GS350 PPI Results are In

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
02/20/2019 at 11:35 • Filed to: GS350, Timing Cover Leak

Received the results of the PPI I requested at the local Lexus store where I’m picking up my new-to-me 2011 GS350, and there were a few things they pointed out, one of which is a bit worrisome.

They basically called out four things:

1) Engine air filter needs replacement
2) Cabin air filter needs replacement
3) Right rear shock starting to weep
4) Front cover starting to weep

The last item is the only real baddie out of the four, and this seems to be a rather common issue with the 2GR-FSE (and a few other related engines). Essentially, either the seal wasn’t done well at the factory or, when a VVT recall/warranty work was performed, the tech didn’t do a great job on the seal. Bad news is that it’s apparently an engine-out fix(!) to get it squared away at a dealer cost of about $2k . Good news is that it’s just an oil leak and the vast majority of internet comments I’ve read note that their leaks haven’t really gotten any worse, so it never required addressing, just regular inspection and checking the oil level.

It doesn’t really scare me, but should it? Haven’t paid out any money for this thing yet aside from the PPI and a plane ticket.

DISCUSSION (28)

WiscoProud > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 11:52

I would want them to fix the leak or to adjust the price accordingly. It may not be a fatal flaw, but it is an oil leak. That may be acceptable on a 20 year old beater, but not a 2011.

random001 > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 11:56

If you really want it, you could offer to split the cost of the repair with the seller as well.

WilliamsSW > WiscoProud
02/20/2019 at 12:06

Yeah, if I owned the car already I might let it ride, but I would demand something for it right now

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 12:19

I doubt they are going to negotiate much on the price for $12,000 sale and a $2,000 repair, but it’s worth asking for right?

412GTI > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 12:21

I don’t think the dealer would be willing to cover the cost of that on a 100k car, they’d rather sell to someone else, most likely.

Could see if they would be willing to contribute partly or go half on the repair cost. However, if it only just leaks slightly you might be fine. Tough call.

Gerry197 > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 12:21

Any weeping leaks I’ve had have been fixed with Mobil 1 High-Mileage synthetic oil.

From weeping gaskets all the way to rear main seals. Really good stuff, highly rated , and should work well for this scenario or any situation where you have a small leak that isn’t really worth fixing.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 12:54

At that price point, that leak would bug the hell out of me.

Arrivederci > WiscoProud
02/20/2019 at 13:04

That’s fair, but before scheduling the PPI, I basically told them it’s just a yes/no decision, not a fix it or else. So, the question is, should a small leak stop me from buying an otherwise nice car?

Arrivederci > 412GTI
02/20/2019 at 13:05

Yeah, the Lexus store said it was just weeping a bit, not enough to make it to the ground or anything.

Arrivederci > random001
02/20/2019 at 13:06

I should’ve included it in my post, but it’s just a yes/no decision on the car.

Arrivederci > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/20/2019 at 13:06

I should’ve included it in my post, but it’s just a yes/no decision on the car.

Arrivederci > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/20/2019 at 13:06

Maybe, but I honestly am not sure I’d have even have noticed had I bought it in person.

Arrivederci > Gerry197
02/20/2019 at 13:06

Thanks for the advice!

WiscoProud > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 13:14

How’s the price overall? Is it already lower than comparable vehicles without leaks? If it is, you could argue its already built into the price. If its the same price as similar vehicles without a leak, i would go with one of them. Although, making it a yes/no decision seems foolish. The dealer as a service department and can likely fix it quicker and cheaper than you could.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 13:17

That’s fair. If you clean it up often enough, it usually won’t drip down.

Arrivederci > WiscoProud
02/20/2019 at 13:19

The car’s at a small independent dealer and the price we negotiated is about $2k below “retail.” There’s a comparable car about the same distance away that I haven’t paid to have inspected and the lowest price they’d give me is about $1k more than I’m paying for this one.

The deal is good, the leak is obviously not ideal, but like I replied to someone else - I’m honestly not sure I’d have noticed it had I inspected the car myself like I normally do with used car purchases.

Gerry197 > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 13:19

You’re welcome. Do some research and check reviews, I think you’ll like it. I’ve been using it for over a decade, first on my 93' Ranger 4.0, then my 96' Grand Cherokee 4.0.

Even though my E46 and E90 calls for BMW approved oil, I still use it on them as well. However, BMW approved oil is more about longevity to meet their extended oil change intervals, I change them at 5,000 miles or 1 year, so that’s not an issue.

It may take an oil change or two to get it to stop the weeping completely, but it will happen. Of course this won’t stop a badly applied gasket, just dried out gaskets which is the most common reason for weeping.

WiscoProud > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 13:26

Might be fine in that case. Without seeing the leak, its hard to judge.

Arrivederci > WiscoProud
02/20/2019 at 13:34

Very true - this is the challenge of buying a car long distance. Bummer all the good examples nearby were all really high-priced.

Arrivederci > Gerry197
02/20/2019 at 13:36

I have been checking it out since reading your post! Definitely seems like it should help, next I’ll have to troll the forums to see if anyone has had luck with it. A bit of oil weeping doesn’t really bother me - hell, even the valve cover gasket on my S3 was starting to weep a bit.

Gerry197 > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 13:41

Absolutely. I started using it because I wanted to use synthetics for my older vehicles since they only need an oil change once a year or even once every 2 years.

However, I was afraid of the cleaning effects synthetics had on engines and opening up a leak that was plugged up with carbon, etc.

However, these high mileage oils are designed to clean up those leaks but also have conditioners to make the gaskets more “supple” and actually fill in that weep. Every single vehicle I’ve used it with has fixed any weeping they had. No negative effects on anything, good results from Blackstone Labs analysis as well.

Snailkite > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 13:52

If the price is as good as you say and the oil leak issue is both common and not going to get worse as you say, I wouldn’t worry about it.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 15:03

This is the best-looking GS ever. I’d try to get the price down to help cover for a potential engine-out repair. You probably won’t get $2k off since it’s an aging car and not the product of neglect, but anything helps.

Also, if one shock is starting to weep, the others are probably on their way out as well. Might want to prep for a shock rebuild party with significant downtime.

Good luck and congrats in advance !

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 16:29

Honestly I wouldn’t worry about it. It’ll eventually develop weaps and leaks before too long, so it’s pushing off the inevitable. If it’s just a weap, then it really isn’t a problem at all in my opinion (coming from someone who had a 98 GS300 that severely burned and leaked oil)

Manny05x > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 16:37

I would pass.

dogisbadob > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 18:57

If you get snow, salt and rust, don’t even bother fixing an oil leak. The leaking oil will help stop the rust :o)

Shocks do wear eventually, so that’s not a big deal, either.

facw > Arrivederci
02/20/2019 at 20:29

Wait is the Lexus dealer both selling the car and doing the PPI? I wouldn’t be comfortable with that arrangement. I mean they told you some flaws which is good, but if they are doing both, those are some strong incentives to downplay things on the PPI.

Arrivederci > facw
02/21/2019 at 07:52

No - a small independent dealer nearby is selling it. That wasn’t terribly clear in my post.