orangeteg

Hello i recently purchased a 1999 lexus ls 400 from a small dealership and am starting to think its was a mistake... i love the car but same day check engine light came on took it back but they said car comes with no warranty but as a courtesey they will fix code was for cat converter... now 3 days later check vsc light and check engine light come on and codes says p1349 wich reads variable valve timing system malfunction and the car sputters ant idle but drives fine... anyone have any idea what it could be please help... or should i take it to lexus to have them check it

orangeteg

anybody... any clue... i do remember i hit a pot hole when it came on but code reads variable valve timing system malf... thats weird for me

ck90211

While most people here might not believe the damage to engine when hitting potholes, I recently damaged my fan clutch bearing after a big pothole, and got a clinking sound afterward. So while it may sound unscientific, hitting potholes does shake cars up a little bit, especially on worn out engine mounts, suspension, etc.... Anyhow, I am not familiar with 98-00's VVTi engine, but on 95-97, there are 2 tensioner pulley tugging on timing belt to keep it tight, and I can see how those pulleys might have gotten lose after a pothole incident (again, not likely but does happen).

Since your car is 11 years old it is probably time for a timing belt change (if it has not done so). If this is what you end up doing, ask the mechanic how tight the belt/pulleys were before removal. Don't skimp on the belt because I just bought a 96 LS (as a parts car) because its timing belt snapped (goodbye engine). Good luck.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

search for it, generally speaking the P1349 code is an indicator of a dead oil control valve. there are two on the LS400 iirc. not a common issue at all, and with proper oil maint. they tend to last forever, but can be defeated when sludged up. a good LEXUS mechanic (dealership or independent) shouldnt have much of a problem fixing it.

you got hosed by that dealership though.


and no, hitting a pothole doesnt do anything to a car that 100k+ mi. does

orangeteg

thanks guys will check it out... i am trying to go to dealer to see if they will cover it under some lemon law or some sort of warranty as its only been 3 to 4 days of me driving the car