ohkun

Hi Guys,

My 09 IS250 has been throwing CEL for past year or so.
Random misfire code.. infamous carbon build up issue.

After few drop in and oil consumption test, they wanted change piston/ring.


My IS only has 38k miles and it's still pretty much new. I generally do not like anyone touching my car.
I believe nothing beats good factory assembly. (mechanical, paint job.. etc)
So I'm worried that my car is going in for rather major job like this.


For anyone who had piston/ring replaced, what was your experience like?

- Was engine put together in one piece?
- Any extra rattle/noise coming from the engine?
- fuel consumption? (since new piston ring has more friction)


thanks,

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

The problem can only gets worse; so might as well get it over with. If I remember reading correctly, the new pistons are redesigned to help aid in the carbon build-up problem. But you're on the right track; will the car be the same after the repair? Hopefully so, and better. But the reality is that Lexus doesn't take the time to re-hone the cylinder bores; so when they install the new pistons/rings, they're being broken-in against an already broken-in cylinder wall. So its not perfect from the start. But you can help seat the rings as best you can from the start by NOT driving on the HWY at a steady speed for any long periods of time. The new rings need pressure to seat best against the walls, and to do so you really want accel and decel periods back-to-back-to-back. And with the 2IS models, it'll be in your best interest to use "sport" mode and use the paddles to downshift or trans brake the engine to help too. After a half hour of that, you've probably done yourself & the motor a BIG favor.

Good luck!

tomiv9

I got mine done at around 60K miles. It's been about a year (20K miles) and car is running fine, no issues. I too was very nervous about this, and i still am a little worried about the longevity of the engine. You could wait and not do the fix till it gets really bad, or just pay for a top engine clean periodically if you dont want the major surgery.

ohkun

Thanks for the input guys!

I'll get this done and hope for the best!

Turbogoat3

In my experience with them, most engines work well once the rings and Pistons are changed but eventually the carbon does build up again. You can slow it down with the occasional top end cleaning though.