modenaf1

Hey everyone, sorry but I am a complete newbie to Lexus. I am currently looking at picking up a 1996 ES300 for dirt cheap. It has 200,000 miles on it and is in pretty good condition, though it does have some engine issues that concern me.

The owner claims the car has not had a timing belt done since he can remember, and he has had the car for 7 years and that it probably needs it done soon. I looked it up and I guess the 1MZ-FE in the '96 is NOT an interference engine. The car has what looks to be fairly decent oil in it that has been changed within the last 2000 miles or so and the level is fine. Here is the thing though, the engine makes a clacking noise at around 2000 RPM. The noise goes completely away below or above this 300-400 rpm window. At first I thought it was rod knock, but then it would do it all the time right? Could this have to do with the timing belt perhaps? At around this time or at higher RPMs, the check engine light goes from consistent on, to flashing, I guess meaning a misfire. I will have to get my code reader out tomorrow to see the exact codes.


What do you guys think about this? If the timing belt was broken wouldn't the car not run at all? Maybe its possible it hasn't broken but it has jumped time causing the car to run rough?

JamesBond1

I would stay away from this car IMHO...

funcrusher

How much is he selling it for? Take someone who knows knowledge about cars to have a look at it

modenaf1

800 dollars. I am pretty knowledgeable about cars, if it is the timing belt, coil packs, fuel injectors, that sort of thing, I am perfectly fine replacing myself, the real kicker is just trying to figure out if that clacking noise at 2000RPM is some sort of mechanical rod knock or oil starvation somewhere in the engine. I'm definitely willing to do work on the car, just not an engine rebuild.

Would it be rod knock though if it only happened around 2000 RPM? I feel like it has to be something with the timing belt tensioner or something, but then again most all of my experience is working on Nissan Maximas and I have no clue about these cars.

LeX2K

This is what a bad bearing sounds like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nyaSMbAx3I

If it's a "flap flap" kind of sound, that's very likely the timing belt. Honestly if the car has a decent body and interior, offer the guy $500 and tell him it needs major engine work. Which will be true, a timing belt job is considered major work if you go by what a dealer charges.