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Wow! It looks like you got a lot of work to do in that car so forget about not spending money. The bad fuel consumption is a sign that something is wrong with your emission systems or your engine. Also, a lot of white smoke, either head gasket is blown and coolant and oil is mixing together. Its easy to see that your car will need some money if you really want to hold on to it. Get a mechanic check it and ask him how much, and then if the quote is more than the value of your car then its time to sell your car for parts or junk it and get another es300 in better condition. Sorry brother, not to depress you or anything but sometimes you have to let go.... :(

Hi Firewalker! Nice Post. I am just curious because I have never used clay bar before, do you rub it into the paint or how does this work? Is it like a bar of soap? Please elaborate. Thanks, I really want my es300 94 model to look real shiny, I used carnauba wax after a real good car wash, but not clay bar. Do you think I should try the clay bar after a good wash first? Does it really make a difference?

I am having exactly the same problem. My engine mount was damaged, but after have engine mount changed, problem remains, did you find out the reason and get it fixed? anyone can help? thanks! could be transmission mount

I think if you look closely at your radiator hose and follow it to where theres a oval looking thing that bolts to the engine then there is your thermostat. Follow your upper radiator hose to where it meets the engine. okay here is the pic of the part with the tubing.

I think if you look closely at your radiator hose and follow it to where theres a oval looking thing that bolts to the engine then there is your thermostat. Follow your upper radiator hose to where it meets the engine.

I have a 94 also, you should check your motor mounts or transmission mounts with that park to reverse issue jerking. Also check your valve cover gaskets for seepage or leaks. The dogbone mount is real easy to replace. You can buy a dog bone mount at pep boys for $ 26.00.

That sounds really cheap. I think TOYOTA will use the same timing belt as the lexus dealer, but this price will probably be just for the timing belt replacement, not the water pump which is practical to replace while doing timing belt replacement.

Well, first look at the engine that you are buying, it will have a raised marking on it that says 1mzfe and if its from a camry just make sure its the same engine as your original, which is a V6, I believe some camrys are 4 cylinders. It will cost you more than $ 600-$ 700 because of the labor in installation. I really feel for you because its a 98 and already you need a new engine. It looks like someone skipped out on all the oil changes or something. I suspect the timing belt broke while it was being driven and the engine seized. Youre probably looking at $ 2500 for the engine removal, engine and engine installation. Maybe you should just buy another es300.

Boy, I'm seeing in triple vision Still don't know what "That" is??? If my memory serves me right Go Karts have stiff suspension (if they have any at all) and corner very flat. :whistles: Bloxxlex, I dont know about you but my 230,000 miles es300's suspension is pretty incredible, there was a day that I had a flat rear tire and as I just woke up to take the kids to school, I drove the car all the way to 2 schools and back and didnt notice that my rear tire was totally flat, that is how good my suspension is still. Also, before I drove to the school my eldest son was calling me to tell me my rear left tire was totally flat. Do that on a benz? I dont think so. I know, I own a benz also. I would like to post here too that the benz and my es300 is a totally different drive feel. WHen you drive the es300 it feels feather like in weight but the benz , you feel that solid weight of the car. Its totally different. Just my opinion.

Welcome to the forum voddoo!!! I have a 94 es300 with 230k miles and my rear valve cover gasket is leaking oil and me and my mechanic buddy is replacing it this Saturday. That oil burning smell is the oil leaking into the exhaust pipe right after the y pipe which is directly below the rear valve cover. Use a mirror and check the back of the rear valve cover for oil leaks. Its funny because mine need struts too. Anyway, it does drive different from my ML430 and that HOnda Accord I used to have. ITs smooth and it feels real light. Different.

get the ES!!!! Accords are a bore to drive. Trust me. I had one. LOL He bought the Accord. I went over to his house tonight to take a look. Drove the car, and while better than the Impala, I think it is still a downgrade in just about everything compared to my Camry. Judging by how picky he was with the other used cars we looked at, I expected this one to be in excellent condition, especially with 66K miles. That could not have been farther from the truth. Had I not known earlier, I would have guessed the car had at least twice that many miles. The car was owned by a smoker, and the interior shows. The exterior of the car has quite a few scratches, a 2-inch ding in the passenger door, and a large dent right in the front of the bumper. Has no maintenance records and is due for a timing belt change, but he seems to think that is not important. The belt will probably have to break for him to finally realize what a big deal that actually is. Main reason I thought he wouldn't like the ES I looked at earlier is because it had a couple scratches on the trunk lid, but I think this car is actually in worse condition. Worst part is, he paid $200 more than what Blue Book says the car is worth. Their values seem high to me anyway. But, it has LOW MILES. (rolls eyes) Needless to say, he is a good friend. It was just frustrating to go to all the work to try and help him find something good, but he just got too anxious and bought a piece of crap. Man, yeah, I know how u feel dude. That timing belt will set him off at least $ 600.00 at the dealership. I had a Honda Accord and it was pretty reliable but it didnt turn any heads you know what i mean? Also with all the dents you said your friend's Honda Accord will just be another old Honda. My ES has 230k miles now but it still accelerates like a Mother*##$%. LOL. Dont worry though, your friend will learn his lesson and his taste in cars will grow up. Trust me.

get the ES!!!! Accords are a bore to drive. Trust me. I had one. LOL

To take out the rear valve cover you have to remove the air cleaner housing, throttle body and also the maf and intake pipe.

So I should get an aftermarket Header , and have him still trick the O2 Sensors? Your car will run faster but it will not pass smog check. Also it might run loud as heck. It depends on what state you are in.

So, this morning I started the car and was doing a routine check, saw a little bit of smoke coming from the Y-pipe of the exhaust, this Y pipe coming from the exhaust manifolds, and the top of the Y-pipe looked moist and smoke was coming from that moisture. Does anyone here know which part above this Y-pipe that could be leaking some kind of fluid and it falls on top of the Y-pipe and it smokes in the morning? Could it be the rear valve cover gasket leaking oil and it drops down on the Y-pipe? Or exhaust manifold gaskets? Or is it the Y-pipe itself? Anyone?

Wow, so things are really different in Texas. Over here my friends es300 had a stem seal problem and dealer quoted 2400$ to fix, independent said 1400$. So thats like 1000$ difference.

Wow! These are hard choices, considering all these cars you stated have real excellent reliability. Ok, heres my opinion on why buy the lexus. This is my opinion, my point of view, I am sure some people will disagree but heck, if this helps its all good. 1. Acura TL- looks too technical, like 80% technology, 20% aesthetics, but I used to drive Honda, and it was reliable as heck. Boring to drive though, it was an Accord. I guess the S2000 is more exciting to drive. 2. Nissan Maxima - Fast and smooth and reliable but no shock appeal. 3. 2000 Infinity I30 - Simulated Wood Trim. Mechanically related to the Maxima. Dont get me wrong,the Infiniti M class and G class are awesome luxury vehicles. 4. 2001 ES300 - real wood grain trim, glass has coating that traps 90% of UV rays ( good for summer days ), build quality is excellent, unibody frame made 30% more rigid than earlier models, crash resistance is upgraded from earlier models. And for me is more beautiful than Acura TL, Nissan Maxima or the I30. Even the cupholders were moved to a better position than later models. ALso interchangeability with most Toyota Camry parts which are so easy to get at the junkyard. Plus it bears the LEXUS mark, setting fear to MBZ owners broken down on the freeway LOL. I have a 2000 MBZ ML430 but to be honest,I drive the my es300 more. Plus this forum is the best forum I have ever joined. Cmon man, when you go to a bar and someone asks you what u drive, dont u think Lexus will sound more powerful than saying Acura, Maxima or Infiniti? This is my observations, so its still up to you if you want to get the es or not. Good Luck.

WoW!! Thats terrible. My advice would be go to your local auto pick up parts ( Junkyard) and get the grey panel. Or might as well get that whole door so you dont have to install it, just install the door. Good luck.

I had a honda accord that did this, after a while it wouldnt start at all, in my case it was the starter. Replaced the starter and everything was fine. So it could be your starter going south. Just my opinion.

I would suggest you take your lexus to a independent toyota mechanic and have them look at the valve cover gaskets, if it really has a leak or not. It would be 50% cheaper if done with a independent toyota mechanic. What symptoms did your car have besides the check engine light that made the dealer check for your valve cover gasket?

Thanks for the abundant replies !!! LOL I like cheese.

Thanks for the abundant replies !!! LOL

1.You can buy the upper dog bone mount at autozone for $ 26.00 and do that yourself with a socket wrench, very easy. 2. The transmission leak, get it done asap. 3. COnsidering the mileage, you should just change the whole strut, this will come with new rubber boots that your mechanic said is ripped. Hope this helps.

The great LEXUCAN posted a extensive diy on the needles. Someone said you just pull the needles out but Im not sure, I tired that at the junkyad and the needles broke. It was from a LS. Maybe different style. I live 15 minutes from the junk yard and they got some es300's there and also camrys which has the same engine and mechanical parts as the es300.

Hi SRVCM, nice avatar! I was wondering if youd sell a fellow forum member the needles. I also have a 94 and needles are totally dead. Pls!!!!! Im in California.