Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

1998 GS400

Reasons for (diagnostic) visit:

• Some smoke in exhaust
• Loosing coolant from somewhere
• (More recently) Check engine light, VSC, and VSC OFF lights on, chugging at idle. P1349 and P1346 codes pulled.

$102.95 later, the service dept came back with the following:

• Valve cover grommets leaking oil into the spark plug cylinders
  • Recommended: replace the 8 valve cover grommets (#11193-70010) and both gaskets (#11213-50031 & 11214-50011). $297 installed.
• Pinhole in the bottom of the radiator
  • Recommended: replace radiator with Lexus radiator (#16400-46570) or aftermarket radiator. Aftermarket is $465 installed.

Does this make sense? Suggestions?

aristo2369

iTrader: (2)

I would suggest going and getting some tools....
Im sure you can replace your valve cover gasket pretty cheap.... and for the pinhole in the radiator? did they show it to you?? in that case get a radiator and replace it yourself... maybe 200 in parts.... save yourself 565.00

AshburnM3

have some friends and diy and save $$$.....

jcat_350

does make sense, but what concerns me is that you have an oil issue AND a coolant issue at the same time...is there any coolant in your oil? Check ASAP, as this could be an indicator to a blown headgasket...

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Time for a nice shiney aluminum radiator..

GSJake

iTrader: (21)

You can do this stuff yourself man. I have seen what you have already done by yourself on this forum this is in the same realm. I have the Lexus manual for our cars. If need be I can get you that section. Good Luck!

speedaddic

iTrader: (10)

yep...time for a nice 4 row aluminum radiator, BUT you'll need to get a tranny cooler and a nice overflow and some e fans

jefthim

What color is the smoke? Black smoke would indicate that you are burning oil. White smoke would indicate that you are burning water/coolant meaning a head gasket issue.

jcat_350

wrong, oil is BLUE smoke.

Jason T

Change your oil to full synthetic and you will never see blue again

This will damage you spark plug leads but will not cause smoke from tail pipe

Buy borrow a radiator pressure tester and find leak / second opinion

Jrezo

+1

+1, odd but synthetic molecules affect the way it acts when burned not resulting in a smoke of color.

Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the input, guys! Yeah, I'm thinking I order the parts from Carson and do 'er myself. Any input on a good radiator brand/size that'll fit the GS4 well? Thanks for the offer GSJake! I think I'll take the bumper off and take a look around to see what's all involved. I suppose that would be a good time for a headlight retro, huh?

Smoke is blue. Lexus did a pressure test on the cooling system, that's how they found teh pinhole (I'm told). They said the reason I could be burning oil is that there's a rubber tube somewhere in the valve cover that's shot, letting oil get by, and it would explain why at start-up I see the most smoke. (Granted, it's not a TON of smoke, but some.)

jcat_350

i believe mishimoto makes an aluminum radiator for the gs4...don't quote me though.


As for the rubber tube, idk what they'd be talking about outside of the PCV system...they might be trying to say the PCV is stuck open or something. I'd replace it as it's relatively cheap anyways.

jefthim

You know what I mean, It's a dark smoke...Jeaz