Bad Lexus
#1
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Bad Lexus
I would love to say my LS400 has been the most reliable car ever but it has not. I bought this as a winter car and I knew it needed a few things when I purchased it a year ago. While some are maintanance items most are not. Anyone had a similiar experience. I have done a new EGR valve, water control valve, timing belt, water pump, A odd water pump brackett with pulley problem for $500 at the dealer, battery, new shocks, springs. upper rear control arm, both front upper control arms were bad so I purchased the one side then did the Daizen bushing kit which was properly lubed and still squeaks every time the control arms move and down when it gets a little cold out, yes I know urethane is loud when it gets cold but it's super annoying. new front brake caliper, it seized, new brake rotors and pads, power steering rack, power steering pump, then the alternator went of corse, because it's underneath so new alternator with the vacum fitting on the alternator. Abs unit, plus the usual tune up parts. I know I did more but I can't remeber now. I still need a rear main seal, and a drive shaft (my Lexus dealer said) I have a vibration and yes I have done alignments with brand new Michelin Pilot sport tires plus my traction control does not work. So when I read that moldy post about the cluster sticking that's nothing. Any one have any ideas for the traction control other than the $1000 dollar part Lexus recommended. I thought my E36 euro spec M3 needed repairs but it's reliable like a Civic compared to my Lexus braking down multiple times and having to be towed leaving me stranded. I love the car and I hope it stops breaking down. My Lexus has 148000 miles on it
#3
sounds neglected in the past. PMCS (preventitave maintance checks and services)millitary term, will save lots of cash. You can buy a enzo if dont do maint on it for 15 years it would cost a fortune to repair. mine has 218396 very well maintaned and since i purchased it not a mechanical thing has gone out.my dad has the phillosophy its a lexus i shouldnt have to do a thing to it Yes and No, I say its still a car moving parts = maintance period. My sister has his old 92 and i can name about 10 high dollar parts that went out due to not flushing fluids unfortunately the darwin theary dosent apply.It may be time to cut losses and move on
#4
I have had some of the same experiences as you but a completely different mindset.
The only item on the list below that rendered my car undriveable was the Fan Bracket support.
This is the same part you mentioned. The bearing seized & that was that. I had a complete "kit" of all necessary parts ready for a TB change so the failure of this part just sent me to the shop a little earlier than expected & added $178.00 more in parts.
Should I be upset that this Fan bracket bearing failed at 171,000 miles? Was my PS pump junk for only getting 175,000 miles down the road? Don't think so. Now if I wasted $1000.00 in labor to doing these things at seperate times I would be mad but it would also be my fault.
This site has saved me a large sum of money. The only thing my car went to a dealer for was the alignment and that was more for the experience than anything else.
Where an LS will eat your lunch if your not knowledgeable is the AC system, power steering system & suspension parts.
Good luck in the future.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't want to scare you but here is a "real-world" maintenance log for my 94 LS400:
117,323
11/23/2001 Repair Drivers Side Brake Light
05/15/2002 Leaking Heater Control Valve replaced .
07/30/2002
Brake Rotors & Pads changed . Bradi Rotors , Rotex pads from
Ricambi Sport
Front & Rear: Mileage 130,345
12/06/02 Air Filter Replaced. 135,862
05/02/03 Power Steering Fluid complete flush: Mileage 139,004
06/05/03 Transmission Fluid complete flush Toyota T-IV fluid : Mileage
140,312
08/08/03 Cabin Air Filter Replaced: Mileage 143,216
08/14/03 Front & Rear Struts replaced, OEM components. Front upper Strut Assembly replaced.
143,322
08/18/03 4 New Kumho Ecsta HP4 716 Tires. Mileage 143,546 installed at Costco
10/19/03 Bosch Windshield wipers
12/10/03 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner added. Mileage 148,423
BG MOA Oil Treatment added with oil change. Toyota oem filter
used.
BG Cooling System Flush added.
Complete flush of radiator and cooling system / Add 1.3
Gallons Toyota long-life coolant.
02/17/04 Brake Fluid Flushed by JP Importz:Replaced with Ate Super Blue
Fluid.
Coolant level checked and made 50/50. 149,318
03/18/04 EGR Pipe assembly replaced at Tines Automotive. New motor mounts &
transmission mount
installed by A-1 United Transmission (972) 278-9807. 149,566
03/27/04 Fuel Gauge Capacitor C-142 replaced on Circuit Board. Work done
152,151
04/01/04 State Inspection / Registration sticker applied. Oil Change 153,875
06/04/04 AC system checked for leaks / none found. 4 oz. of refrigerant
added at Blendair 156,729.
www.blendair.net Owners name: Mark
Due: Next Oil change 158,875
08/16/2004 New Battery from Autozone
09/16/2004 Oil Change with Mobil 1 Synthetic 159,515
12/23/2004 Tires rotated
01/10/2005 Current Mileage 165,500
Just started to have delay in Dashboard Instruments Display. Solution:
Replace
10uf 16v EC cap. Its on the processor or smaller PCB board. Reference is C212
03/07/2005
167,180 Oil Change to Mobil 1 Extended Life 15,000 mile
3/14/2005
167,565 Air Filter replaced.
03/22/05 Lower Ball Joints replaced (front) Tines $50.00
05/10/05
Mileage 168,475
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Timing Belt replaced:
Got real serious here & replaced a slew of parts while the engine was "torn-down" so to speak.
13568-59045 Timing Belt
13540-50030 Tensioner
13503-0f010 Idler Bearing Left
13505-50022 Idler Bearing Right
Front Cover Gaskets
11319-50010
11329-50010
11346-50010
11347-50010 2 Total
11357-50010
90311-A0001 Front Crank Seal
90311-38036 Cam seals ( 2 Total )
Cooling:
16100-50022 Water Pump
90916-03084 Thermostat
16325-62010 Water Inlet, Gasket
16571-50021 Upper Radiator Hose
71538 Lower Radiator Hose (Dayco Part #)
Hayden Fan Clutch #2656
16307-50011 Bracket Support for Fan
Accessories:
Alternator Parts
90099-10192 Front Alt. Bearing
90099-10194 Rear Alt. Bearing
27370-75060 Brush & Holder
5060885 Serpentine Belt (Dayco Part #)
89255 Tensioner (Dayco Part #) (This part was modified)
89026 Pulley (Dayco Part #)
Drive Belt Pulley Bearing NTN 63011LL (A&W Bearing)
Electrical
19101-50020 Dist. Cap X 2
19102-50020 Rotor X 2
Spark Plugs
BKR6EIX-11 X 8
All items between these lines were part of TB maintenance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/14/05 mileage 171,211
Replaced Brake Lines w Stainless Steel
Rotex front pads installed
7/12/05
Leak found in Coolant Bypass line. 171,813
Toyota Sealant & O-ring
2 Rear Brake Light bulbs changed & check ground on Drivers side rear connection
7/20/05
Power Steering Flush & refill.
07/22/05 Transmission Fluid drain & refill.
2 qts. Toyota T IV
Due: Differential Lube change
09/21/05
Oil Change Castrol Syntec 174,615
10/13/05 Idle Air Control Valve failure
System bypassed and new fluid added.
10/21/05 New Power Steering Pump from: mmolini@lexusofroseville.net
877-744-0411; Hose rebuilt at Ables
18” Rims and Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31’s added. 175,812
Strut Tower brace installed.
11/02/05 Sewell 4 wheel alignment.
12/01/05 Daizen Sway Bar Bushings 177,401
The only item on the list below that rendered my car undriveable was the Fan Bracket support.
This is the same part you mentioned. The bearing seized & that was that. I had a complete "kit" of all necessary parts ready for a TB change so the failure of this part just sent me to the shop a little earlier than expected & added $178.00 more in parts.
Should I be upset that this Fan bracket bearing failed at 171,000 miles? Was my PS pump junk for only getting 175,000 miles down the road? Don't think so. Now if I wasted $1000.00 in labor to doing these things at seperate times I would be mad but it would also be my fault.
This site has saved me a large sum of money. The only thing my car went to a dealer for was the alignment and that was more for the experience than anything else.
Where an LS will eat your lunch if your not knowledgeable is the AC system, power steering system & suspension parts.
Good luck in the future.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't want to scare you but here is a "real-world" maintenance log for my 94 LS400:
117,323
11/23/2001 Repair Drivers Side Brake Light
05/15/2002 Leaking Heater Control Valve replaced .
07/30/2002
Brake Rotors & Pads changed . Bradi Rotors , Rotex pads from
Ricambi Sport
Front & Rear: Mileage 130,345
12/06/02 Air Filter Replaced. 135,862
05/02/03 Power Steering Fluid complete flush: Mileage 139,004
06/05/03 Transmission Fluid complete flush Toyota T-IV fluid : Mileage
140,312
08/08/03 Cabin Air Filter Replaced: Mileage 143,216
08/14/03 Front & Rear Struts replaced, OEM components. Front upper Strut Assembly replaced.
143,322
08/18/03 4 New Kumho Ecsta HP4 716 Tires. Mileage 143,546 installed at Costco
10/19/03 Bosch Windshield wipers
12/10/03 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner added. Mileage 148,423
BG MOA Oil Treatment added with oil change. Toyota oem filter
used.
BG Cooling System Flush added.
Complete flush of radiator and cooling system / Add 1.3
Gallons Toyota long-life coolant.
02/17/04 Brake Fluid Flushed by JP Importz:Replaced with Ate Super Blue
Fluid.
Coolant level checked and made 50/50. 149,318
03/18/04 EGR Pipe assembly replaced at Tines Automotive. New motor mounts &
transmission mount
installed by A-1 United Transmission (972) 278-9807. 149,566
03/27/04 Fuel Gauge Capacitor C-142 replaced on Circuit Board. Work done
152,151
04/01/04 State Inspection / Registration sticker applied. Oil Change 153,875
06/04/04 AC system checked for leaks / none found. 4 oz. of refrigerant
added at Blendair 156,729.
www.blendair.net Owners name: Mark
Due: Next Oil change 158,875
08/16/2004 New Battery from Autozone
09/16/2004 Oil Change with Mobil 1 Synthetic 159,515
12/23/2004 Tires rotated
01/10/2005 Current Mileage 165,500
Just started to have delay in Dashboard Instruments Display. Solution:
Replace
10uf 16v EC cap. Its on the processor or smaller PCB board. Reference is C212
03/07/2005
167,180 Oil Change to Mobil 1 Extended Life 15,000 mile
3/14/2005
167,565 Air Filter replaced.
03/22/05 Lower Ball Joints replaced (front) Tines $50.00
05/10/05
Mileage 168,475
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Timing Belt replaced:
Got real serious here & replaced a slew of parts while the engine was "torn-down" so to speak.
13568-59045 Timing Belt
13540-50030 Tensioner
13503-0f010 Idler Bearing Left
13505-50022 Idler Bearing Right
Front Cover Gaskets
11319-50010
11329-50010
11346-50010
11347-50010 2 Total
11357-50010
90311-A0001 Front Crank Seal
90311-38036 Cam seals ( 2 Total )
Cooling:
16100-50022 Water Pump
90916-03084 Thermostat
16325-62010 Water Inlet, Gasket
16571-50021 Upper Radiator Hose
71538 Lower Radiator Hose (Dayco Part #)
Hayden Fan Clutch #2656
16307-50011 Bracket Support for Fan
Accessories:
Alternator Parts
90099-10192 Front Alt. Bearing
90099-10194 Rear Alt. Bearing
27370-75060 Brush & Holder
5060885 Serpentine Belt (Dayco Part #)
89255 Tensioner (Dayco Part #) (This part was modified)
89026 Pulley (Dayco Part #)
Drive Belt Pulley Bearing NTN 63011LL (A&W Bearing)
Electrical
19101-50020 Dist. Cap X 2
19102-50020 Rotor X 2
Spark Plugs
BKR6EIX-11 X 8
All items between these lines were part of TB maintenance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/14/05 mileage 171,211
Replaced Brake Lines w Stainless Steel
Rotex front pads installed
7/12/05
Leak found in Coolant Bypass line. 171,813
Toyota Sealant & O-ring
2 Rear Brake Light bulbs changed & check ground on Drivers side rear connection
7/20/05
Power Steering Flush & refill.
07/22/05 Transmission Fluid drain & refill.
2 qts. Toyota T IV
Due: Differential Lube change
09/21/05
Oil Change Castrol Syntec 174,615
10/13/05 Idle Air Control Valve failure
System bypassed and new fluid added.
10/21/05 New Power Steering Pump from: mmolini@lexusofroseville.net
877-744-0411; Hose rebuilt at Ables
18” Rims and Kumho Ecsta SPT KU31’s added. 175,812
Strut Tower brace installed.
11/02/05 Sewell 4 wheel alignment.
12/01/05 Daizen Sway Bar Bushings 177,401
Last edited by damon; 12-03-05 at 12:29 AM.
#5
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Ya I know it's old. The Woman I bought it from had it for about 8 years and had Lexus service it fairly normaly. It's good to hear the experience of others though. I don't drive the car hard at all unlike my M3. i just heard the stories of how amzing and reliable they are they are. I had also done alot of the list as posted that I left out. I was gonna get it freshly repainted and put on my 19" 3 pc Works with my new suspension but after all the repairs I had to do it will have to wait a few more months. that's ok though I will finish it soon and have the nicest looking UFC10 around.
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