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Comments
Owners don't realize hoses are destroyed from the inside out,,,,,,,then they leak.
If there were not a few design weaknesses in the LS then the dealer service departments would go broke!.......can't make it on just timing belts plugs and water pumps.......need those coolant overflow tank failures, the heater valves, the ps system, the O2 sensors, the EGR crud.........don't put those nice guys out of work by [extra and above] maintaining your car, they have families to feed.
Things happen at the 200K mark that the engineers never planned for nor could they foresee. It's difficult to factor in age when you do product testing.
that's also one reason we aren't all flying our own helicopters to avoid the traffic jams... it's gawd-awful expensive to build things that way.
Most wear starts from day one and gets significant in the first 5-15,000 miles.
We see well maintained LS400 from 1989 with over 300,000 miles and orginal racks. But they were not foolish enough to believe the "life time fluid hum bug".
You can easily exceed the 100,000 mile design life [99.99%] of systems.
Even rubber can be protected with every 90 day applications of anti-ozone sealers [tire/rubber dressing made by Wurth].
My rack has 257,000 miles.
You have to balance the $500 annual [ALL] fluid exchange cost with the potential replacement costs in the future.
You can find PREMIUM remanned racks [you will be inundiated with junky remans be careful of national chains] and pumps [?] or you can find wrecked car parts.....with new hoses plus new rack bushings from dealer. Finding a competent independent tech with Lexus experience???
Some of the [combo metal rubber] hoses cost $370.
If you can afford a $50k+ car you are expected to accept $3,000 in repairs with a smile. Part of the cache!
Wait till the AC goes out from lack of compressor oil maintenance and eats the compressor and evaporator.
Luckily these are the expensive parts as the engine, diff, DS, tranny are nearly built proof if you change the fluids often!
"Trac": E1/Tc = 51 and "Check": E1/Te1 = 52 (response on #1011 was 25, but mine is 52 - checked it several times to be sure which number came first.) What do these codes mean??
Will think about it, if it continues to come on.
Most people can't tell if power is down 10-20% or if mpg drops 1-2 mpg.
Had timing belt changed, new rotors, caps, plugs, wires installed. New PCV valve, O2 sensors, valves adjusted. Ticking became a bit more pronounced, but not as sharp a tick, more muddled - about 4 times per second at idle.
Dealer and independent say try valve adjustment (again!). Done - ticking was improved (but not gone) for a hundred miles or two, but has returned.
Anybody have a clue as to the cause? It is audible now at low speed (<5 mph) as well as idle.
Anyone who can figure it out will be conferred with genius status!
Secondly, have the fuel injectors been looked at?
Those are my two guesses. Good luck, and please post back.
Tragens, you are correct, the noise does make the engine sound a bit like a diesel. Kind of a muffled, hmph, hmph, hmph sound with a tiny tick sort of blended in. But my car sounds almost like new when first started, then the noise increases in intensity until the car is warmed up, then it doesn't change.
I would suggest you take the car to a different Dealer, Write or Call Lexus, [non-permissible content removed] to your current dealer about paying $1600 to fix a problem that is NOT fixed or Trade the car in on a new or Newer one
You are not getting the Lexus experience you paid for when you bought the car. People with Mercedes or BMWs can make due with mechanical problems or small annoyances....Lexus people shouldn't have to.
Don't know if you got a couple of responses confused, but I didn't say I can't stand driving my car like it is. I can stand it perfectly well if it is just a noise. If it is a noise that preceeds a catastrophic breakdown, it becomes more than a nuisance. I can't really hear the noise that much from inside the car. It's only when parking with the windows down or standing outside it with the engine running that it is noticeable (very). I would like to know what it is and so far no one seems to know.
lestown,Pa.Very helpful and courteous on the phone.Got back to me in a reasonable time to answer my email query about several items related to my Lexus.Many Thanks.
thanks,
joe455
At 60k miles, it could be ready for a rather expensive service appt at the dealer. Find out if that 60k service has already been done and by whom.
Also, Lexus has a great tracking system by VIN on all their vehicles if owners have them serviced at dealerships. Give the VIN to your local Lex dealer and ask for a service history print out.
If these cars have not been serviced on a regular basis by trained techs you could be looking at major problems even with the low miles.
good luck!
My other 92 is finally getting the factory anti-freeze replaced after 12 years and over 100k miles. These are extremely reliable cars and oil and filter(s) replacements every 7500 miles will easily get you to 100k.
If the 92 is in stellar sharp its probably worth the price.
Check closely that the mileage has not been rolled back since one would expect 130-190k for this year car.
This car sold new for $38k msrp [in 1991 dollars][what would be $60k today]........with "REAL" LOW mileage average private party sales range from $5600 to $6400 at most..........Dealer retail might be as high as $8200-$8500 if cosmetically and mechanically PERFECT!........OUTSTANDING GRADE.
Make sure the car doesn't have air ride/shocks suspension as each one cost $900 x 4 to replace!
As with any used old lux car always reserve $3,000 in ready cash to fix the things the previous owner is hiding [why the car is being sold].
Both answers are in the affirmative so don't bother asking.
Sounds like a great car. As has been previously mentioned, be wary of mileage rollback. It might also be a good idea to have the car checked by a Lexus dealer before you purchase.
I've had a 1992 LS from new. Even though it has 87K on the clock, it's been a great car. I also have an '02 LS430, and I have to stay the original LS cars were the best ones. Nothing is better built than an original LS. I've had to replace the Timing belt, Water pump, and Power Steering pump (My fault..Didn't change the fluid). That's about it.
In other news...
The Lexus dealer figured out the source of the vibration/buzzing noise at idle..Can you imagine BOTH engine mounts were broken? (This car took a 35 MPH impact ride front side...Some fool ran a red light..) Of course this should be covered under insurance, but I'm worried about them Totalling the car. They've already allowed $5,280 in repairs. Lexus has quoted about $800 to replace both engine mounts. Is there any way to defend against them doing this? The car has 87K and is in perfect condition..
Thanks,
SV
If there is danger of it being totalled you can just pay the $800 yourself.
If I remember correctly this was an uninsured person that hit you so it is your company that ends up paying.
Thanks for all of your tips. The person who hit the car was insured by the same company. I let the Lexus dealer handle all the insurance hassles and repairs from the beginning. They've done a superb job of dealing with the insurance adjusters.
The Lexus dealer affirms that the mounts were damaged in the accident. They have serviced the car for over 11 yrs and just completed the 90K service and found no faults. I'd like to see the insurance company claim they know more than a Lexus dealer.
This whole Vibration nonsense started only after I got the car back. I've had to return to the body shop twice to get the right panel aligned correctly and a moulding painted that they forgot. I've also been back to the Lexus dealer twice to get the proper tire put back on the car, and deal with this vibration issue. I still don't see how this car passed inspection after the repairs were completed. The unpainted moulding and misaligned panel were glaringly obvious.
As you can all tell my patience is waning. This car was perfect prior to the accident. Now, it's rapidly becoming a headache. I really like this car otherwise I would have sold it by now. I don't think I'd have much luck replacing it with a 1992 LS in comparable condition, hence my hesitation.
Thanks again for your comments,
SV
Either the dealer or a mechanic I know touches my babies - nobody else.
Hilarious post Nvbanker. I agree. Remember these cars listed for over $45K back in the early 1990's. It's really surprising to learn how UNqualified some of these mechanics are at these chain stores. I'd trust my LS cars only to the dealer, or perhaps a trusty independant mechanic.
The Lexus dealer here charges $44 for an oil change. I find that somewhat pricey considering the price was $24.95 only two years ago..Hmm, maybe the cost of washing and vacuuming the car doubled..hahaha..
SV
I think the Lexus dealer service varies according to dealer. Here in MA we've got a good set of dealers with very competent mechanics. In 11 years, I've never had any issues with Lexus of Watertown. They've never missed a beat with my cars. Hence, I'm willing to pay extra for dealer service only.
SV