Auto Gearbox - Problem

[rajesh]

Hello - Guys....(i think God want me to change my car!!)

As some of you know, i love my Baby - the amount of problems i been having...cost after cost, and Insurance clams - due to bad drivers...

well this morning i was driving into work as normal, when 2 minutes from work the car gave up on me! - the engin was running, petrol flowing as normal, batary working fine...BUT as i pushed the GAS the car was not doing anything.... - managed to push the car on the side of the road. opened the bonnet and had a look try to see any bits loose or anything.... - and started the car again as i left the bonnet open the car moved again BUT not for long......anyways i called the RAC they were puzzled as i was...

after he tested the car in am local small road...(back and Forward) - when he got the car started that is....he came to find out the Gear Box had gone....he said the gears were missing "Auto Gear Failing"....he then gave me the SHOCKING news you need a new Gear Box! - £1500 - £2000 aprox......!

as you know my car is in great clean condition.....BUT is worth £2000 - £3000 if that! - i decided i needed time to think and do some research (you guys) in what to do...

As times are bad....a new car is out of the question (well a good one).

Any Guide advice wouuld help a lot...

[lexynik]

hi,sorry to hear this - if all else fails theres loads of is200s cw gearboxes at bridges scrapyard-its not a part ive heard fails very often so should be ok with a 2nd hand unit-type "spares galore" in search box for details of where they are - i dont know what they would charge for a box but as the cars are mostly complete id try and get them to start the donor car first and give it a whizz round the field before spending time and effort taking a box out - your probably looking at £400-£500 just in labour to take a box from one car and put it in another so still wont be cheap - might be worth having your box reconditioned or looked at by a specialist

[rajesh]

just spoke to Lexus - they advised me to do a (Strainer) open,clean,replace oil) first before you know for sure its a new Gearbox that is needed.

Auto Trans, in wembley quoted me £1300 all inc. - rip out gearbox - clean - rebuild - fix back in.

Lexynik - thx for the input... - its going to be hard to decide what to do, and will it be worth spending money for a new gearbox.

[04AAA]

Who said it was the gearbox? Just the RAC man?

I know the RAC are quite good but I wouldn't trust their opinion on something as sophisticated .. in fact on my wife's Celica they diagnosed a new Battery 2 years ago - our local garage mechanic had a good laugh and it is still starting first time.

I'm sure such a fault could be any number of things other than a gearbox. Get a second opinion from someone who knows about Lexus gearboxes and what makes them tick - a Lexus trained mechanic perhaps?

[lexynik]

lexus gave good advice tbh - many things would stop it driving ie low fluid- you need to get it looked at before deciding

[JollyRoger]

Who said it was the gearbox? Just the RAC man?

I know the RAC are quite good but I wouldn't trust their opinion on something as sophisticated .. in fact on my wife's Celica they diagnosed a new battery 2 years ago - our local garage mechanic had a good laugh and it is still starting first time.

I'm sure such a fault could be any number of things other than a gearbox. Get a second opinion from someone who knows about Lexus gearboxes and what makes them tick - a Lexus trained mechanic perhaps?

Do as Lexus say and drain the fuid and change the filter before you go and further ?

Modern Auto trannies are more complcated than of old what with internal elecro switches and fluid viscosity.

I doubt even if any lexus tech,s would be confident in stripping an rebuilding auto boxes you will need a specialist and thats going to cost,

Second hand route will be the cheapest but you could be buying someone elses trouble.

[rajesh]

Thx guys, from my findings -

Stevens Eng advised me and confirmed from the status of problem the car has; - needs a gearbox refurb for 1250 + Vat; they also informed me it will last upto 40,000 miles. A Garage in Wembley willing to do it for 1300 all inc.

i also want to take it for a second check..! but i have only one towing own to me via RAC; so i have to be wise..

does anyone know a Lexus reconditioned specialist in the Hertfordshire area???

[lexynik]

rejesh you had the car repaired recently after an accident - if there were damaged pipes leaking autobox fluid from the accident it would eventually ruin your gbox as fluid runs out - might be worth a check for signs of leakage from auto box radiator pipes etc-you might have cause to complain about the repairs which were done

[Asi]

to be honest i wont dish out £1300 for a flush and etc. i would put fluid in and check if that makes a difference if not then before spending £1300 look on eBay you would get a auto box for cheap

[rajesh]

guys

did a lot of thinking last night and took onboard all the great information you all have added... thought that the best way of finding all the problems with the gearbox or any others, a system check has to be done (a Good One) - thinking of gong to send the car to hatfield lexus - its within the 10 miles range i have. And see how much they charge for a refurb....okay it might be more...at least it goes though the 1st part a good clean out, and system check.....as some of you stated to do....

Ok it will cost me 240.00 - but they are LEXUS with all the know how - and not some odd Garage....- will keep you all osted.

also thought about the stuff that i have to change over the years - and i can say its not a lot...

1 CAM-BELT

2 HAND BREAK

3 KNOW ITS THE GEARBOX

the other stuff like tyres, break disks, break pads....are all normal - like any other car...so its not too bad...!

Lexynik - yes the car did go into repare, after a knock, but it was a very slow, small knock - i dont think it would of coursed a leek but lexus will find it if you sre right....

[lexynik]

i think thats a good idea rajesh - also unfortunately thinking ahead in case the box does need reparing/replacing it might be worth your while going thru loot/friday ad etc to find someone with a flatbed truck to move it on from lexus to the specialists you mention - half hour on the fone now might save you a few quid later on.

i cant see what else you can do really apart from get the car fixed as its not going to get much being sold with a duff gbox or for scrap

[04AAA]

they also informed me it will last upto 40,000 miles.

A gearbox (especially an auto box) should have a lifetime much like your engine 100k plus miles. I've had a number of high mileage cars 150k+ over the years and have never required either a new engine or gearbox. Both only wear out if not properly maintained (like trying to run them without lubricant). Manual gearboxes are not so reliable especially if someone crashes the gears a lot. The clutch and clutch springs on a manual is just as much a consumable as brake pads.

Of course a loss of gearbox fluid then continuing to drive without it is going to cause damage - spotting the catastrophic loss is going to be difficult but isn't checking levels a standard service check item?

I'm afraid if the fluid levels are OK I'm still pretty skeptical that the gearbox has failed and that it is not something electronic or in a mechanical link.

[rajesh]

guys -

The car gor picked up yesterday, by RAC - drop to Lexus for a full GearBox service and system check....today is judgement day, it was odd, due to car been parked near another car, had to move the car to a open area so he could tow it from the back, well he strated the car as normal and IT MOVED with out any problems....promising !!

lets see what happens.

[Parthiban]

Definitely wouldn't be paying over a grand without having Lexus take a look first, it probably is fluid or something as Lexus auto boxes don't go wrong that often.

Hope it's something simple, and yes if the car moved it does mean the box still works :)

[lexynik]

fingers crossed for you rajesh

[rajesh]

lexus just informed me it will be strating today at 17.00hrs or tomorrow morning....

Work to be done by 2 persons and the gearbox will be cleaned - oil change along with some parts to be replaced

will come to £389.00.

fingers X that will be it....!

[rajesh]

GOOD NEWS Guys -

all done and been driven back this afternoon; - £389.90 in total, all working fine "BUT" has little noise as the metals rub - Lexus informed me to watch this and as soon as they get louder you will have to refurb the gearbox or get yourself a new car; well i said that part! also confirmed with him how this happened - answer was a simple its getting old and it has done a lot of miles".

i just hope these Ball bearings dont get damaged too quickly...

cannot wait.....i like to thank you all for your information and support on these sad times...a bit sad i know, but i love my Lex...! Now i have the inposible task deciding what to do, get rid of the car? - do a refurb? - there is no way i can aford a new car, pay 1K - 1.5K for a GearBox refurb is possible, but how long until that will go? - 40K or longer....its a 60 million dollor question...

[lexynik]

Rajesh im really pleased they got it going for you and like to think my finger crossing helped ,, but ,, dont wanna be the voice of doom but unless you have some fluid leak from somewhere which lexus addressed which you havent mentioned i do wonder why you

a- lost drive

b- how long it will last especially if its making a funny noise !

i think realistically you should use this period as a breathing space to get busy and either find a 2nd hand box or fone around to get the best price on a refurb - only saying this as it doesnt sound like lexus gave you an understandable reason for your loss of drive so id be extremely worried it could happen again tbh

on a brighter note at least you now have the option to drive the car to a place of repair - also worth considering i think youve used up all your free aa tows,,, not sure how it works but could be worth joining rac or increasing your tows so you dont find yourself stranded somewhere.

my old 200 auto used to whine very slightly in 1st gear which sounded a bit like a turbo whistle but really faint,, i know a few other 200 auto owners have this noise and consider it a trait of the box,is this the type of noise you have ?

[rajesh]

guys - you all never guess what!! - as you know i got the car yesterday, this morning i decided to go Hampstead for my Art supplies.....the car drove okay-ish accept from the litte noise at times.......BUT i was i 1 mile away from CASS Art and the car gave-up....the 1st thing i did was contact Lexus Hatfield and expand that i was not happy! i was accepted to have the gearbox for at least 3 - 4 weeks....but NO...!

after talking i managed, to have the car picked up from my house and get a loan car from Lexus on them, also i wanted the £400 refub back to me!

all i have to do know is have these confirmed on Monday... - (what a week!!) i also ask for a price on a refub GearBox from Lexus - a whopping £1750.00 YES that's right, a lot more from 1300... - more thinking to do.

i hear what all you are saying - more thinking are on the cards.....

WHY O WHY.....

[lexynik]

im pretty sure all lexus would of done was to empty any old gearbox fluid out,change the filter and add new fluid tbh so £400 for that service sounds a lot anyway,,sorry this has happened rajesh - i imagine lexus will offer to take the money youve spent with them off the price of a refurb,,,, in all honesty as said earlier i doubt theyll refurb it in house so it would probably go off to a local specialist like the ones that quoted you £1300 ish ,,, if you went down that route at least you might keep the loan lexus while its being done and also have the piece of mind of a lexus warranty on work carried out - either way its not gonna be a cheap fix,sorry mate

[rajesh]

morning all -

had my Bro over last night and went over the options - from refurbish the GearBox - scraping the Lex - buying a new more Eco cost efective car ie MPG - options in a car etc ...was not easy talking that i might loose my car.....

Scrap - if i just scrap the car i most-likely get what 1K? - and there is another option sell parts of the car BUT who and how do i get the car into parts to sell?

refurb - spending 1300 - 1750 for 40k if that is frowing money away, why wel who knows what else is wrong, going to happen with my lex? - as its done 125k, realised will/might need to do a cam belt again....!

New Car - as said before, i have not got the cash for a new car; but my Mum might come to the rescue, (she Own's me Big) - will see if it comes true (long story).

what to get? - my Bro just brought a used NW Golf for 10K, and loves if as its got a the Equ and is very Eco; - shell i go the same or go for a 10K Used Lexus IS220D? or ?

i might even go without a car for 1 or 2 months just to find my options etc - more time to sort the Lex, and my privet number plate..

choices choices...

[fjcfarrar]

morning all - etc

Hi Rajesh. Faulty Lexus IS200 Auto boxes are rare except from extreme neglect - usually major fluid loss in the past. They should easily outlast the rest of the car. Even Lexus will have difficulties sorting out auto gearbox problems because they don't see enough faulty ones to be used to repairing them. Auto boxes self-protect because they always select an appropriate gear and don't have to suffer anybody revving and dropping the clutch on them and so on.

You have been really unlucky with yours and another box from a crashed/write-off car is very, very unlikely to have any problems. So get one from a scrap/reclaim yard and have it fitted by an independant to keep costs down. It is not a difficult job and hard to make a mess of it. Most scrap/reclaim yards guarantee such parts although you would then have to bear any costs of exchanging etc., but it really is extremely unlikely you will even have to think about that.

If the rest of the car is in a good state, this is probably worthwhile compared with going for another used car which could prove a dud - in fact it is much more likely that there will be faults with the whole of a used car than just a used gearbox.

[rajesh]

thx -

tell me about it mate really unlucky! - your idea of using a old GearBox will be 400 - 500 and lets say 300 - 500 to fit; that's almost 1K the same as my Lex is worth... - saw some on eBay 999 too 1,200 !!!! then how long until another thing goes wrong.

I have to get my money back from Lexus, think about it: Hatfield to StAbans 10 mins --- St Abans to Potters Bar 20 mins --- Potters Bar to Hampstead 35 mins so that's a 1hour for £400 !

after talking and talking to Lexus i have lost my 400.00 - they can only maybe take off 400 from the gearbox refurb if i choose to do so....! - :tsktsk: :tsktsk:

i am realy having bad luck 12 days of hell!!

[fjcfarrar]

thx -

tell me about it mate really unlucky! - your idea of using a old GearBox will be 400 - 500 and lets say 300 - 500 to fit; that's almost 1K the same as my Lex is worth... - saw some on Ebay 999 too 1,200 !!!! then how long until another thing goes wrong.

I have to get my money back from Lexus, think about it: Hatfield to StAbans 10 mins --- St Abans to Potters Bar 20 mins --- Potters Bar to Hampstead 35 mins so that's a 1hour for £400 !

Your problem there is that Lexus did what you asked - they no doubt never said it would cure it. The only way you will get anything back would be a generous trade-in on another car from them - and most Lexus main-dealers no longer keep IS200's, they just move them on. But if you strike lucky for once, they could just have a PX they haven't shifted yet. As for how long until something else goes wrong if you fix it - that will be the same problem whatever used car you replace yours with. It all hinges on just how near to perfect yours is apart from the gearbox. Is another unknown car a better way to spend £1k since you seem to be stuck with that sort of expenditure?

[rajesh]

i tried very hard with Lexus to get my money back, with no luck ! - yes that is true mate i may have to spend 1k towards an 2nd hand car; and very much possible get a bit off an used Lexus..... - i have been working out, amount cash i used on petrol and the performance i am getting is not as good as i 1st brought the car.

also as my kids are growing up, 16 & 13 soon will be driving, will need a manual / smaller car, (dont think for one second i like it) just been practical.

Another Lexus would be nice; but do i need a big car again, as times are getting harder? - Looked at Golf TSI and fell in love with the Citroën DS3; - both are cool looking cars...

i have decided within myself - i am going to take my time...scrap my car to you guys as parts or part ex or repair....