steviej

OOOPS, I missed that part. sorry. then I go with Alan, it may have something to do with the actuator valve. steviej

There is a TSB for the front brakes on the 2002-2003 ES. Original brake rotors and pads were mismatched material and over time the rotors warped and gave a vibration. The TSB replaces the pads and rotors with new that are supposed to be a better match. Did you ever have this TSB performed? I had to have it done when I hit 24,000 miles. No problem since then. How many miles on your clock? steviej

did Autozone actually read the codes? Your car is OBDI and most times Autozone will say they can't read OBDI cars. I'm guessing Autozone said: "99 times out of 100 it is cause by a faulty O2 sensor so lets just replace that". what color is the smoke? the rough idle points me in the direction of a lazy IACV (idle air control valve). A very common problem on the 1MZFE and predecesor. Do a search on idle valve and you will have tons or threads. steviej

1. check alldata for any reported TSBs. www.alldata.com nothing significant that the dealers have got a fix for. 2. if you are looking for a sports sedan keep looking. if you are looking for an ultra quiet luxury sedan at an economical price then look no farther. 3. depending on who you talk to the tranny issue is and is not a problem. you would have to drive a demo for yourself for a weekend to make any kind or judgement. Read the "stupid tranny thread" that is pinned above. steviej

yes they could say that and I know of instances where they have said that. generic O2 sensors could be the culprit, yes. you can get OEM O2 sensors on www.sparkplugs.com as an alternative. Swaping sensors may confirm the problem sensor. For example: If your code was P0135, then the O2 sensor at Bank 1 Sensor 1 is suspect. Swap this for the sensor at Bank 2 Sensor 1 (same place opposite side). Drive around for a while. If the CEL code changes to P0150, then the sensor is confirmed faulty. steviej

as for the squealing belts, tighten or replace them. reach in an twist the belt so you can see the underside or grooved side. It is it starting to crack or looks dry/brittle then they need to be replaced. Lexus recommends replacing the belts at 60k. I say every 45k, every three years or when they start to squeal. Belt dressings are a bandaid and as you found out, only last for a very very short time. Now you have junk on you belts and they still squeal. Replace the plugs at 60 if platinum, 90k if irridium or sooner if gas mileage drops dramatically. The front three are a piece of cake the back three are a PITA. I just had my done and even though it probably really didn't need it, the car does feel smoother. I was starting to get some minor surging. All gone since plug replacement, which I knew it would. in addtion to SK, please have you dad inform us as to why or what he thinks are the problems that develop after plug replacement. steviej

Mike, I know you have a 98, but I had to go look at my 02 factory manual This Lexus manual states: Apply seal packing to the oil pan as shown in the illustration. Seal packing Part No. 08226-00080 or equivalent. I guess toyota is not too picky here. In addtion, It also states in the next step: Install the oil pan with the 17 bolts and 2 nuts. Torque: 10 mm head 8 N m (82 kgf cm, 71 in lbf) 12 mm head 20 N m (199 kgf cm, 14 ft lbf) looks like they have gone up from the 20 in lbf. steviej

Tempers are starting to flair up and in several posts there have been rude derogatory comments made. Either you boys learn to play nice and discuss this subject on a mature level or I close the thread. signed, The Moderator

that's not it. what is circled in that pic 98es is something electrical. The PCV valve for you car is black or orangish (if plastic) and silver (if metal). It has a 90° angle in it. The larger end sticks right in to the valve cover and comes straight up for about 1/2-1 inch. At that point it makes a 90° angle. There should be a black hose connected to the angled part and there may be some kind of squeeze clip on the hose to keep it from slipping off the valve. As you stand facing the engine bay. Look along the back bank of cylinders (closest to the firewall) and on the passengers side (your left as you face the front of the car). You may have to move wires and other hoses out of the way to see. do a search and open the search to over a year. I remember a thread where someone posted very good pictures of the valve and location. steviej

I throw a bottle of Techron in the tank every other oil change so that would be every 10k miles. The best way to tell if an O2 sensor is lazy is too remove it and run an volt/ohm meter across it to see if you get readings within factory specs. There is a detailed procedure in the shop manuals. Most people used to go by the phrase, "when in doubt swap it out". However, O2 sensors are not $25 a piece anymore and most cars have 2-4 O2 sensors now. There's alot less swap'in goin on. steviej

never have, never will, and never had a problem. steviej

monarch, you forgot, or a Mobil 1 filter, or a K&N filter, or a WIX filter, or an Amsoil filter, etc, etc, etc. sj

I speculate you won't be able to afford one. :P :P just kidding Bren. steviej

Columns

look at the piece you have. The part number should be molded into it. there are two pieces, right and left, so you should be able to order the side you need. The black push pins go for about a buck a piece. steviej

when you register you can actaully request the a new copy of the owners manual and supplemental owners manual free. The maint. schedule is in the supplemental manual. steviej. ps, you can also do this over the phone at 1-800-25-LEXUS, option 4.

lexusk8, I must give you a list of my karate tournament dates so that CL will schedule a meet accordingly. I will be in Quebec that weekend. I do so hate missing these Lexus meets. steviej

I'll say. On my 02, I have only had to do the TSB work for door rattles and front brakes. The right front strut had to be replaced...covered by warranty...but I think that is attributable to a pothole. Oh yeah, and a buzzing noise up in the headliner. Some warranty velcro fixed that. steviej

Steve, I had my front brake pads and rotors replaced at 24k under the same TSB. 12k miles later they started doing the same thing as the mismatched pads and rotors did....heavy vibration upon braking from highway speeds. I complained to the dealer and they resurfaced all my rotors and wrote it off under warranty. Visually the rotors looked fine, too. I am coming up on 57k miles and not a problems since, especially no what you describe in your initial post. you might want to try that route before springing for new parts. steviej ps, what else are they doing on a $240 oil change. That is insane!!!

Steve, the projector headlights on the 05 ES, do they swivel like the RX or GS when you go around a corner to help illuminate where the road goes and not so much where you are pointed? steviej

I couldn't do that. I am only passing on to you what I have already read here. (sometimes it sucks to be honest). steviej

take a plastic 20oz soda bottle and cut off the top part about 2/3 to 3/4 the way up. Place it down under the filter to catch most of the oil that flows out of the filter. When you remove the filter, the oil flows into the bottle, then you can pull the bottle back up when the filter is empty and out of the way. steviej

this procedure of turning the key to on while holding in the trip button does not reset the ECU, as in engine control unit or electronic control unit. Lets not mix up our terminology. We are not talking the ECU that is reset by disconnecting the negative to the battery for a few minutes. We are simply reseting the "maintanence required indicator light". steviej

umm, what he said...............I think. I think it looks awesome. Unfortunately around my parts a drop and a front lip like that wouldn't last a day. The roads and potholes would eat it up like it was cardboard. steviej

don't do that, that will only reset your electronic compass to factory preset. :P steviej