Carbon Build Up

[Caron]

Hello,

I have a 2008 IS 250 and have had a terrible time with this car and the engine sputtering on me when stopped. I went to The dealership and at first they just changed a spark plug or something small. Then it kept doing it. September of last year they replaced the pistons, rings and etc. My engine keeps misfiring randomly. I keep going back to the dealership and they can't replicate it. Finally, a month ago they were able to replicate it. Since they already did the engine rebuild they did a top engine clean and then told me I would be responsible for future top engine cleans which should be done every 15k miles for carbon build up. Really?? I will have to pay to maintain a known problem?!? So I called lexus customer service and they have me a dealership credit for a future top engine clean. A week later after the cleaning I am stopped at a light and my engine sputters so bad I thought it might actually quit on me. It did it twice that day. I took the car back to the dealership on the following Monday and they could not replicate it. Surprise! It took them 6 months to replicate it the last time! The dealership then tells me I should pursue the lemon law because they can't do anything else as everything is new on the car but I continue to experience the misfires. I started the process, lexus gets my car and has a specialist do an inspection. They could not replicate it and determined the car to be in good working condition. I am beyond frustrated at this point and don't even want a lexus anymore. I live 45 mins from the dealership and this certified pre owned car that cost me 30k has given me more trouble than any other car I have ever owned. I am truly disappointed in lexus. Where do I go from here? My car still has a problem, a known problem and they are running me ragged trying to duplicate a random problem.

[tex2670]

They tell you that they have to replicate the problem, but what did they say about the misfire codes recorded by the ECU? Your car's computer keeps a log of certain issues--this would be one of them. If the ECU shows these misfire codes, they don't have to witness the problem first hand.

You said "September of last year". I don't know if you can pursue a lemon law claim on a car you have had for over a year. Is there any way to try another dealer?

[Caron]

They say there are no soft codes recorded. Even when they were able to replicate it there was no soft codes. They just say carbon build up is the problem. The dealership had me pursue the lemon law so I assume they know the rules. They did an inspection, if you can consider it that. They drove it 10 miles! I had been driving 280 miles after the top engine clean when it misfired again. It is just so random when it does it. Literally, it will run great and then you will stop at a red light and it with shutter then run rough. The next thing you know it's fine. This had been a problem and noted in the system since I bought the car. I have also had the water pump go out and something else odd. The car only has 84k miles on it and has had so much work done! They have since picked up the car and are working with it some more to see if they can replicate the problem and provide a resolution.

[tex2670]

They say there are no soft codes recorded. Even when they were able to replicate it there was no soft codes. They just say carbon build up is the problem. The dealership had me pursue the lemon law so I assume they know the rules. They did an inspection, if you can consider it that. They drove it 10 miles! I had been driving 280 miles after the top engine clean when it misfired again. It is just so random when it does it. Literally, it will run great and then you will stop at a red light and it with shutter then run rough. The next thing you know it's fine. This had been a problem and noted in the system since I bought the car. I have also had the water pump go out and something else odd. The car only has 84k miles on it and has had so much work done! They have since picked up the car and are working with it some more to see if they can replicate the problem and provide a resolution.

I just think you have a bad dealer. Once the CSP notices went out, I contacted the dealer. They warned me about replicating the issue, or reading the codes. But they had my car for about 2 hours before they called and said they were going to go ahead and take care of it--and I only had 47,000 miles at the time. What you are describing, sounds exactly like the issue.

You should do 2 things. First, check out the forums on Club Lexus too--there are just a lot more posters there, and you are likely to get some good info on those boards. There is a huge thread on the carbon build up.

Second, try going to Lexus corporate. They might be able to get it taken care of.