upperb

kashi125: Thank you very much for your kind, prompt and informative response! Sensor is on its way!

Hi all. My 98 ES300 is showing a p1135 code on the local Advance Auto's Actron OBD scanner. It has 157K miles. Is this the O2 sensor? If so, how many are on my car? Would any of you know the part #? Thank you all very much in advance for any info you may give me.

wwest and steviej: Thank you very much for your prompt and helpful responses. The compressor is, in fact, kicking off and on. I will try replacing the expansion valve. How do I get to the expansion valve? I took the glovebox out and it looks pretty tight in there. Any guidance you might offer me to minimize the removal of unneccessary stuff would be greatly apreciated.

Hi all. I have a 1998 ES300. Recently, the air conditioning became erratic. At times, it simply won't blow cold air (its warm, instead---the fan is just fine). Other times, it works fine, then stops blowing cold air. I added some 134a. I turned the thermostat all the way to "COLD". Although the compressor is turning and the fan is on high, the air is not cold. Is/are there a valve(s) that may not be opening, preventing air from passing by the evaporator section? Any other thoughts? Thank you all very much in advance.

Toysrme: I do have the old engine and would be happy to send you what you need, free of charge. E-mail me your address.

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. As it turns out, my ES ate 2 exhaust valves (both in the same cylinder-no.5). When it did so, it bent the conecting rod and cracked the cylinder, causing it to fill the crankcase with coolant. Mind you, this didn't happen at 10,000 rpm. More like 2,500. Nor has this engine seen any form of abuse. It had seen regular oil changes with Pennzoil (I have the dealer service history) until I got the car with 65k on the clock and Mobil-1 (changed at 4.5k intervals) since then. After removing the bucket and shim from one of the dropped valves, close examination revealed that the bucket had been/became "soft." The spot on the bucket where the tip of the valve stem contacted it had a "cup" formed into it, causing the bucket to contact the retainer directly. The valve locks had no grooves left in them. Apparently, with the locks and retainer moving around, the male portions of the locks wore to nothing, causing the valve to drop. The other valve was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The local dealer adjusted the valves 25k ago. The engine had been making no strange noises prior to letting go. Absent noticing a "sudden" increase in valve lash, I don't know how one could see this coming, especially since it would require that the cam be removed to inspect the inside of the bucket. Just finished installing a used engine today. It runs great. Again, thanks to all who have given me your thoughts and advice. I hope that relating my experience can in some way be of help to others.

Toysrme: Thank you very much for your response. I'll be tearing into it this weekend and will let you know what I find.

Hi all. I am new to this forum and am hoping that you might be willing to share your thoughts regarding my 98 ES300. It has 101K on the clock. I am the second owner and have changed fluids religiously (including coolant). Last week, while driving to work, my car just quit. No noises, lights, etc. before doing so. I tried to restart it, but no-go. After drifting off to the side of the road, I tried again. Could tell the starter was under load, but would not turn over. Got out and lifted the hood. All appeared fine. Got it towed home. Thinking maybe I tossed a timing belt (even though I put one on 20K ago), I took a few bolts out from the front belt cover. Belt was intact. I then pulled the dipstick. The crankcase was way too full. Pulled the drain plug and out came lots of coolant. Because the engine won't budge either direction, and the timing belt is intact, I am thinking that the head gasket blew and that I spun a rod or main bearing. If so, I suppose its time to look for another engine. Am I on the right track? Thank you very much for any advice you might share with me.