micel

After cam actuator replacement on '06 IS350 the car is getting a 25% reduction in fuel economy,pick-up has decreased and engine is running hotter(fans are on almost always on).I was thinking maybe chain is a tooth off,clogged OCV or may- be a faulty actuator.I understand theory of VVT-I but do not know whats involved in replacing actuators.I do know it is running much worse now than it was before.I have already taken it back to tech and he says its fine,he just does not want to open it back up.Has anybody experienced anything like this before when having actuators replaced or have any tech's had this issue?Thanks

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

Should set a code being even slightly off, it constantly compares all the cams to each other and has several ''correlation'' codes that show if one were off.

Maybe bad gas or carbon buildup? Has the weather changed a lot since you had it in?

embolism

I am getting the noise too on my right side bank. It is the oil pressure building back up for the cam actuators. It is especially long after an oil change for obvious reasons. Newer models have an internal check valve so the pressure doesn't fall.

I had recorded the noise for my service advisor and was going to get it done under powertrain warranty but my mechanic told me that it doesn't harm the engine so live with it. The process to get to them is very involved and whenever you do something like this it really depends on the skills of the mechanic. It is difficult to replicate the factory tolerances of an engine built by computerized robots so if something is overlooked or seals that are never meant to be opened are not put back the way they were originally, then the engine will never be the same.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but the odds are higher that there will be issues worse than the noise afterwards so to me it isn't worth getting it done.

micel, sorry to hear you are having issues. I hope they make it right for you.

My post is just for general info that may help others avoid the issues you are having now.

gocubs08

to get this fixed or not.... damn I hate deciding these things

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

Id get it fixed, its not that complicated of a repair, especially compared to some of the recalls.

micel

My cam actuator was replaced and now it runs worse.Yes I would get it done again b/c who really knows what the long term damage may arise from noise,this engine is only 5yrs old.The issue is finding a knowledgeable mechanic and quality parts.Whose going to buy a $30k car that has a noise like that.On the other hand whose going to pay top dollar for a car that has been opened up before.This repair is mighty complex(messing with timing chain) and can even include replacing the exhaust cam.Mine supposedly is not throwing any codes,but somethings definitely not right for it to run this way.Im thinking to run this bad and no codes it may be the ecu.I was hoping some Lexus mechanic would advise or someone who has this issue themselves.

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

Not sure why it would ever require exhaust cam replacement...

micel

Im not sure either about e cam replacement,but when trouble shooting engine knock (tsb)its the second from last thing to check with the last being ecm.I talked with a lexus mechanic from another dealer and he said theres mutiple ecu's on 3.5 and perhaps the tech forgot to reflash throttle body ecu which would cause exact same issues including not throwing any codes.

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

No such thing as a throttle body ecu....

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like the exhaust cam is off a tooth. Yes, it could set a code, but it might not. How do I know? I've installed an exhaust cam out of phase and suffered the exact same symptoms the OP describes (and more - like hard to start when cold).

Anyway, the concept that an engine built by the factory is somehow superior to one repaired by a competent tech is pure BS. There is no magic to building an engine. It can be painstaking work depending on a lot of things, but any Lexus trained tech who is qualified to work on your engine can reassemble it just as well as the factory did. I've built a LOT of engines, and they've all been better than factory builds because I have the time to sweat the details. Line techs are under the gun for time, but they're also under the gun for quality in a way the factory isn't. I'd trust their work (and I had them do the cam drive swap on my 350 - twice because the parts failed the first time).

The ECM stuff is someone who clearly does not know jack about the engine management in the 2UR-GSE.

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

Or 2GR-FSE

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Ummm, yeah, you're right. I must have V-8 on the brain...

embolism

I stand behind what I said. You stuck the word competent in there which changes things completely. Look at the two LEXUS techs from different dealers that micel has had to deal with. One screwed up the job and doesn't want to fix it, the other is making up parts that don't exist to explain the problem.

It's like a casino out there. Roll the dice and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose...

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

I doubt he talked to the techs. More than likely it was a service adviser. Some of them are really good and know their -ish. Some are horrible and don't know jack, or will tell you anything they think will make you shut up.

It's really not a casino. In a casino, you are guaranteed to lose in the long run. In the long run at the dealership, your gear will get fixed right.

micel

Yes both are mechanics currently working for Lexus,The mechanic that did the job is about 25 working for Lexus for +/- 1.5yrs and the other is from a local competing Lexus dealer that is 40 or so and says he has been a Lexus mechanic for 15yrs.The car is definitely running to lean or advanced b/c I had never noticed the electric radiator fans(fan) before and now they are on most of the time.I'm also averaging 16mpg were before I was at 21.As far as running ruff ,no just reduced power and fuel economy.I was thinking of letting them do the valve spring recall which would require Lexus to re-do actuator assembly but they would still be using same parts.If there were any issues after valve spring replacement I would really have a mess to trouble shoot.