1997 LEXUS ES 300

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 shift, especially when cold, Slipping between gears under acceleration, Transmission fluid burnt smell or dark brown color, Check engine light with P0750 or P0755 shift solenoid codes

Fix: Full rebuild or replacement required. This transmission is known for solenoid pack failure and clutch wear. Rebuild takes 12-16 hours labor. Many shops recommend replacement with remanufactured unit due to internal design weaknesses.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Valve train noise/ticking on cold start, Low oil pressure warning light, Rough idle or misfires, Oil consumption between changes (more than 1 qt per 1,000 mi), Visible sludge on oil cap or valve covers

Fix: If caught early, aggressive flush treatments may help (3-5 oil changes at 500-mile intervals). Severe cases require cylinder head removal for manual cleaning (16-20 hours) or complete engine rebuild/replacement. Toyota had a warranty extension for this but it expired years ago.

Estimated cost: $3,500-7,000

Typical onset: 100,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle, especially in Drive, Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Engine movement visible when revving in Park, Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds

Fix: All three mounts (front engine, rear engine, transmission) typically fail together. Replace all at once. Front and rear engine mounts are 2 hours each, transmission mount is 1.5 hours. Use OEM Toyota mounts—aftermarket versions fail quickly.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil smell in cabin when heater is on, Oil pooling on exhaust manifolds (visible smoke), Oil drips on driveway from front of engine, Low oil level without visible external leaks underneath

Fix: Both valve cover gaskets and front camshaft seals deteriorate. Valve covers alone are 3-4 hours; if doing cam seals add another 2-3 hours. Often combined with timing belt service at this mileage. Use OEM gaskets and RTV sealant properly—reused bolts cause repeat leaks.

Estimated cost: $700-1,400

Typical onset: 130,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Whining or groaning noise when turning at low speeds, Steering effort increases, especially when cold, Power steering fluid leaking from pump (front passenger side of engine), Fluid appears foamy or has metal particles

Fix: Pump replacement is 2-3 hours. Also inspect high-pressure hose (often leaks at crimps). Flushing the system after replacement prevents contamination damage to the rack. Use genuine Toyota PS fluid only—ATF substitutes damage seals.

Estimated cost: $500-900

Typical onset: 90,000 mi intervals

Symptoms: This is preventive—no symptoms until catastrophic failure, If belt breaks: engine stops immediately, no restart, bent valves guaranteed

Fix: Interference engine—belt failure destroys valves. Timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idler pulleys, cam and crank seals are 6-8 hours. Many techs include valve cover gaskets since they're already there. DO NOT skip this service.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 120,000-160,000 mi

Symptoms: Single click when turning key, no crank, Intermittent no-start (works after sitting or tapping starter), Grinding noise during cranking, Starts fine when cold, fails when heat-soaked after shutdown

Fix: Starter replacement is 1.5-2 hours. Access from underneath, starter bolts to transmission bell housing. Heat from exhaust manifold accelerates failure. Remanufactured units common—test before final assembly. Clean all ground connections during replacement.

Estimated cost: $400-700