GX460 & GXOR B.S. thread (13 Viewers)

[Texas Sun Power]

Can you provide some detail around how this happened?

Not a lot to know. I asked in the GXOR forum how I could have done it. I'm trying not to think about it, it's happened. I can tell you that the engine didn't show any signs of overheating except for the AC stopped working at idle last week. No temp gauge change. I tried to start it and it wouldn't. No big deal, maybe my son left his door open (wishful thinking). I hooked up the jump box and it started. Hurray...seconds later after a bit of a rough idle smoothed out, I smelled the coolant. And walked around and saw the white smoke. I had my radiator replaced in 21, maybe 22. I did run it hot then on accident, but not to the point of holy s***. But those memories are coming back to me.

 

[Texas Sun Power]

Looks pretty clean to me. It is a Texas car so that is great, but I see no other regular maintenance done other than oil changes on the carfax.

I found an even cleaner one that has a few more miles, but you know when you look at Lexus records and most of the time it states "customer declined recommended service" The opposite is true here. Even at 220k they are doing the maintenance intervals at Lexus. And looks like someone's grandpa's truck. Gray with Brown interior. Chef's kiss.

 

[evolute]

I found an even cleaner one that has a few more miles, but you know when you look at Lexus records and most of the time it states "customer declined recommended service" The opposite is true here. Even at 220k they are doing the maintenance intervals at Lexus. And looks like someone's grandpa's truck. Gray with Brown interior. Chef's kiss.

I take maintenance over mileage any day of the week. This might be the one then. Also, I might be biased for the gray with brown interior.

 

[Hiluxforever]

50k coolant interval after 100k is key

 

[Rednexus]

Agreed. Coolant can become corrosive. If Lexus is using coated head gaskets instead of multi-layer steel, the coolant can eat off the coating. This is coming from a former Subie guy who has done a couple EJ25 head gasket jobs .

 

[Arailt]

Do you have a front license plate law in our state? We do in CA, but they only enforce if they're looking for a reason to pull you over.
But to your post, sorry, I can't answer to that as I have MetalTech front bumper.
Doing an Amazon search or Google didn't bring up anything?
A quick search on Amazon came up with this: https://www.amazon.com/Garage-Pro-License-Bracket-Compatible-2010-2013/dp/B0D4HGJRQQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S04XUKW94ITH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CShkoAKx6Fagp-kUSGIHsYR5ZZ4kra8wDiQMMF1UsRSvikGu-mNSHUwYvKbBdFRK90MuR8qZ8qtrND8ZhypQ8XUfRL_31SpiAMxHhr3A7wkGjhc3Rz-Mx8JJEHImy5IrpIx-0euxYykZpXvrZZIgRbOzmqz78CvbwWf7-18g6tLMZ78KC6PZ7_PY-8e_KI_zCM7pKWSVSznf_47UVlVEY2MQ-subgVfL3Fzt9NDK5-4HEZtdlCLJOYH65745ltJSC1XiyzbnXm_EVOoR4wTIaY2L9YnCfBfVMi9GO25LBc8.s4L-OETIptdhxSECBmDQuVmUN9KV8KM1-ZwPiINz_rw&dib_tag=se&keywords=2013+gx460+license+plate+bracket&qid=1744735107&sprefix=2013+gx460+license+plate+bracke,aps,166&sr=8-1

Same with Texas. Most people don't run front plates on new vehicles. I do because I don't want any more reasons to pull me over haha.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Anyone running 5W30 in their 460?? I run it in my 200 with no issues (which also says it should use OW20) and used it in both of our 470s….but before changing from OW20 in the 460, I wanted to check first. Moderate climate in NC.

 

[Texas Sun Power]

50k coolant interval after 100k is key

I replaced my radiator at 150k. The only thing I can think of is I ran it hot way back then and it warped it just enough to have an effect 60k later. iDK.

 

[Roody]

Anybody done a DIY window tint?

 

[r2m]

Same with Texas. Most people don't run front plates on new vehicles. I do because I don't want any more reasons to pull me over haha.

Ditto...

 

[BigSwede]

Anyone running 5W30 in their 460?? I run it in my 200 with no issues (which also says it should use OW20) and used it in both of our 470s….but before changing from OW20 in the 460, I wanted to check first. Moderate climate in NC.

I do. Presumably there is a very slight decrease in mpg, but I can't really tell among all the other variables.

 

[Wildcat Walker]

I would just replace the headgaskets. You can do it in a couple of weekends.

 

[Rednexus]

I would just replace the headgaskets. You can do it in a couple of weekends.

Wouldn't that require removal of the front timing cover and exhaust manifolds? I've obviously never done head gaskets on a UR but I can say it's not a job I'd want to do with the motor in the vehicle. I can't imagine it being any less than 40 hours of advanced DIY work. Also if the heads were coming off they should really be sent to a machine shop to get checked out and cleaned up.

 

[Texas Sun Power]

Wouldn't that require removal of the front timing cover and exhaust manifolds? I've obviously never done head gaskets on a UR but I can say it's not a job I'd want to do with the motor in the vehicle. I can't imagine it being any less than 40 hours of advanced DIY work. Also if the heads were coming off they should really be sent to a machine shop to get checked out and cleaned up.

Yes to all. I had the local Land Cruiser specialist in Austin pass on the purchase at a really cheap price. If Edwin doesn’t trust that he can fix it at a reasonable price. There is zero reasons why I think I should. This might be controversial, but currently I have an undrivable hunk of very pretty metal in my driveway. What’s the consensus and downside of trying one of those gaskets ceiling kits?? it doesn’t work and I’m stuck with the exact same situation. I have now.

 

[Rednexus]

Yes to all. I had the local Land Cruiser specialist in Austin pass on the purchase at a really cheap price. If Edwin doesn’t trust that he can fix it at a reasonable price. There is zero reasons why I think I should. This might be controversial, but currently I have an undrivable hunk of very pretty metal in my driveway. What’s the consensus and downside of trying one of those gaskets ceiling kits?? it doesn’t work and I’m stuck with the exact same situation. I have now.

I would not try a gasket sealing kit for a head gasket. It might work for a little bit but will eventually blow out. There is a ton of heat and pressure (both directions) acting on the head gasket.

Any chance of finding a used 1UR to drop in the rig instead? That would of course require pulling the motor but not opening it up. I would still estimate at least 20 hours of labor to R&R the motor - probably $2,500 or so depending on local labor rates - plus the cost of the motor and anything else you decided to fix while it was out of the rig.

 

[Texas Sun Power]

I would not try a gasket sealing kit for a head gasket. It might work for a little bit but will eventually blow out. There is a ton of heat and pressure (both directions) acting on the head gasket.

Any chance of finding a used 1UR to drop in the rig instead? That would of course require pulling the motor but not opening it up. I would still estimate at least 20 hours of labor to R&R the motor - probably $2,500 or so depending on local labor rates - plus the cost of the motor and anything else you decided to fix while it was out of the rig.

I did in fact. Is just under 7k. Which is why I don’t care if if it bombs the engine if I used the gasket sealing kit.

 

[r2m]

Wouldn't that require removal of the front timing cover and exhaust manifolds? I've obviously never done head gaskets on a UR but I can say it's not a job I'd want to do with the motor in the vehicle. I can't imagine it being any less than 40 hours of advanced DIY work. Also if the heads were coming off they should really be sent to a machine shop to get checked out and cleaned up.

Back in the mid 1980's I had a 1975 2002 BMW that I did a head removal on in our apartment carport. Doing a head removal is NOT for the faint of heart.
Unless you have ALL the tools, physical space to layout ALL the removed parts and lots of Youtube videos needed. It also helps if you have quite a bit of experience wrenching on vehicles too (which I have/had). Don't let this be your very first delve into wrenching. The worst thing about doing that Bimmer's head removal is I had to put away and lock all my tools, hide all the removed parts and cover it all at the end of every day that I was working on it because of it being in a carport. Then the next day, uncover and pull everything out again and continue where I left off.

 

[Cold Iron]

I've done heads before in the late 70's and 80's. Didn't everyone back then? Was usually done using a cherry picker someone always had one but it was a lot easier at the base auto hobby shop with the proper tools and equipment. Now days with all the crap and connections on engines no way would I would do it. But that is just me.

Anyone running 5W30 in their 460?? I run it in my 200 with no issues (which also says it should use OW20) and used it in both of our 470s….but before changing from OW20 in the 460, I wanted to check first. Moderate climate in NC.

I moved to Mn. from Asheville, NC and prior to that lived in Currituck while based in the Tidewater area. My youngest sister and mother are in Wake Forrest. Moderate climate for NC is a good description if not a great one.

I get my engine oil from Costco by the 20 gallon case at ~$50 for either 0-20 or 5-30 so I run 0-20.

But there is nothing wrong with 5-30 and if in NC wouldn't hesitate to use it. From the Dubai 2023 Lexus GX 460 owners manual. I've spent some time in Dubai and I wouldn't call the weather moderate there.

 

[Rednexus]

Back in the mid 1980's I had a 1975 2002 BMW that I did a head removal on in our apartment carport. Doing a head removal is NOT for the faint of heart.
Unless you have ALL the tools, physical space to layout ALL the removed parts and lots of Youtube videos needed. It also helps if you have quite a bit of experience wrenching on vehicles too. Don't let the be your very first delve into wrenching. The worst thing about doing that Bimmer's head removal is I had to put away and lock all my tools, hide all the removed parts and cover it all at the end of every day that I was working on it because of it being in a carport. Then the next day, uncover and pull everything out again and continue where I left off.

I could do the heads on my Subaru EJ25 in around ~16 hours of work total, including yanking the motor out and getting it on a stand. Getting the motor out and disassembled is maybe 5-6 hours of work as they are so easy to wrench on. That was before I had things like impact wrenches and cordless ratchets too - today, I could probably do it in ~12 hours.

Over 20 years ago, I did the heads on a 350 Chevy under a gravel carport. That rig had a ton of room to work under the hood and I didn't have an engine hoist so I left the motor in the rig. Also....a small block Chevy is an exceptionally primitive engine with very few accessories hanging off of it.

I'd consider a engine removal on a GX would would need access to an engine crane (which I have) and a 2-post lift (which I don't have but of course want). The motor is packed into a GX to start with. It would be a heck of a job and I'd probably want to take off 2-3 days of work, plus a weekend, to have any chance of getting it done.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I've done heads before in the late 70's and 80's. Didn't everyone back then? Was usually done using a cherry picker someone always had one but it was a lot easier at the base auto hobby shop with the proper tools and equipment. Now days with all the crap and connections on engines no way would I would do it. But that is just me.



I moved to Mn. from Asheville, NC and prior to that lived in Currituck while based in the Tidewater area. My youngest sister and mother are in Wake Forrest. Moderate climate for NC is a good description if not a great one.

I get my engine oil from Costco by the 20 gallon case at ~$50 for either 0-20 or 5-30 so I run 0-20.

But there is nothing wrong with 5-30 and if in NC wouldn't hesitate to use it. From the Dubai 2023 Lexus GX 460 owners manual. I've spent some time in Dubai and I wouldn't call the weather moderate there.

Nice! We live in Weaverville…small world. I’ll likely start running 5w30 at the next oil change just to see how it does.