Greetings, I’m new here (1 Viewer)

[Hawk60]

Hello everyone,

I’m new here, I joined to get some advice on a GX470 I’m looking at.

It’s an 04 with 140k miles, they want $10,000. Lexus Drivers site service history shows timing belt, front seals water pump etc replaced at 118k miles. Rear Airbags and pump were recently replaced. I’m going to go drive it later and check the diff lock actuator and make sure all the other stuff works.

I’m also going to investigate an oil leak from the drivers side cam cover area, more specifically around and above the air conditioner compressor, running down to the oil filter adapter. I haven’t been able to remove the engine cover to inspect closer.

I found a thread on here describing an almost identical leak and it turned out to be the cam seal.
So, the big question is: I know this is not an easy task, but quite a bit easier than the VVTi engines, so if I can use this leak as a negotiation point to get the vehicle for a good price would I reasonably be able to tackle this? I’m a Helicopter mechanic by trade for 22 years so I’m able to wrench, I just don’t know if I want to do this much.

Thanks!
Dan

 

[Rednexus]

My usual recommendation for seal leaks and seeps is to dump in a bottle of ATP AT-205 seal conditioner. It worked great for my rear main seal leak. My understanding is that replacing a cam seal requires removing the timing belt and the cam(s) themselves, which is a large job DOCH V8 like a 2UZ. IMO, unless it is a bad leak, I would not worry about it, but it is definitely something you could use to get the price down.

 

[Hawk60]

Thanks for that suggestion, fortunately after getting a better look at the situation I’m highly confident this is only a valve cover gasket issue. I’ve driven this vehicle twice now, will probably make them an offer today.

Dan

 

[Rednexus]

A lower-mileage GX like that for $10K is a great deal. Unless it has major issue I'd buy it for sure. GX's are getting hard to come by these days; so many were snatched up during the pandemic.

 

[Hawk60]

A lower-mileage GX like that for $10K is a great deal. Unless it has major issue I'd buy it for sure. GX's are getting hard to come by these days; so many were snatched up during the pandemic.

It does have some other issues going on, at least one front hub bearing is bad and there are a couple of other things that need sorting out. It’s an average condition vehicle, not even that clean. I’m hoping to leverage some of this into a lower price, I can do all the repair work myself, the owner seems like a good guy but has trusted that a mechanic inspected it and everything is top shape yet it’s got oil all over drivers side of engine and wheel bearing is howling on same side.

He already spent $1300 on getting air ride fixed, I’m hoping he will not want to worry with these additional repairs and let the car go to me.

But who knows?