yaupoman

Just curious to see if my mechanic is charging reasonal fees. My 1998 ES300' engine light came on. My mechanic charged $96 for computer analysis including fuel pressure and engine vacume check. code P0135 was found. ND air /fuel sensor costed $250 and labor $89 to install. Total $435. New front rotor $175 and $$135 to install. And, $200 to flush the transmission. Service done in Metro Washingtion DC area. Thanks.

98 ES 300, 80 k. Now that the overnight temp is 40 - 50, the car shifts rough (it's kind of lurching forward) in the morning maybe just once when the car shifts from either 2nd to third or from third to forth. Once the engine is warmed up, then there is no problem. Is this normal or something serious forthcoming?

The dealer chnaged the transmission fluid at 65k. My other mechanic says the transmission fluid is dark as if no change of fluid occured and he recommended a transmission flush for $200. The dealer told me that only 4 to 5 quarts of fluid is being replaced when they chang the fluid. Do I need a flush?

Thanks.

Any recommendations for a good mechanic in the Rockville, Maryland Metro DC area? I have a 98 ES300. Current mechanic qouted $1,000 to replace front struts and mounts. Thanks.

Sounds like the classic bad strut mount syndrome to me.  However, before going to the expense of replacing parts, have your shop lube the bump stops. 

I know it sounds like a simplistic approach, but it eliminated the noise for me AFTER new strut mounts, struts, and spring cushions!

Please report back!

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Thanks for the info. Where's the bump stops? It this something I can do? Thanks.

I have a 98 ES300 with 80k mi. I notied noises coming from the front right fender area. It soulds like something is loose knocking around especially going over bumps. It's especially noticable in cold weather. So in the summer, no problem. In the winter, noise noise noise. Now, I have the noise on the left side as well. Mechanic couldn't tell. Any idea. Thanks. Roger

Dealer told me I need the 60k tune-up and the timing belt replaced cause it's 6 years old. The user manual says you need to replace the timing belt at 90K miles. Do I have to replace the timing belt now? Thanks.

Hello, I have a 98 300es. I have noises coming from the front. It started on the right hand side. It's like a rattling noise as if something is lose. I jiggle the cable that runs into the side panel / fender place and it make a similar noise. Now the right side has the same noise except it's less lound and less frequent. Oh, the noise seems to deminish when the car is warmed up. Any idea? Thanks.

I was looking at a price list from a Lexus dealer. It runs about $330 to replace brake pads for front or back. Then I call Sears, they claim they can do it for around $160, still cheaper - around $100 when cheaper pads are use. Would it make sense to have the brakes done at Sear? Brakes are brakes, right?

I am surprised to hear that the tranny will die after 100 to 150k. Can anyone add to that. I had a 94 Camry XLE V6 that had 170k mi on it and it ran fine before someone totaled it. I also have a Camry SE V6 that has 125k mi on it and it's still going strong. I believe the Lexus and the Camry V6 have the same engine.

WOO! Maybe it's a blessing to own an 98. Its seem like they are going backward in designing the vvti to cause more damage when the timing belt breaks. Then, I am no engineer. Anyone care to explain.

No, I am not sure there's a code. I should read the user manual again before I opened my big mouth. I know I have a code for the system in an Carmry SE V6. Thanks.

steviej. Thans for the infor re vvti. Are you saying that a timing belt break in a 99 es 300 will ruin the engine?

I search but couldn't find a match. I did not get the radio security code from the previous owner (98 ES300). What do I reset the radio in case the power get disconnected. Thanks. B)

What is 'vvti'. Thanks.

A Toyota dealer told that it would service Lexus as well. Would it be cheaper for the Toyota dealer do the work vs the Lexus dealer? Would the quality be the same? They are essentially Camrys. I bought a touch-up paint from the Toyota dealer for $7.20 and the Lexus dealer qouted me $10. The dealers are one block apart. Reading some of your comments re repair costs at Lexus dealers, I want to stay away from those guys as much as possible. Thanks.

Amanda, thanks for the info. How many years/miles does the extended warrantly cover now?

What extended warranty? I have a 98 ES300 with 39 k mi on it. I thought iy is out of the warrant period. Thanks.

98 ES300 Gray (antique sage)

Bought a month ago. Had 38k miles. Car runs well.

Had to replace the oil pan for $400 cause the thread of the recepticle part of the oil plug was stripped. (first I heard of such thing. My mechanic told me it's kind of common, especially for Hondas. Anyone agreed? Or I got ripped off).

Dive belt squealed. Tightened belts for $50.

Former owner used Mobile One. Switched back to regular oil with BG MOA.

Insurance $426 for six months. Age 53 in Washington DC. ;)

1998 ES300. I notice when I trun on the air conditioning, the two fans off the radiators will engage and start. It kind of make a loud noise. Is it normal? The airconditioning works fine I think. It usually starts with a blast of air at higher spped and then it settles down to a lower speed. Alos, when I step on the gas, the fan speeds up as well, is this normal? Thanks.

How big a deal is it if the cause are the pulleys? Would it cost me an arm and a leg? Thanks.

Well, the noise is back again although it's much less noisy and the noise goes away in 20 to 30 second or so. Maybe I should have replaced the belt but my mechanic did not sugget it so I thouth it was fine. Could it be another reason or problem that would make that noise? To check on the noise, I would start the engine, hear the noise and than I would trun the engine off. Sometimes, when I turn off the engine, the noise sounds to me that it comes from some metal parts (as iif they need lubricant) --- the pulley? I hope it's not something more serious than changing the belts. Any suggestions? Thanks. :(

I was going to say. I thought my windows (98 ES300) bought two weeks ago)are kind of slow as well. They work like there is not enough traction / power to get the windows up and down. Are they made / designed that way?

Thank you gentlemen. I guess I am overreacting. I had a 94 Camry XLE V6 and I still have a Carmy SE V6 and I didn't think much about the oil. Now I got the Lexus which is almost like the V6s and I am going nuts. Got to take a chill pill.

Thanks for the info. Can I switch back to Mobile One the next time I change the oil? Would it be harmful to switch back and forth? May be I should just stay with the regular oil? Decision, decision, decision.

BG stands for BG Products, Inc. A company out of Wichita, KS. I don't know what MOA stands for. It is a 11 oz can of stuff that you add to the old. Supposedly, it will keep the engine clean by preventing deposit build-up in critical areas of the engine. Costs $12. Thanks for checking.