Please Help - Tips to make my gs400 pass 300k
06-01-09, 06:13 PM
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Please Help - Tips to make my gs400 pass 300k
Hello, i am new to CL and been on here finding great things but something that still bothers me a bit. My 98 gs400 is pushing 240K and i'm truly scared of something going wrong. I have a great mechanic friend from Lexus of Nashville dealership. His only advice is fix it when it needs to be fix. Is there anyone that can tell me what i might want to replace before a small problem turns into a big one. I've been thinking of just finding another gs4 motor but they are rare for me to find. i've replaced timing belt at 200k, and thats just about the only major, other than oil and brakes. I keep taking it to the dealership just for an oil change just to make sure i'm not having problems but $90 oil change gets exphensive.
06-01-09, 06:47 PM
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You could have save half of that changing it yourself at home with Mobile 1. I hope you did scheduled interval maintenance and not just oil and brakes only. Such as tranny, power steering, coolant, and gear fluid etc...
diy with amsoil and kn oil filter for $55
06-01-09, 06:52 PM
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Don't take it to Lexus of Nashville...
Use Lexpro in Murfreesboro! Great guys, and used to work for Lexus of Cool Springs. They do all the maintenance on my 430.
Good luck!
Use Lexpro in Murfreesboro! Great guys, and used to work for Lexus of Cool Springs. They do all the maintenance on my 430.
Good luck!
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06-01-09, 09:42 PM
#10
If you can admit to yourself that you don't have very much mechanical knowledge, as it appears that
A) you don't change your own oil
b) you've been going to the dealership for 240k miles
Please don't take this as too condescending, but the best thing I'd recommend for you and your pocketbook is to find a trustworthy (i.e. competent) independent (i.e. less expensive) mechanic (toyota/lexus specialist preferred) and have them take over the service from here on out.
Just drop it off every 7500 miles for oil change and whatever else he recommends for you. (yes 7500, just like it says in your owners maintenance manual, not what the oilchange places would have you believe),
A) you don't change your own oil
b) you've been going to the dealership for 240k miles
Please don't take this as too condescending, but the best thing I'd recommend for you and your pocketbook is to find a trustworthy (i.e. competent) independent (i.e. less expensive) mechanic (toyota/lexus specialist preferred) and have them take over the service from here on out.
Just drop it off every 7500 miles for oil change and whatever else he recommends for you. (yes 7500, just like it says in your owners maintenance manual, not what the oilchange places would have you believe),
06-02-09, 02:21 AM
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Very true (dealer ripping me a new one). And somewhat true I know little about what I’m looking for on the motor. I usually do my oil changes but as stated, I got a little scared of the high mileage at 225k and started to take it every other oil change to Lexus at 225K , wanted to know if I had tune ups that are needed and my mechanic tells me to quit tripping whenever I ask. Tranny and coolant, I’m planning this weekend. Gear Fluid? (any more info please). Not sure if waterpump was replaced but I shall find out. Sparkplugs (this one has to happen too Any particular brand NGK Irduim?) Transmission filter? Tires are good. My mechanic is good friends with the guys from LexPro and AccurateAutomotive. They’re all from Lexus/Acura at one point. But this guy is a great friend that’s been at Lexus for 10yrs and works on my car at very low cost on his own time. 1 of my seals are bad and when I told the news to the mechanic heres his response (its 240k miles and got a little leak, wow). I’ll make sure to look into it more VC,Cam,Front,Rear (Thanks). What Up D-Money how you been bro. Hows the GS? Everyone spreading rumors about your car (he sold it, he got new 20s, etc). Thanks for everyone’s fast response. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please if anymore feedback let me know. Oh yes btw Lexus puts 5w-20 instead of 5w-30 (i think thats right) My mechanic explains 5w-30 will cause all types of oil leaks cause of the high milege so no need in differ motor oil. just mobile1 and toyo filter.
06-02-09, 09:23 AM
#14
You need to let your mechanic know what your goals are.
From an unemotional point of view your mechanic is giving you good advice.
Maybe it will take $1000-$2000 or even more to fix those leaks, or even more depending what you want to replace.
Plus, given that the car is 10years old, how much longer are you planning to keep the car before moving to something new? Also, given the age of the car, there is just about no resale value whether or not you do the maintenance or not.
For example, if you're going to end up giving up the car in 3years or so, then that's a large amount of cost divided over your usage.
At the same time you could take that same money and save it towards a new car, or even say a less used car (maybe a 3-5year old car).
On the other hand, if you have modded your car, and are emotionally attached to that particular car, then perhaps you do want to keep refreshing it with (expensive) repairs, but be aware you're sinking in more money then it's worth to start over.
This goes for some of the other major maintenance. You need to evaluate what benefit you're going to get out of the maintenance versus the cost of the maintenance.
There is so many parts that are worn (esp. suspension), perhaps not fully worn out, but definitely not new. Is it worth it to fix up certain parts to fully new when most of your car is at 50% of new already (or less)?
Regular fluid changes probably are cheap maintenance, when you get to replacing actual parts then you should really think. Even the fluid changes you can maybe start extending the intervals to save some cash (or take money to apply to new car).
Even if you take a slight hit in the car's ability, are you really going to care given the other problems that are going to show up, and that you're eventually going to get a new car?
From an unemotional point of view your mechanic is giving you good advice.
Maybe it will take $1000-$2000 or even more to fix those leaks, or even more depending what you want to replace.
Plus, given that the car is 10years old, how much longer are you planning to keep the car before moving to something new? Also, given the age of the car, there is just about no resale value whether or not you do the maintenance or not.
For example, if you're going to end up giving up the car in 3years or so, then that's a large amount of cost divided over your usage.
At the same time you could take that same money and save it towards a new car, or even say a less used car (maybe a 3-5year old car).
On the other hand, if you have modded your car, and are emotionally attached to that particular car, then perhaps you do want to keep refreshing it with (expensive) repairs, but be aware you're sinking in more money then it's worth to start over.
This goes for some of the other major maintenance. You need to evaluate what benefit you're going to get out of the maintenance versus the cost of the maintenance.
There is so many parts that are worn (esp. suspension), perhaps not fully worn out, but definitely not new. Is it worth it to fix up certain parts to fully new when most of your car is at 50% of new already (or less)?
Regular fluid changes probably are cheap maintenance, when you get to replacing actual parts then you should really think. Even the fluid changes you can maybe start extending the intervals to save some cash (or take money to apply to new car).
Even if you take a slight hit in the car's ability, are you really going to care given the other problems that are going to show up, and that you're eventually going to get a new car?
Last edited by raytseng; 06-02-09 at 09:33 AM.
