GS300Fan

I had moisture on my passenger floorboard (2001 GS) and figured it was a clogged A/C drain line. Dealer called and told me I had a cracked case around the evaporator core. First of all, how does the case crack without any impact? I guess it's possible, but wouldn't it take some force to crack it?

Second of all, it's very expensive to replace (10-12 hrs labor), but another repair shop suggested it could be repaired by just sealing the crack with an apoxy (epoxy?) sealant that is actually stronger than the plastic case itself.

Has anyone heard of a cracked case, or know how it could happen?

Can anyone shed light onto what my best alternative is (excluding the obvious cost savings)?

Let's be realistic, almost everyone in this forum will say good things about their Lexus. I bought my 2001 Pre-Owned GS300 a month ago and can't wait until I get to drive it again on my way home tonight. Smooth, quiet, sharp looking, and prestigous.

The only negative about the Lexus brand is that you will pay a little more for labor/parts when you have a problem arise (but you won't pay as much for parts as you do for M-Benz parts).

If you have the cash, they are solid cars and well worth the money spent. A Lexus LS430 is next on my list

Are you sure they didn't send you the engine air filter, instead of the cabin air filter? I'm sure they'll take care of you if they screwed up and refund your money, including shipping. <_<

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I'm afraid they did send me the engine filter, but when I called them he swore up and down that I had the correct part # to match the cabin air filter. They said I could send it back for a full refund, no problem. But that still leaves me without a cabin air filter. I called my local Toyota dealer, and they don't even carry a cabin air filter for a 2001 Lexus GS300.

I don't know who posted the previous message, but I'm not sure a Toyota cabin air filter is the same as a Lexus cabin air filter, seeing as they didn't even carry a Lexus cabin filter. They told me to call the Lexus dealer

I think 60 months is the longest they will extend credit on any car loan. I recently purchased a '01 GS300 with a 5 yr note at 5.5% interest and my payments are at $456 (this includes a 4 yr dealer warranty that covers just about any mechanical issue that might arise)

go to any car website (cars.com; edmunds.com; autotrader.com; etc.) and they will give you a loan calculator for you to figure you monthly payment. However, if you want payments at $370/month, you will have a hard time finding a 01 GS430 in that price range. Most of them start in the low $20,000 range, and a 5 yr note at 5.5% interest will start you around $430/month

My thoughts are after 36 months or so, the value of my car will exceed the value of my loan, so if you want to hold the car for more than 3 years, you should come out ahead when you sell it.

By the way, the Lexus GS models rock. I am thoroughly enjoying mine

Correction, I ordered the filter from toyotaandlexusparts.com, not elautoparts.com as stated in my previous post

elautoparts.com actually has one listed for $13.73 in stock, plus shipping. helluva lot cheaper than the $35.07 I spent at toyotaandlexusparts.com for the wrong part

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

I just ordered a cabin filter from elautoparts.com, and what they sent me was 2 inches too thick for my 2001 GS300. And that is the only filter they carry!

I called them and asked if they shipped me the right part and they said it matched the part # for a 2001 GS. I told him it wasn't close to fitting my cabin compartment. The picture on their website didn't even match what they sent me.

Anyone else know where to buy a cabin filter for less than $50+? I live in the Dallas area and the only place to find one is at the Lexus dealer

I have a 2001 GS that I just purchased, and like the RDS feature. But everytime I select RDS, my original preset stations are no longer there. I realize the system automatically searches for the stations, but how the hell do I get my presets to play the stations that I want???

FYI, I do not believe this is an upgraded Levinson system, or that it even matters if I do or not......it's just frustrating

Please help

When in auto recirculation mode (2 of the three lights on the recirc. button on) the car will automatically select recirculation mode upon starting. After a short time, it should change to fresh air automatically. This is a feature to either clear excess stale air from the cabin and/or prevent taking in your own exhaust as you back out of a garage for instance.

If you have manually selected fresh air (one light, not auto mode) before you parked the car, it should start in that mode. I'm 99.9% sure, but I will verify tomorrow.

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I have a 2001 GS300 and it always defaults back to recirculate mode when I start the car. It's supposed to do that, your filter will take care of things in recirc mode. However, hit the button again and 2 lights will apear, putting it in auto recirc. It will switch over when necessary.

One important thing to remember, when using your A/C on a humid day, remember to manually switch to outside air a few minutes before you shut your car off. This will help dry any moisture in the evaporator core and keep your core from building up mildew.....mildew = bad odor

where is the least exspensive place to buy one?

I tried all the large auto parts stores and no one carried a Lexus cabin filter. They all recommended me to my local Lexus dealer. Cost is right around $50

Had a stock rear spoiler installed by the dealer's "after market company". But the next day I noticed a rattling sound coming from the back, and realized it was from the rear spoiler.

I called the guy who installed it and reported the problem, and he said the wiring case for the brake light might be hitting the inside wall of the spoiler. He recommended I open the trunk and tap on the spoiler, which will cause the wiring to "settle".

Has anyone had this problem before, and what can you recommend?

Alway use outside air and you'll have a dry, non smelling system. <_<

Great advice, and the same advice given to me by the Lexus Service Mgr. After running the A/C, remeber to bring in dry air from the outside for 5 minutes before you shut the car off. This will dry the evaporator and it's core and reduce the chance of further buildup.

I picked up my car yesterday and the smell is gone. The dealer blasted the core with Frigi Fresh and should take care of the problem. But it helps if you use the A/C correctly and keep as much moisture out of the system

Thanks to those who replied, hope this info helps others.

Thanks for the reply, I just heard back from the Lexus service dept and they said it is likely mildew built up in the evaporator core or the hoses. They are going drill a hole in the case and flush out the core, using a anti-bacterial foam. He said it was 60-70% effective in removing the odor for at least 12 months. The problem usually occurs when owner's neglect to change the cabin filter (such as the case with the previous owner, who didn't change in once in 4 yrs according to the dealer service records), or when they do not properly use the correct air circulation mode during certain climates. They are going to recommend to me when to use a specific mode to help maintain a dry evaporator core and reduce the chance of future moisture build up. Moisture build up = odor!!!

The Frigi Fresh is a good alternative should the smell return. I will certainly buy a can of it.

I recently purchased a 2001 GS300...love everything about the car, except for the fowl odor when the A/C is on. Smells like a damp, mildew laced cellar. I replaced the cabin filter behind the glove box, and even had a detail shop spray the air freshener through the intake for 15 minutes, but that only lasted 2 days.

I have read elsewhere (other forums) that other people experience the same problem. How can I get rid of this smell? I am taking it to the local Lexus dealer tmrw morning, but really have no idea what to expect. Hopefully they can locate the source.

Can anyone shed any light on my situation, other than remove the dead animal?