ChikuLexus

there is a small piece of my lower b pillar missing. it almost looks like someone just neatly cut out a rectangular piece of the bottom. i was in the car wash few wks ago and a couple small sprays of water got in, also car has lotta wind noise on highway now, which it never did before. kind of heartbreaking for a lexus, and one that was as tomblike as this before. any ideas what to do?

got my 2000 ES300 a year ago with 98,000 miles on it for $11,000. The price might have been a bit high, but it was from a family member who i knew had taken the car in for maintenance to the dealer very very regularly, probably a little too frequently even (i think oil changes, brake jobs, and routine stuff is better handled by the more economical shops). it ran perfectly until a couple of days ago. the starter is shot. sears is quoting me $270 for a new one, i don't think that includes installation. so i am taking a breather from driving this weekend while i look for cheaper options. anyone know if it's possible to buy a starter at auto zone and self-install? full disclosure though: i am an idiot, so please offer your opinion keeping that in mind.

Yes! What you wrote about carburetors and the switchover to unleaded reminds me of the problems I used to have in the early 90s with my 1981 Oldsmobile Omega, it too would continue to run after the ignition was shut off and key removed. Which was annoying as much of the time it would not start! I agree with you, why it would happen on a ES 300 which is neither carbureted nor manufactured anywhere near the transition from leaded to unleaded is bizarre. Anyway, at this point, the car is not able to be jumped off so I am not sure what to do. I have AAA and they have some battery service that I will try first; however today really left me soured on AAA, their main garage for the city was located literally ONE street over from where I was and they still took one hour to get to me! and the driver was shady as all get-out, trying to get me to have the car towed to either the lexus dealer or the lexus specialty shop nearby, and i know the dealer is crooked, and while i don't know too much about the lexus specialty shop, and they are nice enough there, i do know they NEVER have business, maybe because Lexuses are such great cars and nobody needs it. I hope this problem with my car doesn't cost too much to fix because i am a broke s.o.b. and if my car costs to much to upkeep, at some point i may have to sell it and get a several yr old honda civic or toyo corolla which would break my heart because i think the 97-01 es 300 is all around the best car ever made, the interior is a gem of efficiency and ergonomics, the exterior is clean and uncluttered and simple, the transmission is sweet, performance is good, and i have yet to see a car that is such a paragon of balance and utility. exactly the right size, the right specs....a car for the ages and a true classic in my view. i also like the 02-06 camry as it is the next best thing but it lacks this car's elegance and pizzazz and is also a bit on the large side.

and once again, since i am unable to edit previous posts, i have to add another post because i forgot to mention another thing. earlier today, when i parked and took the key out of the ignition, the engine kept running somewhat, although much rougher and making terrible sounds. i put the key back and turned in and the engine resumed fully running with fewer bad sounds and some rattling. took the key out and it continued to run but weaker and with the bad sounds. put the key back in and it resumed running. took the key out a third time and it finally shut down. i forgot to mention this is the beginning, my bad, this is probably the most diagnostic and conclusive thing that happened and hopefully could set off a light bulb in one of ya'lls experienced heads.

I tried to edit the above, but it wouldn't let me, so let me just add this fact: for the last few weeks or so, (by the way I live in Maine which has been very cold for the last two months since I have been here, but now now), when I turn the key in ignition, there is initially no response. I turn the key and there is just silence the first few tries, then on the 4th or 5th try the engine turns and on the seventh or eighth try it starts. I chalked it up to the cold weather since warm starts were much easier, usually starting right away. Then I have this problem today so I don't know anymore. Some reading on the internet indicates it could be the timing belt. I am pretty sure that was replaced about thirty thousand miles ago but can't say for sure. I have been getting it serviced at Firestone and lately they don't seem to do much and just hand the car back. The local Lexus dealer here are a bunch of criminals, I took it in a year ago for some warranty work and they didn't address that at all and found some boogeyman issues instead which they charged me several hundred dollars for, so that's why I was taking it to Firestone.

Hello everyone, I was wondering if you could help me with a problem with my 2000 ES 300 with 135,000 miles on it. I was driving down the road today, and the instrument panel dimmed and a low hum started, kind of a low key buzz. It was kind of the sound a bee makes when it gets real close to your ear. Then the instrument panel started to conk out and dash lights blinked a time or two then everything went dead. It didn't take a charge from either a passer-by's jumper cables or the little box that AAA carries around to charge batteries. There was some minor, about half-power lighting up of some lights on the dash and slight turning over of the engine, but nothing beyond that. The car has always run very well, butter smooth actually, and I have not had this kind of problem. So I was wondering if anyone here could advise on what the problem could be? Thank you for any input.

Well, I'm fixin to find out since I am headed out to go get it. It was running beautifully at all times before, that was never the issue, it was the miserable fuel economy. i just know it's going to start breaking down now. which is exactly the reason i don't like fighting and feuding with people who have my car. they said with an ominous tone in an email that they will note on the bill that i declined tranny flush and rear brakes. why do i get the feeling that my car will have NO rear brakes today.

Well, I called the dealer at 8 am this morning and asked they stop any further elective work on the car. Even though I authorized the work at 3 30 pm yesterday, they say ALL the work is already finished, even though their resident liar service rep said yesterday the work would be done late day today. Reason: their mechanic stayed until 10 PM to finish this job so he could start the next one. Exactly what kind of goddamn idiot do they think I am? First they call me everyday for for four days asking for the maintenance records saying they can't do anything until they receive that and then approval from their district manager. Then on the fifth day, the work is suddenly miraculously completed. To top it off, this morning in our conversation, the service manager said that engine work had been done before and valves were incorrectly installed, hence the sludge, and that technically this should not have been warranty work but they were ignoring that fact since they already received approval for it. This was a veiled threat......he's basically saying that they are capable of playing very dirty. There has been no engine work and the car has been well-maintained, the proof is there in the receipts. Why do I get the feeling that I am being blackmailed for a thousand dollars and I strongly sense there is now a lot more mechanical breakdown after having been in the hands of these evil *BLEEP*s. This is messed up, lies after lies after lies........and they think they can run roughshod over me.......maybe they can. But I shouldn't take it lying down. Who can I call or email at Lexus to deal with this thing? I am surprised, when I took the car in, the person I dealt with and who I've not spoken to since, seemed very reasonable and gave no hint at what was to come. I wasn't even so upset yesterday except at myself for being suckered into authorizing this thousand-dollar boondoggle, but now I am just *BLEEP*ed that they think they can repeatedly lie to me and change their stories constantly and get away with it. If anyone can offer advice, I would appreciate it.

Yeah, that's crazy. $6000 and the work was supposedly done in a day, well six days according to their newly minted lies. I know Civics break down and all, but a new one won't for several years, and I really am steamed at my slipping up today and authorizing this thousand-dollar job. Part of it I'm a medical student in a very busy part of the term and when they keep bugging me and describing these doomsday scenarios, it worries me and that's why I gave in. But I am broke and counting on my student loan coming in tomorrow, which it won't because tomorrow there is a blizzard. The following is the text of the letter I am going to send the service manager: Dear X, While I appreciate your service department's undertaking of the warranty work on my car, I am troubled by a few things: I took the car in last Wednesday, and as recently as yesterday, I was told the work had not begun due to not having received the maintenance records. Then today, I was informed by Gary that the work had been ongoing since last Wednesday, even though he himself numerous times had told me they couldn't proceed with the work until receiving the maintenance records. Assuming you received them yesterday, that means the engine sludge was cleared up in less than a day? I was under the impression this was a lengthy and extensive job. Secondly, Gary said last week that the car needed a new timing belt and transmission flush at a cost of $400 to me, but today he amended that to say that it needed both of those and a gasket and water pump as well, and that the total would be a thousand dollars. Third, please stop the elective work that is unrelated to the warranty and engine sludge. While I don't doubt your department's veracity in describing the problems and risks associated therein, I am a medical student here and don't have the kind of money at this time for these repairs. I will pay for whatever work has been done that I authorized, but given that the authorization was given at 3:30 pm today, leaving only little more than an hour in the workday, I can't imagine that too much headway was made in the elective work. Again, I apologize for the reversal, but fear led me to hastily authorize the elective work which I am not in a position at this time to finance. To reiterate, whatever elective work you have done regarding the 4 items mentioned which were discovered after I took the car in, I will pay for of course but I ask in good faith that you cease any further work that is not covered by warranty. Sincerely, X That's the gist of it. I am going to wait a bit before sending it so hopefully someone here can give feedback. I really need to learn not to be swayed by fear and clever sales pitches. Normally I am not, but living as I do in the north pole, virtually, and having to drive a ton every day, I really didn't want to take a chance.

Yeah, I know you guys are right. Unfortunately, I couldn't find this website earlier in the day or week when I needed to. The method I had been using to locate it didn't work. Finally I found it typing in my screen name, but by that time i had already agreed to the work. I asked the guy if the work could wait and he said I would be spending a lot more money as right now everything is taken apart and this would be the best time. Talking about leaking water pump, and this and that, and I gave in. I think part of the reason for my acquiescing was the guilt over having such a big job done for free. Also having a loaner brand new es 330 for the last week, when my own es 300 is worth not even 10k. i felt the loaner was waaaay out of proportion to my car. all this is beside the point. the people are lying. he tells me last friday and even yesterday that they can't do anything until the service receipts have been faxed and then today says they have been working on the car since last wednesday when i took it in. somewhere along the way in life i went from confrontational when necessary to excessively timid and polite. i think a big part of it is i know they hold probably most of the cards. they probably could find a loophole out of fixing the engine sludge. plus, what's to stop them from purposely !Removed! up my car if i don't agree to their blackmail? mind you, i still don't know they received the service records, and i don't even know that the records are adequate. my dad was driving the car the last six years, and he's the type who changed the oil two months back to back out of forgetfulness but probably went several months or even eight-nine months without changing it at times. i simply don't know. maybe i should ask firestone for a copy of the service records. right now, i am just really mad at myself for giving in and agreeing to the thousand dollar repair job. and frankly, i want to just sell the car and buy a honda civic. i love es300s, but my present station in life doesn't allow at all for massive repair bills. i just let myself be swayed by the argument of the service rep that it would be more costly to do it later as someone would have to take it apart again, and why not do it now while it's already apart. but firestone would have done it all for half the price, and my experience is that they do good work. what to do, too late now, i already ok'd the work. but i thank you good folks for your input. wish i had had the bright idea to type my screen name into the search engine a little bit sooner than i did. i would be a thousand bucks better off. worst part is, my student loan BETTER come in tomorrow or i am REALLY screwed. (it is supposed to be wired to me tomorrow or thursday) They asked you for proof of oil changes and maintenance... did they provide you with proof that they have fixed your sludge?? I'd be wanting to see some kind of paperwork, replaced parts... anything... to show that they've done more than just a good superficial clean and shine to get rid of whatever sludge you can see. Their word is OK but... hard proof is all that matters. I'm a bit paranoid when it comes to this kind of thing too. You shouldn't feel grateful - you don't owe them anything. They aren't your friends, it's a business to them. They are trying to keep you as a customer, not do you favors. Tell them to drop the attitude. Who cares if they're feelings are hurt? It's your money, if you don't feel right about what they are telling you... go elsewhere and be sure they know why. tck...

Long story short: last week I was told by Lexus that I should elect to replace the timing belt and have a transmission flush at a cost of $400. This seemed reasonable to me. Today I was told I need the above two repairs plus a new water pump and gasket. All total $1000. The second thing is that as recently as yesterday they were waiting on my proof of oil changes, maintenance through fax from the place where I took the car for such things. Then today, they just call with the above info and say they are done fixing the sludge and that they've been working on that from day one, six days back when I gave the car. I thought it involved a virtual rebuilding or at the least is an extensive job that takes weeks. Something about all this doesn't sit well with me. Or am I just being paranoid? I also don't like the fact that the service rep kept underscoring the point that all these repairs cost $7000 total, including the 4 mentioned at top, and Lexus is picking up $6k of it, he kept saying this in a way to imply that a thousand bucks is chump change and I should be happy I am only getting stuck with such a small bill. I'm grateful to Lexus for this repair but on the other hand, if they have a warranty out for it, and it has produced a large number of complaints plus the fact that my car has been well-maintained, I don't really see the amazing favor they did me.

I simply told them the truth. And of course backed it up with tons of Firestone receipts of oil changes and quite a few other things. Oil changes being the key documents of course. Frankly, I don't know why it sludged. It's been maintained very well. In fact, a couple of times at least, by mistake it has had back-to-back oil changes in consecutive months, literally. That's a consequence of multiple drivers within a family, not always aware of recent maintenance. And the ES 330 is SWEET. It's going to be hard to get back in the ancient ES, as I now think of it.

Glad I found this board. It was so helpful in understanding my problem and remedying it. The local Lexus dealer is fixing it under warranty, after receiving maintenance records, and gave me a new ES 330 as a loaner. They're also charging only about $250 to replace timing belt and $175 for a transmission flush, both of which seem very reasonable to me. Again, thank you all for your input. Without that, I would still be putting $35 into my comparatively ancient ES every three days.

Actually, I spent the last several hours reading about this "engine sludge" business and I do not believe that is the problem. Reason being: 1. In all the complaints about the sludge, I didn't read once about it causing excessive gas consumption. It seems to cause engine failure. The Lexus dealer I went to said the sludge was interfering with the valve operation and timing. Then again, these are the same geniuses who said I needed a new $700 CD changer when the only problem was I was inserting the CDs in the changer right side up, instead of upside down. 2. The car runs beautifully. It could not run any more flawlessly than it does. If it were full of sludge as the Lexus dealer claims, I don't believe this would be the case. 3. All indications are that the engine is simply "running rich", taking in more gasoline than it can efficiently consume and losing the rest to evaporation. I know very little about the mechanics of engines and whatnot, but having read hundreds of posts, literally, about this engine sludge stuff, I really don't think the car would be running so well if that were it. So, can anyone run down the causes of excessive gas consumption for me? I drive a lot every day, not by choice, and with these gas prices and awful mileage, I believe I am paying something like $12-$14 a DAY just to drive around 70 miles roundtrip.

Thank you, that was pretty much the sort of direction I needed to be pointed in. I did the search and it yielded quite a lot of information. Apparently, this clumping or "sludge" problem is not alien to the ES 300. It appears that I need to be able to provide documentation of regular oil changes dating back several years. I don't know that I can do that, but I am fairly certain my dad took the car regularly to Firestone for oil changes, so I guess I will contact them to see if they can pull it up in their system. I wish the Lexus dealer in Alabama where I took it for a diagnostic would have told me about this warranty so I could have just spoken to the Firestone right there which was the one who has serviced the car. Then again, those idiots at the Lexus dealer in Alabama are the same people who wanted $700 to put in a new CD changer as the old one apparently wasn't working, until I noticed the CDs needed to be inserted in the changer upside down. Yeah, careless of me not to note that, but downright incompetent of the so-called service department there not to realize that. Or I guess they just wanted to rip me off $700, in which case they should have at least replaced my perfectly fine CD changer with a screwed one. So, anyway, I guess I have a lead to pursue as far as the sludging. Hopefully, Lexus will do this on warranty, because my car has been serviced well and exhibits the flawless performance to prove that.

Hello, I would really appreciate if anyone could offer advice. I have a 2000 Lexus ES 300, with 100,000 miles on it (actually it will turn 100k in the next couple of days). Car is excellent in every way and runs very well, but has one major problem. Per Lexus dealer, it has clumps of oil in the engine which is interfering with the valve operation and timing. This is causing it to go about 300 miles on a tank of gas, rather than the 400 it should be going per mileage specs. Lexus dealer wanted $5500 to fix the problem, which of course is out of question. Firestone says they aren't equipped to handle such a problem. That's where the car has been serviced usually. I don't know what to do. I love the car, it represents my vision of the perfect car. Nothing flashy or flamboyant about it, isn't loaded to the gills or anything, isn't the fastest or most comfortable car around, but a great little car and everything works together with a beautiful harmony and simple elegance to it. Can anyone give ideas as to how to address this engine problem? Thanks.