that one.

See, you're a smart guy.

Lately, when I service other peoples' cars, if it is a service that can be performed different ways, I will call the local dealership and ask how they perform the service. Then, I will only do the service that way so there will be no disagreement in the event that the owner decides to consult with the dealership.

 

[rjundi]

I know nothing of Toyota transmissions. However why flush it if Toyota procedure is drain/fill?

Honda recommends against flushing their transmissions. If you want to fully change the fluid on a Honda your do a 3x drain/fill. Basically drain/fill/drive thorough gears before next one repeated three times.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Here is my thread at Club Lexus. This will better explain the problems with this transmission and the cause of the grey looking fluid:

2001 RX300 Transmission thread

This transmission has a high failure rate. Not one of Toyota's finer moments. The general recommendation is to change fluid every 15,000 miles. Even then failure may occur due to the design flaws. Next service pan will be dropped and magnets cleaned.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Well the Lexus is home. The owner said it did not drive any differently.

The service advisor did call about flushing the Power Steering fluid. It was filthy, so I gave them the go ahead. He also told me the Tech said the throttle body had all kinds of carbon and they recommended their cleaning service. I said no. About 10,000 miles ago I went to clean the throttle body. It was so clean you could eat off it. There was nothing to clean. The other thing is as soon as the owner arrived home the radio antenna would not come down. It was bent toward the car. I am suspecting that it was bent when they ran the car through the car wash. Monday or so they will determine cause. The service advisor said he could tell if it happened in the car wash. I bet this was not the first time...

Thanks for all the input. It is helped a lot.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN


The service advisor did call about flushing the Power Steering fluid. It was filthy, so I gave them the go ahead.


The PS was "filthy"? Really? Sounds a bit questionable.

I think that Lexus uses synthetic fluid in the PS but not completely sure. It would be unusual for PS steering fluid to be filthy unless something was seriously wrong.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: MONKEYMAN


The service adviser did call about flushing the Power Steering fluid. It was filthy, so I gave them the go ahead.


The PS was "filthy"? Really? Sounds a bit questionable.

I think that Lexus uses synthetic fluid in the PS but not completely sure. It would be unusual for PS steering fluid to be filthy unless something was seriously wrong.


You are probably right. I checked color of fluid after and it was not much lighter. But the owners wallet is. I see on the invoice $48.35 for BG2063 kit and the rest is labor. I have a Saturn and the new fluid is much lighter when I replaced it. I probably mis-diagnosed this. The fluid I thought was filthy was probably close to the color it started at. The Toyota PS fluid may be darker to begin with or could it be the kit they used?

At least I did not go for the throttle body bate and switch. I did save the owner about $800.00. She was going to go to Lexus and the quotes they gave me were basically double that of Toyota.

I guess the profit they made on the power steering kit will be diminished when they repair her bent radio antenna. Karma baby, karma....

 

[antiqueshell]

I noticed that the dealer used a BG PS flush kit product, while it might not cause any issues it is ALWAYS best to stay away from products like this. If the fluid isn't what the car maker specifies better not to chance it.

Same goes for transmission, and engine.

You can always refresh the PS fluid DIY by simply using a large syringe withdraw the old fluid from the reservoir, and replace with new fresh fluid. Do this several times over the period of a year and you have renewed fluid.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
I noticed that the dealer used a BG PS flush kit product, while it might not cause any issues it is ALWAYS best to stay away from products like this. If the fluid isn't what the car maker specifies better not to chance it.

Same goes for transmission, and engine.

You can always refresh the PS fluid DIY by simply using a large syringe withdraw the old fluid from the reservoir, and replace with new fresh fluid. Do this several times over the period of a year and you have renewed fluid.


My problem is time. Otherwise I would have done it myself.

They did use the right transmission fluid...16 quarts of Type T.

 

[Gannet]

Just a couple of comments.

ClubLexus is a good resource.

Lexus is noted for dirty PS fluid. Gradual changes by syringe/baster/etc are fine. Replace with Dexron III, NOT "power steering" fluid. A synthetic is suggested.

Lexus dealers are often great, sometimes less so. In either case, they are selling a premium service and charge accordingly. For a lot of people it's worth it. They make your life easy and they generally do very good work. Some are prone to pushing service "upgrades", but you can always say no. It's nice to buy a used one from an owner who went for a lot of that.

Toyota dealers are a great way to save money. They have full access to the Lexus parts system and service info, and indeed it's not unusual for a Toyota dealer to have a couple of Lexus Certified mechanics on staff.

Consider having your friend join "My Lexus" at lexus.com. It's an owner's-only area that has, among other things, the service history for her vehicle. Same also allows you to enter service that is not performed at a Lexus dealer, say by you, for instance. It's a nice way to keep track, and it's free.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Good synopsis Gannet!

I took over service for the vehicle at 35,000 miles. Before that is was serviced at Lexus. I did join Lexus.com to get her service records. Service advisors at Lexus could not tell me what they did at for 30,000 mile service. Lexus.com gives very little detailed info. I have a Saturn that was dealer serviced before I bought it. The dealership info was very detailed in comparison.

The Toyota dealership did put on a new antenna. I have a feeling some person in charge detailing her Lexus had his pay docked.