kentchoi

I bought a used sc400 1993 with 60000 miles on it. Carfax is clean and the 60000 mile service was done at a dealership at 58,000 miles one year ago(almost exactly) with no problems detected...got the car yesterday and went to get it smogged at a friends auto repair shop...did not pass!!! HC levels 10 times normal and his head technician said a new engine is NEEDED!!! I was floored(shocked) I called the dealer near my home asap and told them the situation and they said that they have NEVER had a lexus V8 go bad at 60,000 miles Oil was regularly changed and I have detailed service records from the previous owner....In fact the last service was the major 60000 mile service and it was done one year ago!!! only 2300 miles driven since then!!! So the dealer has the car now and will check it out to see what is wrong...here is the main problem...

1) When you turn on the engine and it idles, there is a faint noise that comes from inside the engine compartment when the belts turn...like a constant "shook, shook, shook" but not extremely loud can notice it only when idling and when driving slow speeds...at higher speeds engine runs smooth...

2) when the smog was being done and the engine was revved high, oil seems to spurt out from BOTH exhaust pipes!!!

3) Smoke comes out when the car runs, expecially when you step on the gas when accelerating...

4) ANY EXPERT OPINIONS OUT THERE or anyone have the same problem???

PLEASE HELP PLEASE HELP!!! I am worried about this situation...The service manager at the dealership said that he's seen a similar problem once before when some power steering fluid leaked into the system somehow and it came out the pipes and was mistaken for engine oil!!!

I've checked a few forums and others have mentioned "faulty valve seals" I have no idea what these are and how much they might cost to fix...also..if oil has infiltrated the exhaust can I assume the catalytic converter is totally shot??? and what does it cost to fix that?


PLEASE HELP I have NO REPLIES IN MY OTHER 2 POSTINGS AND I AM DESPERATE FOR EXPERT ADVICE!!!

THANK YOU