Chrlttmega

Hello Guys - I'm a new Lexus LS460 owner. I've had the 460 LSL less than a week an something is seriously wrong with the engine. I was in a rush and based on overall condition, purchased car as cash buy from private seller. I have no clue what to do.

I sold my 2009 LS AWD w/ 175K miles and bought lower mileage 2007 460LSL w/ 133K last week but now my nightmare begins.

My first night out in the car over the weekend, enjoying my new car of course & all of sudden the VCS traction & check oil light blinking and large loss of power. Car was barely able to limp home. Took it straight to mechanic Monday and so far replaced 2 & 8 coil / spark plug per error codes. Not to mention the mechanic realized it was 4.5 quarts low on oil. F*my life. Excuse my French. So I got it back today & Its much better but NOT OK at all. Still loss of power and acceleration. Engine light still blinking. They said my 8th cylinder is still throwing a error so they think the 8 cyclinder may be blocked due to such low oil...We used a can of Seafoam w 1/2 tank premium gas in hopes it may clear the possible blocked cylinder.

Can someone please suggest a round about estimate $$$ for engine replacement for 2007 460LSL RWD ? Or any other possible diagnosis ideas. i just posted it on Craigslist for sale in Charlotte, NC as "mechanic special" an am prepared to take a loss. I'm beyond upset w the seller but more so w my own ignorance.
I have never not checked oil before ever. My last 460 warned me of low oil. A issue I initially had w my 2009 LS AWD but I switched to high mileage oil, the thick lube and never had any other issues with oil consumption. Not sure how it was so low this time w no warning lights !?!

Please help ! 2007 460LSL : Still experiencing Loss in Power. Rough Idle, Check Engine light blinking; traction light on & VSC message... Thank you for any help !

jdanielca

sorry buddy. That’s tough.never rush through these things, I paid someone to check the car my car was fine before Lexus took it apart..what about flushing it with comma xflow, or liqui molly engine flush following the instructions, check oil if you have metal in there, use x flow/liqui molly put in 5w40 blue extreme and hope for the best.

actually you are supposed to check your oil each time you fill up or about once a week. So that we can catch any potential issues it doesn’t warn until it’s too freaking late tbh, by the time it warms you… you already have a problem so I don’t see that as being useful … maybe to prevent car stopping midway and causing an accident but not useful in saving you any money.

miket000

Chrittmega, on short trips, under an hour, I don't believe being 4 quarts low on oil would do damage. However, I'm not willing to try it out . Of course if you drive for hours straight I suppose the oil could get too hot / fail. That is strange you didn't have a low oil level warning message. Maybe your mechanic was mistaken with how low on oil it was. Is your dipstick overfilled now?

Seeing as you didn't have a low oil level message or an oil light illuminated ( no oil pressure); I'd guess your engine internally is probably fine, aside from burning some oil.

I agree with jdanielca, I'd put some good oil in it. Plus replace and inspect the filter.

I'd be curios to know the compression of your cylinder #8. If the compression is good perhaps a fuel injector is to blame. I wouldn't write off the car until you know the compression. It would seem your mechanic is already leaning toward an injector if he is recommending seafoam and premium gas. There are plenty of posts on here about clogged injectors in 460's. Replacing a few injectors is much cheaper than an engine.

Chrlttmega

Thank you so much ! I greatly appreciate your help & time. Definitely a tough lesson an a costly one but its a wake up call. I will be sure to check my oil regularly now. I will keep a rag & oil in the trunk so I have no excuses.

I am also going to get with a trusted friend and see if we can try this recommendation you've made this weekend. Hoping for the best. Ill keep you updated.
I paid $11.2K for the car. Really hoping we can get this diagnosed bc I'm worried I may cause further damage driving it w the check engine light blinking ?

Chrlttmega

Yes this was a very short trip. I had only driven 10 miles to my location an then only a few blocks uptown when the car got really rough and all the lights going.

Now, once I'm up in speed on the highway you almost cant tell there's any issue besides the lights. But otherwise it seems like its not finding the gear when im starting off an i dont want to put my foot in it so I let it put up to speed.. Maybe thats what a misfire feels like. There is also a humming/vibrating noise under my glove compartment. Seems to be coming from behind the engine. Sounds kinda like the fan but I haven't had any overheating. I also noticed a fuel smell from inside the car now that I'm thinking back from Day 1. No low oil light but the VCS may have taken priority code not sure.

Mech said they had to add 4.5 quarts to bring back up to full. I never had issues with my last ls460 even when the oil was low. I attached the receipt for $2k worth work done 6 months ago including spark plugs (makes me wonder if they were oem ? ) valve cover gasket cleaning, etc.
honestly think the previous owner may have been using cheap oil and gas for too long Thank you guys for all your help !!! Truly. Have a Blessed Day

reciept.pdf

Anfanger

Check the torque on all spark plugs. There is a chance it is either not tight enough or stripped. Fuel smell is probably due to leaking fuel lines near high pressure fuel pumps.

Chrlttmega

Thank you everyone !! I am going to take all these helpful tools to my mechanic today and will continue to post updates and keep checking here for any additional recommendations. ClubLexus Forum has been so very helpful

zyeyli

I have a 2008 LS460, 166k miles, has been losing engine oil 1qt after driving about 1000 miles. No engine lights at this point. My machanic says it's more feasible to keep checking and adding oil every 1000 miles than finding out the causes, and I have been doing it over a year now. I wonder if I shall try to change the PCV Valve? Any inputs, experience, or suggestions are appreciated

ALK

Changing the PCV will not stop oil consumption. It will control the value more accurately.

Anfanger

One of ways to tell if the PCV valve contributes to oil consumption is to check the intake manifold. If you see a lot of oil inside of the manifold, PCV is one of reasons for the oil consumption.

zyeyli

Thank you everyone !! I am going to take all these helpful suggestions to my mechanic.

Doublebase

Dumb question, can you just return the car? Sounds like you have stuck rings on cylinder eight and that’s a big deal (obviously). This guy knew about this and he still sold it to you...does your state have a lemon law? Or if it can’t pass state vehicle inspection, can it be returned? Because it shouldn’t pass with a check engine light.

Oil build up in the intake manifold is a sure sign of engine blow by (piston rings). I wouldn’t damn the PCV, and besides, it’s very hard to get to on the LS460...I’m not even sure it’s a valve, it could be a fixed orifice type PCV.

Otherwise, I would think you could get a used engine for 2-3 thousand and probably $1,500 labor? I’d try to get my money back even if I had to hire a lawyer...$11,000 grand is a lot of money, we’re not talking $100 bucks here. Sorry you’re going through this!

rodathome

Hi, you already learned your lesson, but everyone should read this thread. I've just bought my 2008 L600hL RSR. It has a full Lexus history 48000 miles and only 120 miles since last Lexus service. It took me 3 years to find one this good. This is not something you should rush. My RR Silver Wraith 2, i had it in for a 48 hour check with a specialist before I bought it (cost £250). It was the 4th one I had checked over. Best £1000 I ever spent. You have no comeback over a private buyer. It's a bit like getting married. If you're not sure, the answer is no. Good luck with it sir.

Chrlttmega

I had the same issue when I first got my 2009 LS460 AWD with 170K. Low Oil light would come on an I was losing the same amount.. Say 1 qt per 1000 miles.

My old school mechanic swears by thicker oil in older high mileage cars. I started using 5w-30 / 10w-40 and no more issues with oil consumption and thats even with me hot rodding around town ! Please try switching from full synthetic and check your results weekly like the wise gentlemen suggested. May have saved me on this 07 I recently took a L on.

Follow Up - I traded in the 07 460 LSL 133K with "Engine Issues". We could not diagnose why engine was losing power & putting every time you hit gas. Cylinder 8 continued throwing code after coil and spark plug replacement.

I am now the proud owner of a 2014 Lexus ES 350. Ride is not as smooth as the air suspension and comfort of the 460. But Ill save in gas. The newer technology is there. Under the hood looks so much for feasible to any mechanic : ) The newer the cars get the more the quality seems to fade but this 350 has restored some hope.

Love your Lexus : Quality Safety Performance