EmvnP

My 98 gs400 has been running very good the past couple of years (mileage 390,000 lol) I had to get a smog check and I wasn’t worried about it until they told me it didn’t pass. So they “tried to fix” what they could to get it to pass. Long story short they ended up telling me that they don’t know what to do with the car and I should sell it. Basically gave up so I was obviously offended keeping in mind it was runnin like a champ before I took it to them. The mechanic even offered me $500 to take it off my hands and I did notice the rear tires had been in use of some rubber burning of some sort. (Mfs love to do donuts in cars that ain't theirs) So I just drove the car home and ever since I brought it back and doesn’t stay on and grey smoke comes out of the mufflers. I’m more than prepared to just replace the whole engine. I managed to find a used engine with 65,000 miles on it. Was hoping if anyone knows a shop that knows what they're doing when it comes to lexus engines.
Im located in Northern California Sacramento area but I’ve heard about bay area shops as well. I probably didn’t describe my situation very clearly either but any advice/ guidance is greatly appreciated it.

Jakerin

First try to figure out what’s wrong. Grey or white smoke from the exhaust usually means a blown head gasket or a cracked head. What’s the oil level and what does it look/smell like. Color? A valve job is far cheaper than an engine swap.

Geeze, I just reread your post. 390,000 miles? With those miles the motor was probably on its last legs and the shop bozos pushed it over the edge. The reason it didn’t pass smog was probably due to worn out emissions ‘stuff’ . Time to look for another car IMO.