Lexus IS250 4GR-FSE Engine Carbon Build-up (merged threads)
02-11-14 | 07:45 AM
#1201
I still need to install my Mishimoto can this week.
Lots have installed an OCC and from what I've gathered educationally from OCC's, it seems they will do a great job combating large buildups.
02-11-14 | 09:19 AM
#1202
Hmm, is it the ethanol really that big of a factor? Now that I think of it, the couple of times the idle did stutter a little, I was gassing up with 91 octane from Co-Op. Since switching to Shell 91 which is advertised as having no ethanol, I haven't really experienced anything. Interesting.
02-12-14 | 08:32 PM
#1203
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: FL
as I was told the Lexus "engineers" have narrowed it down to the increasing amount of ethanol in the fuels these days. not sure if there is any proof but that's what they're going with.. so from now on ill be looking for non ethanol fuel or adding a stabilizer.
02-13-14 | 08:49 AM
#1204
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 6
From: FL
My car is still in the shop and the water pump was leaking a little which they are replacing for free 
however they did sell me on changing the spark plugs and the alternator bearings but they aren't charging labor since its already out.
I asked them if they did anything to correct the problem so it doesn't happen again and he said well this is the phase 1 process the engineers are still working on a phase 2 so they can correct the problem permanently. I mean its not really Lexus fault, its the gas makers and their damn ethanol. I will be trying to find gas stations with 0% ethanol from now on.. Also my wife doesn't drive and baby the car anymore so with my heavy foot im sure it wont be a problem for years to come, maybe ill have it traded on a newer model or a 350 by then.
however they did sell me on changing the spark plugs and the alternator bearings but they aren't charging labor since its already out. I asked them if they did anything to correct the problem so it doesn't happen again and he said well this is the phase 1 process the engineers are still working on a phase 2 so they can correct the problem permanently. I mean its not really Lexus fault, its the gas makers and their damn ethanol. I will be trying to find gas stations with 0% ethanol from now on.. Also my wife doesn't drive and baby the car anymore so with my heavy foot im sure it wont be a problem for years to come, maybe ill have it traded on a newer model or a 350 by then.
02-13-14 | 09:57 AM
#1205
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 12,601
Likes: 1,631
From: WA
http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-...-adopters.html
02-13-14 | 10:04 AM
#1206
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 6
From: FL
Carbon build up issues plague many direct injection engines, not just Lexus. It's simply a function of the design, and not such an easy problem to solve. This article is a few years old, but does a decent job at explaining.
http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-...-adopters.html
http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-...-adopters.html
02-13-14 | 02:16 PM
#1207
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: FL
First time I am hearing this about the gas.If that is the case wou;dn't a bunch of other cars have the same issue then? My next question to them is do they plan to cover this second fix for everyone? It seems so costly as they most likely will have to clean it all out again too.
which is probably what I will do one day.
02-13-14 | 02:21 PM
#1208
Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ca
I live in No CA and have had the idle issues since under 20K miles in my '08 IS 250 and have never used gas with ethanol- only Chevron premium. I have also driven other DI engines and none have this issue. The fact that it appears to come back again for many posters would seem to indicate that this is a design issue. I will sell the car when it hits 9 years old and the extended warranty for the repair expires. Not worth the risk of a 4K repair that will leave the car at the same value as before it was done.
02-13-14 | 09:10 PM
#1210
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 415
Likes: 55
From: AZ
I have 76K miles on mine. I have ran Mobil 1 synthetic since I purchased the car new with 5k mile oil changes. I am occasionally getting misfires after coming off the freeway to a stop. Nothing bad yet. I have been using 3m fuel injection cleaning system every 25K miles and just installed a OCC. I honestly don't want an engine overhaul unless I absolutely need it. Unfortunately, I am also getting cam gear rattle on cold start ups... Not really sure what to do with the car. It is in near excellent condition. I was hoping to get 250K+ miles out of it.
02-14-14 | 08:36 AM
#1211
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
From: Ca
I have had the piston replacement a year ago. The car is running great now, but I'm lost on how to keep it running great. The carbon build up is an issue that we can't seem to avoid. So I'm in search of what other car companies advise there customers on how to lower the amount of build up. Many automakers have direct injection engines. My car still looks like new and I would love to keep it another five years. Especially since I just had a new transmission installed at the dealer for free. Do any of you have tips on keeping the carbon build up down inside the engine. Thanks in advance.
02-14-14 | 09:17 AM
#1212
Use Seafoam twice a year or when you start to notice the symptoms, try using ethanol free 91 octane gas only, and push the engine hard every once in a while.
I haven't had to use Seafoam yet, but I've been doing the other two for the better part of a year and I haven't noticed any issues.
I haven't had to use Seafoam yet, but I've been doing the other two for the better part of a year and I haven't noticed any issues.
02-14-14 | 09:26 AM
#1213
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
From: Ca
Use Seafoam twice a year or when you start to notice the symptoms, try using ethanol free 91 octane gas only, and push the engine hard every once in a while.
I haven't had to use Seafoam yet, but I've been doing the other two for the better part of a year and I haven't noticed any issues.
I haven't had to use Seafoam yet, but I've been doing the other two for the better part of a year and I haven't noticed any issues.
02-14-14 | 02:01 PM
#1214
Using different gas and pushing the engine now and again will likely not too too much to affect carbon build up unfortunately.
The carbon is building up upstream of where fuel is being injected.
Jeff
The carbon is building up upstream of where fuel is being injected.
Jeff
02-14-14 | 04:27 PM
#1215
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 415
Likes: 55
From: AZ
. Seafoam is half pale oil (diesel fuel).
Seafoam MSDS
Ingredient. % by Wt
Pale Oil 40-60%
Naptha 25-35%
IPA 10-20%
3M™ Intake System Cleaner Kit
Ingredient. % by Wt
Isopropyl Alcohol 30-60%
Heavy Aromatic Solvent Naphtha (Petroleum) 10-30%
Water 10-30%
Isobutane 7-13%
Oleic Acid 6-13%
Triethanolamine 5-10%
Linoleic Acid 1-5%
Tripropylene Glycol Methyl Ether 1-5%
Naphthalene < 0.2%
Diethanolamine < 0.1%
Seafoam MSDS
Ingredient. % by Wt
Pale Oil 40-60%
Naptha 25-35%
IPA 10-20%
3M™ Intake System Cleaner Kit
Ingredient. % by Wt
Isopropyl Alcohol 30-60%
Heavy Aromatic Solvent Naphtha (Petroleum) 10-30%
Water 10-30%
Isobutane 7-13%
Oleic Acid 6-13%
Triethanolamine 5-10%
Linoleic Acid 1-5%
Tripropylene Glycol Methyl Ether 1-5%
Naphthalene < 0.2%
Diethanolamine < 0.1%
Last edited by firelikeiy; 02-14-14 at 04:36 PM.