JayD Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Hi Group: New Member question here, and thank God I found this group! I have a 92 LS 400 with a bit over 200K miles on it. No major problems thus far. I drove the car about 55 miles to work, then at the end of the day got back in and when i turned it on it seemed okay, but then there was very little power once i started moving. I would press on the gas and the car would only move very slowly and without much power. I stupidly drove it about half a mile, and then it started smoking from underneath. I immediately pulled over and had the car towed to my mechanic. My mechanic, who is great with cars in general, is not a Lexus specialist. He reported that there was too much gas in the system (he could smell it even coming out of the exhaust pipes!) and also that the electrical had seemed to shut down, and he could not get in to "talk" to the car's computer, or whatever it is. He suggested i tow it to someone who handles more japanese imports than he does. Any suggestions/recommendations? I had thought it was a transmission problem right off the bat, but hopefully I am wrong! Any help you could give would be great!! Thanks, Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayD Posted November 1, 2008 Author Share Posted November 1, 2008 If no one has any advice, I am hoping for possibly a good referral to someone in the sf bay area.... much thanks! Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billydpowell Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hay Jason, I have worked on cars for 40 years, and have never run into anything like that.... that may be why it is so quite on our post's.... just wanted you to know we are reading them, just dont have an answer... bdp If no one has any advice, I am hoping for possibly a good referral to someone in the sf bay area....much thanks! Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulls I Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 This exact same thing happened to me on my 1997 Chevy Picukup truck and it was the fuel pressure regulator. The exact symptoms. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayD Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 This exact same thing happened to me on my 1997 Chevy Picukup truck and it was the fuel pressure regulator.The exact symptoms. Check it out. Huh, that makes sense. Thank you very much for the responses, and I will check that out. Very much appreciated, Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayD Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Hi All: hope everyone had a great holiday season! Okay, it took me awhile, and the car sat for 5 weeks in the driveway, but I did have it checked by a good mechanic. He stated that the initial problem was that "the MAF sensor was defective." apparently these are not cheap... other problems were that the water pump is leaking (modestly) which it was not doing when i brought it in: pretty severe oil leaks, from the valve cover gasket. Also noted the fan belts were cracked... Does his diagnosis seem to answer my original question as far as what was wrong??? I am at the crossroads as far as whether to pull the trigger on this LExus (over 200K miles) or try to fix it one thing at a time. The MAF is supposedly about $750-850, and about an hour to install. I was thinking I might be able to run a used one down for a couple hundred? Then perhaps use a seal from autozone or the likes to try to fix the pump? the leak is not that bad, but I have no idea if this will work.... Then i could go after the oil leak... Trying to figure out if it is worth trying to get this done, or if I am hoping against hope. ALso curious if this diagnosis makes sense. Any help...including where to buy used Lexus parts...would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VBdenny Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Jason, I know exactly where you are on this. My car has a couple problems now but nothing major. The AC is out again which is okay in the winter. I have to replace the valve cover gaskets because they leak oil. My PS pump slowly loses fluid. I went under and did a look-see and can tell it is where the hoses are connected. A couple of the AC lights are out and I only see the clock on 100 degree days but that's okay. This car drives fantastic. I bought my wife an ES and took this and she isn't happy. I run the car hard up and down the eastern seaboard and it just drives perfectly. I put some BF Goodrich TA/V 225/60VR-15 on it last spring and they really improved the ride. I guess I need to take some time and read up on the stuff. Having been around here for awhile I know all the information and links are here. Time, motivation, parts, and maybe warmer weather are needed fo me to get going on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayD Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Jason, I know exactly where you are on this. My car has a couple problems now but nothing major. The AC is out again which is okay in the winter. I have to replace the valve cover gaskets because they leak oil. My PS pump slowly loses fluid. I went under and did a look-see and can tell it is where the hoses are connected. A couple of the AC lights are out and I only see the clock on 100 degree days but that's okay. This car drives fantastic. I bought my wife an ES and took this and she isn't happy. I run the car hard up and down the eastern seaboard and it just drives perfectly. I put some BF Goodrich TA/V 225/60VR-15 on it last spring and they really improved the ride. I guess I need to take some time and read up on the stuff. Having been around here for awhile I know all the information and links are here. Time, motivation, parts, and maybe warmer weather are needed fo me to get going on this. Thanks for your response. My understanding, and I could be wrong, is that the water pump is not a small deal. I was quoted a very high price. I was told it was because one has to take apart almost half the engine to get to the pump... To do the MAF, water pump, and oil leaks: $3,200... But what I am really hoping to know is if folks agree with the defective MAF Sensor diganosis...does this fit the symptoms I originally posted awhile ago? Thanks again! Jason (aka Jay) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 What codes are you getting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
90LS400Lexus Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Jason, I know exactly where you are on this. My car has a couple problems now but nothing major. The AC is out again which is okay in the winter. I have to replace the valve cover gaskets because they leak oil. My PS pump slowly loses fluid. I went under and did a look-see and can tell it is where the hoses are connected. A couple of the AC lights are out and I only see the clock on 100 degree days but that's okay. This car drives fantastic. I bought my wife an ES and took this and she isn't happy. I run the car hard up and down the eastern seaboard and it just drives perfectly. I put some BF Goodrich TA/V 225/60VR-15 on it last spring and they really improved the ride. I guess I need to take some time and read up on the stuff. Having been around here for awhile I know all the information and links are here. Time, motivation, parts, and maybe warmer weather are needed fo me to get going on this. VBD, I think our cars are twins literally - I know they are the same color (except mines a 1991), but I also have a valve cover gasket leak on the passenger side (minor, but you can smell the oil), leaking power steering fluid (if its below 50° outside), HVAC can only be seen if its above 90° and some of the lights are out on the HVAC buttons (the ones that let you see what button to push at night) but thankfully, my A/C still works. It has already been converted to the R134a system. Also, a rarity is that all of my instrument cluster lights work and needles still all illuminate properly. My main issue now is that my engine mounts are shot to crap - the car has a bad vibration from the engine. I think I may also need new front shocks and/or springs. My cars front suspension does not absorb bumps very well and the strut travel is minimal. I am giving this car to my mom, so it may be up to my dad to do all of this. I think $1000 may cover it since a friend I have father is going to do the labor at his house... he is a Toyota tech at one of the local Toyota dealers. To the OP - I suggest you replace the water pump and timing belt. Its likely not just the seal and its time consuming to get to and to get that far, you might as well replace the pump. Yes, you can get MAP used. My old 1990 had a used MAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
90LS400Lexus Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Jason, I know exactly where you are on this. My car has a couple problems now but nothing major. The AC is out again which is okay in the winter. I have to replace the valve cover gaskets because they leak oil. My PS pump slowly loses fluid. I went under and did a look-see and can tell it is where the hoses are connected. A couple of the AC lights are out and I only see the clock on 100 degree days but that's okay. This car drives fantastic. I bought my wife an ES and took this and she isn't happy. I run the car hard up and down the eastern seaboard and it just drives perfectly. I put some BF Goodrich TA/V 225/60VR-15 on it last spring and they really improved the ride. I guess I need to take some time and read up on the stuff. Having been around here for awhile I know all the information and links are here. Time, motivation, parts, and maybe warmer weather are needed fo me to get going on this. Thanks for your response. My understanding, and I could be wrong, is that the water pump is not a small deal. I was quoted a very high price. I was told it was because one has to take apart almost half the engine to get to the pump... To do the MAF, water pump, and oil leaks: $3,200... But what I am really hoping to know is if folks agree with the defective MAF Sensor diganosis...does this fit the symptoms I originally posted awhile ago? Thanks again! Jason (aka Jay) Get more quotes.... in 2003 my Lexus dealer was only going to charge $600 for the timing belt and the water pump was going to be like $100 more on my old 1990. My current LS400 already had it replaced just before I bought it. The PO paid $1500 for a new timing belt and water pump to a dealer in Atlanta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayD Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 What codes are you getting? I am not sure as it went to the mechanic. It has been reset, and the check engine light is off. However, it had gone on before the problem hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 What codes are you getting? I am not sure as it went to the mechanic. It has been reset, and the check engine light is off. However, it had gone on before the problem hit. If he's given you an estimate and reset the comp, he should have the codes. Get them from him and post them here so you can help us give you some feedback about your diagnosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93ls400walt Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 It seems a common issue is the coils (2) Primarily the drivers side coil. Gives lack of power and the un-burnt fuel would give you the odor. Others state the with the lack of power the is rough running. Can you add any other symptoms ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don corleone Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 yeah it sounds like the coil is causing your problem. check and make sure that the wire connected to it is secure. also check the distributor cap and rotor. these might need replacing also. you will also have red hot cats. be careful because you can destroy your exhaust system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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