kashi125

Thanks for the response. The mechanic knows because he checked the pressure on the low and high side and came to the conclusion that its a bad expansion valve based on that. Also, after reading these forums, my car's symptoms seem similar to the other people who had expansion valve problem. It cools sometimes, sometimes doesn't. Today when the temperature was relatively low, my AC was working fine as if nothing was wrong. Then in the afternoon, no more cold air... Yes, the total price includes freon recharge. I am also thinking about skipping the compressor replacement. Since the AC was working today, the compressor must be OK...

I assume that power tools have some sort of torque specification/limit, but how do you tighten a nut or bolt to a specific torque if you are using manual tools? In the manual it says everywhere "Connections should not be torqued tighter than the specified torque." and then each connection has a specified torque such as Torque: 10 N·m (100 kgf·cm, 7 ft·lbf). How do you know you are staying within these limits?

These prices are from an independent mechanic--Lexus dealer wants $800 labor. I didn't talk to a toyota dealership yet...but I am assuming it would be somewhere in between $600 and $800....

I am in HOT Houston, TX and my A/C recently started blowing warm air. Brought it to the mechanic hoping that it would be a cheap recharge--but he told me that there is NO vacuum in the system and said that it is my expansion valve. It is stuck open or something... Now the expansion valve is $61 but he wants $600 labor to replace it (said he has to take the entire dash apart). I looked at FSM but didn't see any details on how to do this myself. Does anyone have any experience? I have a 97 ES300. Also, the mechanic recommended replacing the drier and compressor because he said the compressor is making noise. So it looks like: Compressor: $454 Expansion Valve: $61 Drier: $30 Labor: $600 ----------- Total = $1145 to get my cold air back! Any ideas? Can I not replace the compressor and hope the expansion valve fixes the problem? Will a bad compressor cause a bad expansion valve? Any help on changing the expansion valve myself will be greatly appreciated.

I am posting this in hopes that it will save others some money. I have a 97 ES300 with ~140K miles and I recently had the check engine light come on. Had the codes read at Autozone for free and they were P0402 and P1411. Since the car idled fine, I thought it might be the EGR position sensor. Checked the resistance of the sensor and it was 8.5 kOhm. According to Lexus FSM it should be between 1.5 - 4.3 kOhm. Replaced the sensor ($30 at park place lexus) and no more CEL! Note: When you take off the connector to the sensor, you will see three pins. For this diagnostic, resistance is measured between the right most and the middle pin.

I recently moved to Seattle area. I need the front and rear struts/mounts plus brakes replaced on my 97 Lexus ES 300. Does anyone have recommendations for a good independent mechanic? Thanks!

Wow. You guys are great! Thank you. I am never going to buy another car now. Lexus only for me from now on :)

Thank you for the information. I also hope to get a lot more miles from it since it has been maintained very well in the past and I intend to do the same. I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who had a sludge problem and got it fixed without changing the entire engine? Any ideas how much it would cost to have the mechanic check out if there is a sludge problem?

Hi, I bought a 1997 Lexus ES300 about two weeks ago with 120,000 miles on it. This is my first lexus ever, and I am extremely happy with it. I have been reading this forum and you guys are very helpful. Thank you! Some details about my lexus before I ask the question: The car runs very smooth. No problems at all. Its hard to believe it has 120K miles on it. I just came back from a 800 mile trip and averaged 28.4 miles/gal. Ok my question is: When I start the car in the morning (cold weather) the engine runs at about 1200 RPM for a while and smoke comes out of the exhaust and there is a burning oil smell from the exhaust. I am aware of the sludge problem in this year lexus. I checked the oil cap and there is a little sludge there but the oil dip stick has very clean oil on it with no signs of sludge. Once the engine warms up, the RPM is about 750, no smoke from exhaust, and very little smell. Should I be worried about sludge problem? What is the easiest/cheapest way to find out? Sorry for the long post. I am very excited about my lexus and my next vehicle will definitely be a lexus. I will appreciate your help in this matter. FYI: The previous owner had the following changed at 100K miles (he gave me receipts): Spark plugs and wires, timing belt, all fluids flushed, new brakes, new tires.