I have a 99 Lexus RX300 which recently completely broke down on me the other day. The oil pressure light was flickering on and off (mainly coming on when I broke and turning off when I accelerated), I read the manual and they said it was no concern. However, it did say to pull over if the light remained on in which it did for about 5 minutes. Since I was only a couple minutes from my destination, I decided to go for it. After towing it to my mechanic, he told me that the engine was completely busted and would basically have to be replaced or rebuilt. He is a very close family friend so we trust him. I was already in the market for a new car but was expecting somewhere around $10K from the RX. Is there any use for a used Lexus with a dead engine? Anyone know of any places that buy broken cars?
Hmmm, anytime your oil light flashes or flickers it's usually big trouble -- strange that the manual would say that.
I dunno why a rebuild would be so expensive. Replacing just the main bearings and cam bearings if it was just a oil pressure failure. Get a quote. It didn;t overheat right? I would not do a total rebuild. I would fix what is broken. How many miles on it?
This is the first thing I thought... "We'll make the thing flash like crazy, but eh, it's no big deal". BTW, I'd get a second opinion on the rebuilt engine quote. Anything that costs that much deserves a 2nd opinion, even if it was a family friend that gave the first opinion. Unless you're just lookin' for an excuse for a new car...
If you want to save the vehicle, go to car-parts.com and find a used engine. Most places will give you 90 days on the parts. Pay cash and have your friend just charge you the labor (which should run no more than 15-18 hours at the most x his labor rate). A rebuild is going to cost you alot more. In fact, its rare nowadays for mechanics to rebuild engines. Plus, you won't get the value out of rebuild if you ever sell the vehicle.
The problem is one and the same. If there was no oil pressure, then the engine parts will seize due to heat/friction/lack of lubrication. When it comes to engine failures, you don't do partial repairs. You either overhaul it or replace it.
Actually you are incorrect. If it overheats things like heads warping and blocks cracking happens. If you have no oil things like bearings spinning happen.
Thanks for the info. It's not going to be worth replacing the engine and since I planned on selling the vehicle anyways, I guess it wouldn't be worth rebuilding it either. I guess I'm asking if people/dealers ever buy the body of a car only. This really sucks as I was literally a week or two away from putting it on the market.
Another thing I forgot to mention is that I had just gotten my oil replaced that very morning!! Not sure if that has anything to do with oil pressure but there was definitely oil in the car when all of this happened.
You sure about that? What did your guy said broke exactly? Guess what happens all the time? "Hey jim you put oil in the Lexus right?" "Hey Jim did you check the Oil Filter on the Lexus for leaks?"
Why would you replace rings, pistons, if they are fine? I'm sure it does not need a valve job, head resurface, or much else besides bearings . Unless it overheated and cracked the block or warped a head. (Its an Al engine so its very very possible)
There was a NBA CBA thread in the NBA Forum several weeks ago with aelliott getting lectured and now an automotive thread with codell getting a lecture. An attempted annihilation makes my day.
