Suzeroo Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Needed a valve replacement job - due 2 gummed up valves @ 28 kilometers = 17,500 miles. Dealer said there were 7 other IS in Ontario Canada, that were in the same boat. Our VSC light came on, then the engine light and then the engine would almost die. Had 2 turn it off and then restart it. The dealership didn't know how to fix it and eventually (after a month) sent parts to Toronto, to have the experts look at them. Apparently even tho we put in premium gas, they said it was due 2 dirty gasoline. Since the new valves were installed we've had no more problems - yet!!! We now use only the highest octane of 94, from Sunoco. Did any of u have this problem??? Suzeroo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicLX470 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 What kind of gas were you using for the first 17k miles? With the same report in your area it is probably crappy gas. If I were you I wouldn't go to Sunoco anymore.....i've never even heard of them. Try Shell, Texaco, or Chevron. (I use Shell V-Power) It's expensive but for a good reason. Not to end up where you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney07 Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 I was hoping it was your TIRE valves ;) Man, don't want to be using any dirty gas in you IS huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djspawn00 Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 What kind of gas were you using for the first 17k miles? With the same report in your area it is probably crappy gas. If I were you I wouldn't go to Sunoco anymore.....i've never even heard of them. Try Shell, Texaco, or Chevron. (I use Shell V-Power) It's expensive but for a good reason. Not to end up where you did. You can't find a Chevron or Texaco in the northeast... I doubt they have many in Canada... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy&Bonnie Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_raider Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Exactly. I call BS. 2 valves gummed up only? Last I checked, all fuel in Canada is virtually identical. This sounds more like bad batch of parts affecting certain ranges of vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzeroo Posted December 16, 2008 Author Share Posted December 16, 2008 What kind of gas were you using for the first 17k miles? With the same report in your area it is probably crappy gas. If I were you I wouldn't go to Sunoco anymore.....i've never even heard of them. Try Shell, Texaco, or Chevron. (I use Shell V-Power) It's expensive but for a good reason. Not to end up where you did. We used premium Esso gas, not sure what octane it is??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzeroo Posted December 16, 2008 Author Share Posted December 16, 2008 I use Berryman Chemtool B12 in my cars. I put a can in a full tank of fuel about every 2 or 3 months the tank full right before the oil change. I don't know if that would make any difference in this situation in Canada. I'd like to know what "gummed up valves" means exactly. "Dirty" fuel can cause problems, but I'm surprised it is the cause. The fuel would have to be seriously contaminated or badly formulated. Why only 2 valves out of 24??? The dealer replaced ALL the valves, not just 2. We had been using premium Shell b4 this problem. Now we r using Sunoco 94 octane. Not sure it should or would make such a big difference.... since premium gas should be clean enough, no matter what brand! The dealer NEVER suggested adding any cleaning solution 2 the gas, but it's certainly worth checking into. Suzeroo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzeroo Posted December 16, 2008 Author Share Posted December 16, 2008 Exactly. I call BS. 2 valves gummed up only? Last I checked, all fuel in Canada is virtually identical. This sounds more like bad batch of parts affecting certain ranges of vehicles. All the valves were replaced, not just 2. We were told that this problem has only affected IS250s and not IS350s. U could b right about bad batch of parts. That's why I think we will b trading this car in, a lot sooner than we anticipated. Sure makes u lose confidence in the Lexus brand tho. Our other Lexus, an ES300, never had any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzeroo Posted December 16, 2008 Author Share Posted December 16, 2008 I use Berryman Chemtool B12 in my cars. I put a can in a full tank of fuel about every 2 or 3 months the tank full right before the oil change. I don't know if that would make any difference in this situation in Canada. I'd like to know what "gummed up valves" means exactly. "Dirty" fuel can cause problems, but I'm surprised it is the cause. The fuel would have to be seriously contaminated or badly formulated. Why only 2 valves out of 24??? OOPS! I made a mistake - it was premium ESSO we used b4 the valve job, not Shell. Suzeroo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_raider Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Exactly. I call BS. 2 valves gummed up only? Last I checked, all fuel in Canada is virtually identical. This sounds more like bad batch of parts affecting certain ranges of vehicles. All the valves were replaced, not just 2. We were told that this problem has only affected IS250s and not IS350s. U could b right about bad batch of parts. That's why I think we will b trading this car in, a lot sooner than we anticipated. Sure makes u lose confidence in the Lexus brand tho. Our other Lexus, an ES300, never had any problems. This is suspect indeed. The 4gr-fse engine is not used in any other North American car. I believe some of the Japanese Toyota Crowns use it also. The only thing truly different about this engine is the swirl control induction mechanism which may be finally showing some glitches. Mind you if it was susceptible to valve deposits, we should have heard of it sooner. This is the third year of production for this engine, with some well over 60000km. I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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