What should I do with the rear main seal leak on my 1999 lexus es300?

Question

I hava a 1999 lexus es300 with 80000miles on it. I took it to the dealer and he said the car has a rear main seal leak. He said the cost of fixing that will be $1000. Is this leak a real big problem. Do I HAVE to get it fixed? Should I get it fixed from dealer or other mechanics who will charge way less than the dealers?

Answer 1

If you don't repair the leak, the most obvious sign will be a substantial oil stain in your driveway. And the leak will only get worse.
As for the cost, consider that the shop charges in the area of $100.00 to $145.00 per hour. That covers the mechanic, as well as the "mom-productive" staff (management, secretaries, janitorial, etc.).
The transmission will need to be removed, replace the seal and replace the transmission. If it takes 7 or 8 hours, there is most of the $1000.00, and add to this the cost of the seal, and shop supplies (cleaners, sealers etc.) and there you are.
Call around for estimates for the replacement cost from some other REPUTABLE shops.
As for the necessity of the repair, it is up to you. Just be sure to keep oil in the engine.
It is also conceivable that the leak could eventually get bad enough to cause an engine fire.

Answer 2

I would get it fixed, if it is dripping on the ground. I hate it when a friend visits and parks his car on my driveway with an oil leak. Mine is asphalt now so it's not so bad, but when I had a new concrete driveway it would drive me nuts, finally I told the guy to not park in my driveway until he gets if fixed.

It is a fairly big job, so I guess the price isn't so bad considering it's at a Lexus dealership. See if you can find a small shop locally, and call around and tell them what you want done and ask for a price.

even with a small shop they will want a fair price, so get the checkbook ready. Do get if fixed before it gets bad and wipes out the engine when you get low on oil. Keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge if you have one and keep a couple of quarts of oil in the trunk, just in case.

Answer 3

How bad is the "leak" ? A drop a day, minute, hour, second? Or is it just seeping? Can you quantify how much is leaking in a certain amount of time? If it is just seeping(gathering road dust and grime only) and not dripping don't worry about it. Have you been checking your oil level on a regular basis? If so, you will notice how much (if any) oil is lost over time. If you haven't been checking your oil level regularly (at least at every gas fill up).......
Why not? No mater what you decide on doing, at least keep an eye on your oil level and top it off if it gets low.

Answer 4

i own a repair shop,and that's way to much for that repair, i do them and all the rest of them for around 400 bucks and i make money at that,its only a 20 dollar part,but you do have to pull the transmission to put it in,find your self another shop to do this ,a dealer isn't the only one who can work on these cars ,there like any other car to work on,a good small repair shop should do this for around 4-500 bucks at the most,and the will and can do as good of a job as a dealer can,and you will have to repair this it will get a lot worse,probably to the point that it will loose oil really fast,and if you forget to add it ,you will ruin the engine in it,but find a good small shop,they,ll do it a lot cheaper,good luck,i hope this helps.

Answer 5

I got the same answer bad rear seal, I've been just driving it, no issues, I park on the street so.

Answer 6

Welcome to Lexus world, and get used to paying three times as much for everything. The dealer will be the most expensive service you can find.

Answer 7

You absolutely have to get it fixed. Call around for prices. It's not going to be cheap. $1000 is not bad.

Answer 8

Have a mechanic fix it. Its something you want fixed.

Answer 9

BOTH THE SHOP OWNER AND THE ASE TECH SAID IT ALL! LOL