I have a 02 GS 300. Was running fine but time for inspection. Went to mechanic who put it on machine. Machine said needs 2 upstream oxygen sensors. Bought them, plugs, wires, oil & filters. After mechanic goes under hood, he says I need valve cover gasket. Ok. Got that too. After work is complete. Car acts as if it wants to cut off (but sound like it's idleling very high), back fires (sounds like a very short horn blow when given some gas) and sputters (shakes terribly). Mechanic says wires damaged near coil due to hardening and cracking. Finally find parts 90980-11246 & 82998-12440 at toyota. Rewire and protect with lume but Car has NO PROGRESS! WHAT AM I LOOKING AT NOW?!?! HELP!!

Frustrated Phileshia!

 

Sounds like you need a new mechanic. My suggestion take it to the dealer, and have them do an hours worth of diagnosis. Shouldn't be more then $100 bucks. Once they figure out what the issue is, then take it back to your mechanic and have him replace the part that need to be replaced.

There are two types of mechanics, 1: Is a part slapper, they don't take the time or do not have the skill to diagnose the problem, so they slap parts hoping to hit jack pot. 2: A good reliable mechanic will test the damaged part and only replace the parts needed.

Goodluck! and BTW this thread is in 3GS 02 Gs300 is 2GS

 

Exactly what I was thinking. Take it to a Lexus dealer and have them look at it. Too bad this mechanic spent so much of your time and money.

 

What brand/type Plugs and wires did he install? Also, he might not have installed the coils/wires in the correct order.
Also, is the check engine light coming on now?

 

I concur, sounds like the wires were not put on properly.

 

Wires were not put on right and I doubt that you purchased NGK or Denso due to cost. If the mechanic was this inept, I sure he told you to purchase bosch or some other american car plug to put in. what brand of 02 sensor did he use?

 

Wow! Thank you all for the responses. Yes I did buy NGKs, I try to buy only the best when it comes to Lexy. So heres the latest update: Mechanic went in and re-did everything. Car ran great for 30 miles Then... check engine light came on as well as VSC & VSC OFF light. Car sputters only at start-up and before coming to a complete stop, I accelerate. (Red light turns green type of thing). Any ideas what causes that?

Lexus Diagnostics...Here I Come!!

 

Again I Thank You All

 

I think he got the plug wires crossed. Probably just 2, but it is easy to do on these cars with the in line 6

 

Oh by the way, The O2 sensors were Bosch.

 

My apologies... My son signed me up and I take it I'm posting in the wrong place??? How do I get to where I should be?

 

Yea. Get a new mechanic, he is screwing you over. Sounds like maybe he wired up the firing order incorrectly, could be a bad wire, bad coil pack, or plugs. O2 sensors and valve cover would have not cause that.

 

I wonder how he re-did everything if he doesn't know the correct order for the wires!! He should probably get on this site and look at the Sticky for changing spark plugs on our cars

HERE IS A LINK TO THE CORRECT WIRE ORDER incase you want to print it out and give it to him to make sure he put yours in right: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/3745177-post65.html

Here is a thread to the DIY incase he wants to make sure he didn't leave something disconnected : https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...for-gs300.html

 

Question: Was your check engine light on before you took it in for the inspection? If you had bad O2 sensors, your CEL would be on. Since you didn't mention it, I'm assuming it was not.

That's the first red flag that this mechanic is milking you for all you're worth and/or has no clue what he's doing.

Find a new mechanic. These Toyota engines aren't difficult to work on - especially for someone who does it for a living.

 

Find a new mechanic