Hello lexus lovers,

I have a 95 ls400 with 222K miles, i was driving on the xway about 2 weeks ago,the ls just cut off, pulled over immediately,lifted the hood, the ls400
was knocking and pinging like crazy, drove across the street to a local oil shop, they showed me oil sludge everywhere in the engine, had the oil change and power wash done to no avail, I was told by a lexus rep that the engine needs to be rebuilt, boy am i sick, do any of you lexus lovers have any suggestions on what to do or have it fixed, what cost does a rebuilt engine cost, the dealership said $6000 for labor along. sorry for the long message, just a little dissappointed.

dj

 

If you're not mechanically inclined, good luck with the cost bro. Instead of taking it to the dealer, you can also buy an engine from ebay and pay to swap it out. Man that sucks cause my engine has 202K on it. Hopefully yours just needs a few adjustments and some TLC. Again, good luck!

 

what is the maintenance history with your LS? if it's had regular oil changes, it should not be sludged.

are you saying that the oil change shop actually took apart your engine and showed you sludge built up inside the motor? or did they just point out some oil that has leaked around the engine bay?

you should try to clarify your problem. i doubt any lexus dealership will pull your motor out and rebuild it. they would just replace the existing motor with a block that has already been rebuilt. either way, $6000 for labor alone (60 hrs @ $100/hr) seems pretty steep.

some 95 LS owners have experienced cut-off because of a problem with the main ecu i think. maybe somebody can chime in and comment if their motor was pinging/knocking too before replacing the defective ecu.

 

a used 98 LS motor (the vvt-i motor ie, upgrade) and a 98+ ecu should run you no more than 3gs, so if the shop was charging you that price for the 95 motor (markup, ripoff, etc...) then their STILL charging you 3k just for an install.

go buy a jdm 95-97 1uz, have an independant swap it in, be happy with 2gs worth of motor.

 

That 6 grand sounds like a ripoff to me too... I would'nt be surprised if the guy who took your engin apart might've also "manufactured" some of the sludge themselves....

 

Take it somewhere else for a second opinion.

I'd look at getting a used replacement engine from an auto salvage yard before I'd spend the $$ to get it rebuilt.

 

i know in san diego the lexus junk yard, will install a 1st gen LS tranny and motor for about 1300 dollars

 

Try seafoam first.

 

what's seafoam? pardon my ignorance. :}

 

Hello guys thank for the respond,

Sorry guys for not clarifing the exact events of the Ls,

here it is,

My oil pressure light has come on stayed on (not oil add light)
The guy that checked my car out works for Lexus, he looked at the car
drove it and said the motor had sludge builtup and would have to be repaired
he went on and on saying that I would need to have the valve,lifters relined
repaired and a numbers of things done, can you guys help me located a motor for the ls, he said it's not the ecu, it has a horrible knocking sound
I want to fix it.


dj

 

http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

There are many threads about it in many forums around clublexus.

 

And you drove how long with the oil pressure light on?

The bottom end is toast. Rod bearings, main bearings...

 

regular maintenance should have prevented this.
Plus, using the good stuff not the cheap-o brands can help extend the life of your car too.

The sludge thing to me sounds bogus.

Everyone is right about getting a second opinion.

Driving around with an oil pressure light on is slow death on the engine.
Buy a motor and look around for competent folks that can install it for you.

 

Hello guys,

I didn't drive the ls with the oil pressure light on at all, just to pull off of the freeway and to the oil shop, appr(2 miles altogether)
do you guys know where I can get a rebuilt engine for the ls?I'm open to all suggestions, I will even drive to pick it up, I hate to see my poor baby stranded like this, you guys do understand.

dj

 

Aliga-- do a search for posts by his name- - he has one for a good price with low miles-- I would jump on it-- It would be a good time to rent an engine lift and learn all about an a/c vacuum pump, and the good ole' fun of motor swappin-- front yard style--