Barnesie

Hi there,
I am in the market for an IS 250 and I was made aware of the carbon build up issue affecting this car. I remember reading a thread that described an extended warranty that Lexus issued for this problem, but I cannot seem to locate the thread with the details. Can someone please link me to the thread or describe the extended warranty to me. Thanks!

Barnesie

Found the thread. I now need to know how widespread this problem really is...in other words is it something that is bound to happen on any IS 250 or is it just the luck of the draw that is problem presents. I also read that some owners have had the "fix" done only to have the issue present itself a few years later. Is the "fix" really a FIX? Also, it appears that the IS 350 does not have this issue...is that correct?

toyoman29

I would recommend the 350 it has some recall issues but not the carbon build up one. I have a 2010 IS 250 and had the top end of the engine cleaned at 60K miles and was done free of charge at Lexus, had check engine light with cylinder misfire, it has 73K miles now with no problems. I will get a IS 350 next time, like you have read the 2010 and up usually don't need a total rebuild but most older models do.

tomiv9

Get a 2010 or newer is250. Or 350. No carbon issues. 2006-2009 is250s have the older style piston rings. These were updated in 2010 and what the fix is. All get some degree of carbon buildup. When it will become a problem, causing sputtering, is unknown. My 2009 like lots of others started showing symptoms around 40k miles. I had the fix done at 60k and no issues since. I'm at 90k now. If problems do comeback I can just get a top engine cleaning done for few hundred bucks

Barnesie

Thanks everyone for the quick comments. So, it is safe to assume ALL 2010 250s have the new style piston rings??...this wasn't some midyear change?? The extended warranty - 9 years - is only for the model years 06-09?

355F1

NO, not all of the 2010MY have the new piston rings. Lexus changed them halfway through the production.

I do not know the cutoff VIN#, but any Lexus dealer can look a VIN up to see which rings it has.

I have a late-model 2010 and I have the new rings. But with 135k miles on the clock...I have also had the sputtering at stoplights probably 6x since 100k miles. Lexus ran the misfire test for free but came back as a PASS.

Barnesie

Great...thanks for clarifying that. So, it really isn't a fix or could your IS be having a little carbon build up and a little top cleaning or whatever its called fix your random sputtering??? Thanks.

355F1

It was only literally a fraction of a second that it happened. I don't think I imagined it....lol

It hasn't happened in awhile and when it happened last I ran a can of Seafoam through the gas tank.

Why? You looking to buy a specific IS that is extremely uncommon in AZ? Lol I have yet to see an IS down here with the same color combo+options as mine.

MWIS350

No more worry about 2007 IS250 carbon build up wife just trade in her for ES350.

355F1

We just traded my girl's Pristinely clean and optioned 2006 GS300 AWD in 3 weeks ago for a 2013 IS 250 because it got hit with a $12k repair bill for the notorious engine rebuild.

I was thinking about moving into an ES....possibly the hybrid, though. I spend a lot of time in my car (obviously with 30k miles/year!)

MWIS350

Wow $12k...Hopefully 2007 ES350 don't have any major problem. One thing about 2007 IS250 is cabon build up, but her was running good and no issue when we trade in at 109k miles. We also need more legs room in back seat for kids.

Barnesie

Well everyone I think all this carbon build up and expensive repairs have scared me enough to say goodbye and not go with the car...I am shifting to an ES350. Thanks everyone!

MWIS350

IS350 have no issue with carbon build up.

tomiv9

The 12k repair bill other poster mentioned was for a GS. Not an IS. Honesty I wouldn't let carbon deter you. If you get symptoms a lot and u canot get free fix get a cleaning. No reason to pay for the repair if it doesnt get done under the 9 year warranty. More of an annoyance then anything.

Barnesie

well back to the IS....we just went and test drove a ES350 and it is basically the same car as our 2011 camry, so wife and I figured not worth the expense of "trading up". So, will a top cleaning remove some of the symptoms thereby eliminating the need to do the expensive "fix".