ttyR2

So my LS400 has 310,000 miles on it, and may be due for a timing belt replacement (no service records have been kept by the previous owner). With a new timing belt and full tuneup, should I be able to wing the engine to redline occasionally? Or does it really need to be treated gently at this middle-age time of it's life? Engine sounds fine at this point, no rattles or other unsightly noises.

trukn1

The 1UZfe is a very strong beast of an engine. Definately do the timing belt (water pump too since you are right there) along with a full tune up. How is the ride quality?? Ball joints and bushings are a major concern for this car so may be a good idea to change them as well. I would hold off on red lining the car until you know what has been done to it. Not saying that it cant take it,,I occasionally red line my 92 with no worries, but i know what has and has not been done under the hood as well. With proper maintenance and fluid changes, ec,, you pretty much have to take a bazooka to this engine for it to die. LOL!!! Enjoy the car and Welcome to Club Lex.

19psi

do the maintenace and then drive it any way you want. it will be fine.

steveski

Trukn is right - hold off on racing it around until you determine if the timing belt was changed according to schedule. Mine has almost 200,000 now and I still redline it from time to time. Of course it is not a race car - I have a 350z for that The LS has good power and acceleration but it's still a cruiser. Timing belts should be changed every 100,000 miles or less according to schedule. And just like 19PSI said - once maintained drive it as you like

CptnTonus

My biggest concern on a high-mileage car like that would be the transmission. How does it shift? Do you know if it's been regularly serviced? Have you changed the fluid/filter in it? As long as the engine has been properly maintained, it should be able to take as much of a beating as you can throw at it. My '92 LS400 w/ 234k on it has seen its 6,500rpm rev limiter a few times, and it runs great.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

If the car has been serviced at a Lexus dealership, you should be able to find out what has been done to it (at least when service was done there). You can take the VIN in and ask one of the service guys to look the car up for you.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

As well maintained as it may be, it is nonetheless a car with 310K miles. It may take a few jaunts but I wouldn't press it. The next time afterwards, you may see smoke emitting from the tail pipe, increased oil consumption, a ticking valve, coolant mysteriously dropping, hard or delayed tranny shifts...

Christian

Hello,

we have 525000km (326000miles) on the clock and the car is still driven fast on the german Autobahn(>200km/h). The car is perfectly maintained and we bought it new. I wouldn't worry to much about it after you did some maintainance. Reving it till redline from time to time will not be so stressfull for the engine and you won't probably drive it above 4000rpm for many minutes since you have speedlimit in the US.
A few weeks ago I drove from Munich to Hamburg (800km) in 4,5 hours. Average 180km/h. No problems at all besides the gas mileage. 22l. for 100km 11miles per gallon. 1 gallon costs around 7$.


Chris

TJW98LS

iTrader: (1)

Im sorry to say this, chris...but man, if I had to pay $7 a gallon in gas...I wouldnt be doin an average of 115mph lol. Id strictly do 100km/h (60mph).

As for ttyR2, I think that you should take it into a lexus dealer and have them give it a good check. Once it's all up to date, you should be able to drive it any way you want.

omarg

I'm rough on my LS. But I make sure all the fluids are good. 239k on the clock now and still runs 95%. The LS is a strong car. If its even barely maintained (regular oil changes and fluids checked) it'll be fine.

steveski

Chris,
You are lucky to have such a well engineered highway - and of course no speed limits on many parts. $7 per gallon gas is hard for us in the U.S. to imagine-atleast for now.

Christian

Yes, I can imagine that. We dont really like that either, but we are used to. That is why Diesel cars are so popular in europe.

Chris

skraggy_uk

In the UK, you are looking at nearly $8 for a us gallon (3.78 litre) of 98ron super unleaded. An Imprerial gallon at 4.5litres gets that little bit dearer probably $1.5-2 dearer.

That is in the UK.

Bill Dowd

Don't Worry About The Engine It's Bullet Proof Like The Man Said Above Keep All The Fluids Changed And Enjoy The Worlds Best Built Car.

pfantom68

310,000 is pretty high, but I'm with everyone above.

As for me, my car has 186k, and I drive it like I stole it. Probably floor it or redline it at least once a day. It's one solid motor!