1991 Lexus Ls 400 Power Loss

[Kevo]

My beautiful wife put regular unleaded in our ls 400. The next day had loss if power after 2 days it will not run at all. I noticed the passenger side of the exhaust gets cherry red when we try to start it. I did a full tune up but it changed nothing. Any one please help..

[13IS250C]

Sounds more to me like bad gas, not just low octane. I put low octane in my Z28 once and all it did was ping.

Welcome to LOC!

[pj8708]

The "cherry red" points to the catalytic converter. It is probably just bad timing that the two would happen simultaneously.

Over time, the CAT, as it's called, can become blocked and the exhaust from the engine is unable to pass through. This creates a substanial back pressure to the engine and can result in what your experiancing. Over the years and miles driven, any car may eventuaity have the CAT replaced.

It is not cheap. The convertor is plated with platinum in order to set up the chemical reaction that removes polutants from the exhaust. You may get a price from your dealer or a reputable mechanic.

Paul