mvp1

2006 is250 - Driving it with Carbon Build Up? What's the worst that could happen?

Recently Lexus Canada told me my car bad carbon build up which would cost 5-8000$ if not more, they refuse to do anything about it like they did with other cars since the car wasn't fully serviced there. If I were to keep the car and just drive it what is the worst that can happen? It shows no signs of misfire or anything but the VSC light is on and won't turn off. What do you all think?

Ps it's bull Lexus won't do anything about it

Eduskator

My question is, why hasn't the car been serviced a few years ago when the TSB went out? It's a 2006...

I don't think 2006 is eligible anymore for the free repairs, but let's see what others think.

top5

Going forward I woukd take steps for prevention. I would Seafoam your car with your next oil change

mvp1

Not valid for Canada, makes no sense

Anyone try the Seafoam?

Eduskator

I wouldn't use SeaFoam, it's not recommended. Plus, it won't solve your issue.

Just do a few hard accelerations, rev it up, do a few deccelerations, it should have the same benefits as seafoam would.

I do that once in a while on the freeway since I drive like a granny most of the time...

Ktran1039

iTrader: (1)

Before the recall

I'd get onto on ramps and gas it a little to get up to speed but before I finished the corner all power would cut out, dash lit up.....id pull over and restart my engine and get going again.

Happened about 3 times over a period of a year.

Hasn't happened since the recall last December


Edit: 2008 IS250 RWD recall done at 90k miles

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

Lexus would have helped you out under the policy if you were still within the policy's coverage (9-years from in-service date), but you're past that. They already extended the coverage up to 9-years (unlimited kms at that). The only way they're going to offer you any assistance beyond that would be to hope that the dealership offers some sort of goodwill assistance, but being the second owner of a car that was never serviced at Lexus isn't going to net you much goodwill. You've given Lexus $0 so far, and have no rapport with the dealership. Why would they help you beyond the extra coverage they already provided?

Currently, not much will happen. You may experience some rough running in the future which could get worse. You may also lose some power and fuel economy. That said, what they quoted you was to replace the pistons and rings with updated designed units and clean the carbon that is present, in the hopes that it won't build up again as quickly in the future. But really, the current issue you are facing is the carbon itself.

My suggestion is to find somewhere that can do a top-end clean on your engine (there are various methods of doing such, some are more thorough than others, but may cost more). It will cost significantly less than what you were quoted from Lexus (replacing parts), and if done correctly, you likely won't need to deal with it again for another 100,000 - 200,000 kms.

Jeff

erikm5150

Jeff, do you know of any such place around Calgary (aside from the dealerships)?
I'm in the same boat as the OP, but don't have any noticeable problems right now... but would like to get a top clean if it is priced right...