kakarot

On my 98 ES300 I align the thermostat jiggle valve with the upper stud bolt, and insert the thermostat in the water inlet housing. HINT: The jiggle valve may be set within 15° of either side of the stud. I am pretty sure it would be the same with your as well.

Here are the cause of miss-fire start off with the simple and easy fix first. It could be any of these symptom: fuel injector, vacuum leak, weak gas pump and spark plug wire/spark plug, ignition coils, EGR, MAF ect.. Using the multi meter to check resistance is fine but it does not tell you if you have enough spark. Use a spark tester to test if you are getting the correct spark. When I did my spark test my cylinder 1 failed right away not enough spark and it was weak once I start to crank the engine. I have the same error code and it turn out to be a bad spark plug that has corrosion on please removed spark plug 1,3,4 and inspect for damage and corrosion. I aslo replace the ignition spark plug boot sometime those are worn, crack or the spring inside the boot is not good anymore that you can't tell. Use die-electric grease to help the rubber end to make good contact when installing spark plug wire/spark plug. After all that is done and you still experience the same issue move to the next symtom alway do the easiest first. I hope this will help you out let me know if you have others questions. Make sure you use OEM when replacing stuff.

1. Valve cover gasket (PITA to do the rear, front is easy) 2. Timing belt (You can do it yourself if you have the time/tools just need to follow the direction on the service repair. There are lot of how to with picture and direction would save you lots of $$.) http://www.clublexus.com/forums/es300-and-es330/472211-timing-belt-replacement-and-other-needed-parts.html http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/issue/article.aspx?contentid=97022 3. Rack and pinion is leaking (There is also a How to with picture and detail) http://www.clublexus.com/forums/suspension-and-brakes/442710-boots-leaking-steering-rack-rack-and-pinion-replacement-diy.html http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/103-3rd-4th-generation-1992-1996-1997-2001/351649-diy-rack-pinion-removal-install-flush-toe-lots-pics.html 4. Tune up (replace your spark plug wire and spark plug, air filter cabin filter brake, rotors etc..) 5. Flush the brake fluid (easy to do there are tons of video on youtube) 6. Power steering service (easy to do as well search youtube) http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/steering/psflush.html 7. Fuel injection service (youtube is your friend) 8. Rear axle is leaking (Again if you have the tools and can follow direction you can accomplished all these task) I don't have $$$ to take this to a mechanics I takle all these jobs by myself. I just like to learn and save $$$ by doing the service myself. I don't have any experience I start doing the repair myself by watching youtube and How to guide with picture. I think that if you put in the time and learn little by little you can gain experience in the long run and save $$$. That just my two cent.