2005 Lexus RX330 valve train 200k bought last year

[Kurtatron]

I bought this car last year for $3800. It replaced a disaster Nissan Rogue that couldn’t be registered in GA due to rebuilt title issues.

So I bought this 194k miles Lexus on a whim, since I had lost my mind trying to make the rogue road legal.

Carfax showed oil changes ranged from 5000-7000 mile oci’s. The varnish is by no means Bitog standards, but I know without a doubt this isn’t bad. I am relieved it is what it is. I’m replacing the timing belt, which explains the valve train opening. Decided to replace valve train gaskets along with the timing belt components.

 

[Leo99]

Good for another 200k miles. No guarantees after that.

 

[The Critic]

Highly recommend re-sealing the valley plate and injectors since you're already this deep. Valley plate is an extremely common leak. Also replace the rubber coolant hose and knock sense harness that are in the valley.

Also, can't tell from the pic, but be sure to pull out the half-moons and reseal them.

 

[walterjay]

Cam lobes look great.

 

[AZjeff]

Highly recommend re-sealing the valley plate and injectors since you're already this deep. Valley plate is an extremely common leak. Also replace the rubber coolant hose and knock sense harness that are in the valley.

Also, can't tell from the pic, but be sure to pull out the half-moons and reseal them.

And you thought it was easy in and out job.

 

[Kurtatron]

Highly recommend re-sealing the valley plate and injectors since you're already this deep. Valley plate is an extremely common leak. Also replace the rubber coolant hose and knock sense harness that are in the valley.

Also, can't tell from the pic, but be sure to pull out the half-moons and reseal them.

I have no idea what 2/3 of things you mentioned are, but I will look into them. Thanks.

 

[The Critic]

And you thought it was easy in and out job.

They’re pretty gravy, but access is frustrating and your back will hate you when done.

Given the age of these vehicles, I have begun to always reseal the injectors as well. If you wiggle the fuel rail in any way, the o-rings like to….

Thread 'Fuel injector o-rings'

Nov 14, 2024

I think this is how cars can mysteriously catch on fire and burn to the ground after engine repairs.

I was replacing the Valve Cover Gaskets on a 2006 ES330 with 46K miles. In order to improve access to the valve covers, the fuel injector harness gets disconnected. Due to the stubbornness of these connectors (after being in place for 19 years), you have to give the connector a good wiggle in order to disconnect it. As a result, the injectors also got wiggled.

During this process, I noticed some dampness at the top of the injector (near the rail) and smelled some fuel. For safety I...

• The Critic
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

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[The Critic]

I have no idea what 2/3 of things you mentioned are, but I will look into them. Thanks.

Thread 'Toyota/Lexus 3.3L V6 Water Inlet (Valley) Plate Coolant Leak'

Aug 19, 2018

Tip: if you own a Toyota 3.0 (1MZ-FE) or 3.3 (3MZ-FE) V6 and you see a buildup of pink crust around the thermostat, your water inlet plate is leaking. If it is leaking badly, coolant will drip down the transmission.

This issue seems to be common on older 3.0/3.3’s after 120k. For some reason I see it more often on the 3.3s.

This plate is sealed using RTV. In order to perform this re-seal, you must remove the upper and lower intake manifolds, both knock sensors and the knock sensor studs. When doing this job, I suggest replacing the bypass water hose, the knock sensor wiring harness...

• The Critic
• Replies: 30
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

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[Kurtatron]

Thread 'Toyota/Lexus 3.3L V6 Water Inlet (Valley) Plate Coolant Leak'

Aug 19, 2018

Tip: if you own a Toyota 3.0 (1MZ-FE) or 3.3 (3MZ-FE) V6 and you see a buildup of pink crust around the thermostat, your water inlet plate is leaking. If it is leaking badly, coolant will drip down the transmission.

This issue seems to be common on older 3.0/3.3’s after 120k. For some reason I see it more often on the 3.3s.

This plate is sealed using RTV. In order to perform this re-seal, you must remove the upper and lower intake manifolds, both knock sensors and the knock sensor studs. When doing this job, I suggest replacing the bypass water hose, the knock sensor wiring harness...

• The Critic
• Replies: 30
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

• 

You reseal this with RTV or a gasket? I wonder if the RTV failed before, isn’t there high risk resealing it with RTV will fail again?

 

[The Critic]

You reseal this with RTV or a gasket? I wonder if the RTV failed before, isn’t there high risk resealing it with RTV will fail again?

RTV— it’s a normal wear item. Reseal with RTV that can withstand organic acid coolant.

 

[Kurtatron]

RTV— it’s a normal wear item. Reseal with RTV that can withstand organic acid coolant.

I’ll take a look. If it’s leaking, I’ll try to fix it. If it’s not, I’ll pass. I like the injector o-ring idea though. It’s quite a a bit of time to remove the manifolds. May as well replace those rear injector rings.

 

[The Critic]

I’ll take a look. If it’s leaking, I’ll try to fix it. If it’s not, I’ll pass. I like the injector o-ring idea though. It’s quite a a bit of time to remove the manifolds. May as well replace those rear injector rings.

Are you not resealing the rear valve cover?

 

[Kurtatron]

Are you not resealing the rear valve cover?

I am, but if the water valley is not leaking, I don’t plan on trying to reseal it.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Looks good

 

[loneryder]

Some Valvoline R&P 5-30 would clean that up nicely.

 

[Kurtatron]

Are you not resealing the rear valve cover?

I’ve been chipping away at the timing belt job (amateur hour). I noticed peaking underneath the radiator hose pipe (in the pic), that the hose underneath the fuel rail has a worm-style hose clamp.

Since that’s not OEM style hose clamp, I’d wager the coolant leak fix was already done. Looks you were right these are common occurrences on these engines.

By the way, I despise doing this timing belt job on a MZ. Such pain. Been working on this thing probably at least 8 hours and I just got on the new belt.