98SNAKETR

Is there anyone here that has gone 200k or more without servicing the starter?

Had a customer come in with an LS400 a while back insisting that I replace the contacts and plunger on his starter

I told him that with as much work involved, he might as well spring for a new OEM starter just to be on the safe side (especially since I hate having to do things twice)

He agreed and I replaced it for him, but he still ended up with random no crank

Turned out to be the $h!tty auto start system he had installed previously

Now that I'm in the market for an LS for myself, I'm just curious as to how far I can go without a PM

seanl

I have had two 1997 LS400s that needed starters around 90K miles.

I'm now in the market for a '04-'06 LS430 and I truly hope Lexus has made some progress on starter longevity....

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

132k on the original starter. You don't hear about them going out at low mileage on the 430. If mine last until the 2nd TB / WP job I'm going to replace it then anyway.

Tom57

266K and still going on original starter in '01 LS - cold starts in northern climate.

Boomer01

I have 205K with the original starter. I hear a grinding noise which lasts only a split second when I start the car during cold days. The dealer said it was probably the starter, but it's been doing it for over a year and it's never not started. The weird thing is that there is no grinding noise on warmer days or after it has been driven.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Since you have to take the intake manifold off to get to get the starter, my plan is to go ahead and replace it as well as the knock sensors right there at about 200k miles. If the engine is already half apart it would be more cost affective to do this at that point vs going back and having to do it after.

Speaking of the starter, are you guys engaging the starter for about a full second when starting? This ensures a good start the first try every time. My previous 400 and current 430 do not like bump starts. I have a friend who tries to bump start my car every dang time. Drives me nuts. I don't let him start my car anymore...

Tom57

It all depends upon conditions. I don't bump start and I don't hang on the starter either. In the severe winter, it may take a little more than a second to fire up. An experienced ear helps to know how long to hold the ignition starter "on."

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I agree. At times the car does fire up faster. I find mine, in general, takes about a second to fire up. I believe it is better to hang on the starter a split second longer vs a restart.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

This interests me as well. Have had 3 in the 400 and if the characteristic carries over to the 430, it is something to be aware of. I don't recollect any threads about this being common on the 430's.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I'm at 132k on my original, Tom has 266k on his 01, boomer has 205k on his. I don't see others talking about replacing them often.

Tom57

I agree the starter is hardly mentioned as a failure even on high mileage examples.

I'm on the original radiator too which is rare especially for a 15-year old car in the snow belt. I should do preventive maintenance and replace the radiator this summer.

KING

iTrader: (1)

Look at us bragging how reliable our luxury vehicles are, something not everyone will understand..

Boomer01

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seanl

Having just sold off my 2002 Audi S8, let me tell you our LS cars *are* reliable. Maybe not the most exciting driving experience, but that's not their focus....comfy and troublefree are indeed desirable traits!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Considering my 04 has 132k miles and a $200 oem alternator has been the most expensive part I have purchased I would say reliability is on our side.