Major problem with my 08 LC

[djay]

Hey guys, I always get so much info on this site so I figured I let you guys know of an issue i've been having. I bought my LC in May of 09 but it's a 2008 model. It sat on my dealer's lot for over a year before I got a very good deal on it. It had about 30 miles on it new and I put 36,000 miles in year and half. I always wanted a LC and love everything about it. I've leased BMW and Infiniti SUVs in the past but by far this is my favorite. I bought this one for keeps so I took care of it every time I went in for a service. The issue started with last visit which included 30,000 mile service. First, I get a call with not so bad news about battery and belt, neither are covered in warranty but the'll give me the battery for NC. After that they called me about broken rear pinion seal and it's on national part list? which means it will take a while. I go into the dealer and my service guy shows me under the car which is covered with oil. I'm thinking it could've been worse and it's covered in warranty at least so I go home with a loaner(Hylander). I get a call in few days and I get the car back. On my way home I feel light vibration and humming from under the car. Next day I brought it back to my dealer and foreman takes a ride with me and confirms what I hear. I go home with another loaner(Minivan) I get a call that day from the foreman and he tells me they need to rebuild the whole rear differential He's been with Toyota for 26 years and never seen a new LC come in for such a major problem. I've been stuck in minivan for a week and just got a call saying they need few more weeks to get all the parts in. I guess it's just my luck. Thanks for reading my long rant and happy holidays to you all.

 

[planetalaska]

Wow! I'm shocked. Sorry to hear so many issues in the same post.

So, before you take it to the dealer, there didn't seem to be any problems, then the dealer looks at it, and all h.e.l.l breaks loose.

Could it be that the mechanic who replaced the rear pinion seal screwed up?

Which belt did they change, and why was it not covered by the 3 year/36K mile warranty?

Did you see any oil leaking on your garage floor?

 

[djay]

Wow! I'm shocked. Sorry to hear so many issues in the same post.

So, before you take it to the dealer, there didn't seem to be any problems, then the dealer looks at it, and all h.e.l.l breaks loose.

Could it be that the mechanic who replaced the rear pinion seal screwed up?

I don't recall anything wrong with it before the visit. The foreman did say pinion seal was probably broken due other problems in the differential.

Which belt did they change, and why was it not covered by the 3 year/36K mile warranty?

I think it was a long belt? I can't remember what the name was but it had cracks in it. It wasn't covered because it's considered a wear and tear item. I did bring up the fact that I only had the car for year and half and it's not normal for it to crack so fast and that's how I got my battery for N/C. They charged me about $170 for the belt replacement.

Did you see any oil leaking on your garage floor?

I didn't see any oil stains in my garage and asked him the same question. He said it's likely that most of the oil had been leaked out while driving. Under carriage was covered in oil spray from it.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Sorry this is such a pain in the neck! I'd not get too worked up though. A diff is not a "major" problem. They're easily fixed. Life goes on. Your LC will rock on for years and years.

 

[spressomon]

Wow! I'm shocked. Sorry to hear so many issues in the same post.

So, before you take it to the dealer, there didn't seem to be any problems, then the dealer looks at it, and all h.e.l.l breaks loose.

Could it be that the mechanic who replaced the rear pinion seal screwed up?

I don't recall anything wrong with it before the visit. The foreman did say pinion seal was probably broken due other problems in the differential.

Which belt did they change, and why was it not covered by the 3 year/36K mile warranty?

I think it was a long belt? I can't remember what the name was but it had cracks in it. It wasn't covered because it's considered a wear and tear item. I did bring up the fact that I only had the car for year and half and it's not normal for it to crack so fast and that's how I got my battery for N/C. They charged me about $170 for the belt replacement.

Did you see any oil leaking on your garage floor?

I didn't see any oil stains in my garage and asked him the same question. He said it's likely that most of the oil had been leaked out while driving. Under carriage was covered in oil spray from it.

By "Under carriage" I assume you mean around the rear diff right? If the rear pinion seal leaked it would typically leak oil from the front portion of the diff and back.

Pinion seals, like t-case seals, are somewhat prone to fail after a good burying in mud; its the abrasive grit in mud that is tough on seals. Did you, by chance get it stuck or traverse through deep mud at some point in the recent past? Maybe just a fluke/bad part too...

I assume they had to replace the serpentine or "s" belt? Hot climates, like Phoenix, etc. type climes are tough on belts. But it looks like you are in CT...strange a belt would be bad in relatively short time span especially considering where you live.

Sorry to hear about it. But as ^^^posted its not the end of the world and once fixed it should be smooth sailing for you.

 

[djay]

By "Under carriage" I assume you mean around the rear diff right? If the rear pinion seal leaked it would typically leak oil from the front portion of the diff and back. Yes you are correct.

Pinion seals, like t-case seals, are somewhat prone to fail after a good burying in mud; its the abrasive grit in mud that is tough on seals. Did you, by chance get it stuck or traverse through deep mud at some point in the recent past? Maybe just a fluke/bad part too... I wish I had such a trip that evolves mud but no.

I assume they had to replace the serpentine or "s" belt? Hot climates, like Phoenix, etc. type climes are tough on belts. But it looks like you are in CT...strange a belt would be bad in relatively short time span especially considering where you live.

That's the belt and you are right it doesn't get that hot around here. I was wondering if it had anything to do with the car not being driven for a year.

Sorry to hear about it. But as ^^^posted its not the end of the world and once fixed it should be smooth sailing for you.

Thanks guys for all your inputs. I don't know much about cars and changing flat is as much as I can do on one so rebuilding part of transmission seemed like a major deal to me.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Car sat for a year. Never good on a cruiser, they dont like to sit. I think you have dealer problems. 2 cents MIke

 

[spressomon]

djay, not your transmission but your rear end. There's probably a story...only the original mechanic and his helper probably know. Something just doesn't smell right about all this given such a new low mileage Land Cruiser. Hopefully you're on the road to 'rightsville' now

 

[pagemaster]

Car sat for a year. Never good on a cruiser, they dont like to sit.

My truck sat for 7 months before I got it. It now has 270k and is 8 years old and has only lost two days off the road due to repair.

 

[96bruzer]

You probably lost a good amount of gear oil when it was leaking, hence the problem.

If a shop or dealer fixes a problem 4 times it becomes eligible for the lemon law and you can arbitrate, get your money and buy anoither cruiser.

Got all my money back on my Seqoia ac problems...