jncooper

I have a 1998 ES-300 107,000 miles. I live in Pittsburh (bad hilly roads). Can I go any further without changing the Timing Belt, the Water Pump and the Spark Plugs? I' ve been told that a mechanic can determine the condition of the pump without removing. The car runs fine and passes PA emmisions test. Is there a approximate mileage when the TB fails? Is there any symptons ie rough acceleration of the engine before failure?

My trac off light is staying ON I can turn it off using the switch on the lower right side under the dash when the car is not running but the key is turned, but it comes back on immediately when the car starts. It first came on when I skidded on some wet leaves Any Ideas?!?!

NON-INTERFERNECE, I will put it another way, any ES with a V6 before 1999 is non-interference. Thanks for the good infomation . If the car runs good why do I need to tune-up the engine? Both O2 sensors have been repaced & we use the good fuel grade. The mileage is excellent. It was my understanding the plugs were good for 100,000. The airfilter & oil was change regularly.

If your timing belt goes... you will gain a new car :) I waited until 145,000 before I changed mine but I would not do it again- it is worth the peace of mind knowing it won't destroy your engine just did mine today (106K), but on the 98 es300 the timing belt can break and it won't do any damage to your engine. if you search these forums there are threads about how this generation of toyotas/lexus engines don't really get hurt if the belt breaks. you'd be stranded, but it shouldn't damage your engine. I called Lexus in Pittsburgh yesterday & they assured me that my ES-300 3.0 WAS NOT a INTERFERENCE ENGINE and that I could go to 90,0000 miles. (Thanks for help.)

My 1998 ES300 has 82,000 miles. It has a 3.0 Liter 200 HP engine four cam 24-valve V6 engine with eletronic fuel injection. (according to original window sticker). Is this an interference engine? How long till I need to replace belts? It has never been tuned-up but runs good include mileage? We use middle grade gas. What s the consequence of not tuning it up now? What will I gain? :)

I need new rear struts on my 98 ES-300. The car has original Mac Pherson wheel independent type. I understand that the ES-300 came with two types. My standard equip & installed options(Window Sticker List): 4 wheel Independent Mac Pherson Strut type Suspension with Gas Pressurized Shock absobers. Is this the more expensive type. Can Monroe shocks be used in lieu of Mac Phearson. What is the part number? The car has 75000 miles. Also the car has never been tuned up but appears to run well. When should the timing belt be replaced?

Thanks for your recomendations & assistance. jncooper

:( December of 1993 a check engine light appeared. We took our 1998 ES-300 to a Toyota dealer who charged $300 to replace the Bank One Sensor One (oxygen) mileage 58,527. In July the car stalled after starting & we took it firestone & were told the altenator was bad. We didn't believe it & took the car which was not longer stalling. We were not told the OEM code. Last week another check engine light appeared. We took the car to a part store, who did a free OEM check. The printout was a P0136 which we were told was the Bank One Sensor Two(oxygen) mileage 66,000. The car has never been tuned up. Firestone pulled one plug & said it was ok. My questions: Can I buy the sensor & install it myself? The sensor replaced by Toyota was $136 plus labor. Will a tune-up solve my problems? We had a lot of rain(Jeanne)? I put a injector additive in the gas tank about 3 months earlier. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

I am a new member. When I went to use our ES300 today- it stalled. I ran it around the block but it stalled each time I took my foot off the accelerator. The car has 62000 miles. Never been tune-up. Had the oxygen senso replaced three months ago, other than that no other problems. Battery is original. Airfilter has been replaced with oxygen sensor, Should I take the car to have it tune-up? or have them just fix the problem? Can I take to Goodyear or Toyota or schould I take to Lexus dealer? Please e-mail me at cooperjn@hotmail.com. I need to make a decision soon. John Cooper