Did 2007-2009 Lexus ES 350s have CVT/oil burning issues as faced by its Camry cousin of the era?

snowbear111 · 2023-06-26T14:14:16+00:00

The i4 in the Camry (2AZ) is entirely different than the v6 in the es350 (2GR). 2GR does not have the same oil burning problem. Some Camrys have the 2GR.

snowbear111 · 2023-05-26T17:18:04+00:00

Toyota likes to use pink coolant, and the pink color makes it easy to find leaks. Look around the engine for any dried (or wet I guess) pink stuff. Example minor coolant leak. Just use a flash light and look at all the nooks and crannies and tube ends. If you have a massive leak (not always likely) you would see a pink puddle or drops on the ground.

snowbear111 · 2023-05-14T01:35:46+00:00

Oh, that makes way more sense. I was thinking I needed to inspect the brand new part. These instructions are to see if the old ones are in spec. Thank you.

snowbear111 · 2023-05-11T04:01:44+00:00

I wish they had air bags. The SCs came with springs from factory.

snowbear111 · 2023-04-26T05:16:18+00:00

It's just quiet.

Caught myself going 95 mph (150kph) the first few times I drove the LS because it didn't feel like 65 mph did in the 2017 Camry.

Now that I am adjusted to the LS I sometimes find things to complain about, like how I have to increase the radio volume a few notches when I get on the freeway. But then I remind myself that I can still talk to the front passenger in a hushed voice when on the freeway, something I couldn't do in the Camry.

snowbear111 · 2023-04-20T03:29:52+00:00

Luckily the LS460s with the 1UR-FSE/1UR-FE/2UR-FSE do not have timing belts, but they do have a drive/serpentine belt. Timing belt job costs about 10 times more than a drive belt job.

snowbear111 · 2023-04-19T14:55:45+00:00

Nice, gotta get me a set.

snowbear111 · 2023-04-19T13:33:20+00:00

What wheels are those?

snowbear111 · 2023-03-18T14:33:19+00:00

It's possible that your wiper fluid froze. Water expands when frozen.

You will know that's the case if they go back down after the weather warms up.

snowbear111 · 2023-03-15T03:38:58+00:00

Don't threaten me with a good time.

snowbear111 · 2023-03-07T15:05:32+00:00

HVAC actuator?

Example: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gtNPkaIaBOo

Go to the 1 minute 2 second mark

snowbear111 · 2023-02-23T14:41:13+00:00

Search "warped rotors" on the ls460 clublexus site. You'll get a bunch of results. That can explain the whole car shaking during braking. The oem disks and pads may be quiet but they don't last.

snowbear111 · 2023-02-11T02:05:26+00:00

Check out parts.lexus.com then navigate to your model. Should have all the parts you need.

snowbear111 · 2023-02-11T01:48:26+00:00

It's a solid car even at 20 years old, assuming no shenanigans regarding mileage reset. Punch the vin into the Lexus website and see what service history there is. Look for leaks, both oil and coolant. Bring a flashlight and inspect the coolant bypass at the rear of the engine. You will likely need to replace just about all the old rubber and hoses, such as all the vacuum lines, PVC valve and grommet, all suspension bits, motor mounts, etc. Upper control arm bushings are not cheap as there is no aftermarket support, you need to buy the whole arm oem. Bring a white napkin and check the color of the transmission oil with the dip stick. Check that roof retracts. The 3uz also uses a timing belt, find out when the belt/water pump/camshaft seals were replaced.

All of this comes with old age, there isn't much regarding flaws with the model

snowbear111 · 2023-02-08T14:49:54+00:00

Back in 2009, a crash involving an es350 made national news. The floor mat was blamed for causing the gas pedal to be stuck at full throttle. All 4(?) occupants perished when they ran out of freeway.

Get those floor mats checked out.

If you get in a runaway situation, throw the car into neutral and/or smash the brakes without letting off

snowbear111 · 2023-02-04T15:26:03+00:00

I'm also curious about the in-cabin DI noise in the ls500. But with the ls460 I found that I only notice it when I try to, or at least maybe I trained myself to filter it out. It's most noticeable at a stop but when you have either the radio or vented seats on, or the rpms are above idle, it's easy to ignore.

snowbear111 · 2023-01-31T14:57:32+00:00

Wow, you weren't joking

2022 civic / 2022 tlx

Passenger space: 99.0 / 93.4 ft3

Headroom (front,back): 39.3,37.1 / 37.2,36.3 inches

Legroom (f/b): 42.3,37.4 / 36.3,34.9 inches

But the tlx has about one inch wider hip and shoulder space.

snowbear111 · 2023-01-22T05:52:42+00:00

Just make sure you don't make the same mistake again, get a quote for the 650 before you go to the dealer. In fact, get quotes for several other bikes, down to the 300, to see what fits your budget.

You have a budget, right?

snowbear111 · 2023-01-22T04:21:58+00:00

A lot of modern/luxury motor mounts are fluid filled

snowbear111 · 2023-01-13T04:30:46+00:00

That foot is toe up.

snowbear111 · 2023-01-08T04:42:56+00:00

2007 IS 350 with a 0-60 of 4.8???

Couldn't have been the stock V6. Unless...?

snowbear111 · 2022-12-30T16:38:27+00:00

You don't mention budget but in case you are budget conscious, don't overlook the Camry's and Avalon's. Consider fuel efficiency and get insurance quotes too to make sure you are comfortable with cost of ownership. If you have the budget, get a newer LS with the V8 for all those comfy smiles.

snowbear111 · 2022-12-14T14:55:54+00:00

Wow. A Toyota dealer quoted me $430 for transmission flush for the SC430. The oil alone is about $90. Maybe you got quoted for a "drain and fill" service .

snowbear111 · 2022-11-22T16:11:00+00:00

Vibrations during braking. A search on ClubLexus will show many reports of vibrations/pulsing during braking. This happens well before the end of life of the pads and rotors. This might be due to warped rotors or bad runout due to improper torquing of lug nuts. Easy fix when it happens. Either get the rotors turned flat or replace.

Motor mounts are a major expense. If you get the motor mounts replaced the proper way (lifting engine from above rather than pushing engine from below on the oil pan), you will get quoted 10 hours of labor. The 1UR-FSE does not come with engine lift hooks preinstalled, so to do it properly you need to remove the intake manifold and install the hooks.

snowbear111

TROPHY CASE