wyeto

Hey guys,
Just bought my coworkers 2000 lexus es300 with 240k for $200. It was running really rough when I got it. It wouldnt turn over until I poked the throttle a bit.

Got it towed home and got the scanner out and its reading p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304 and p0306 for cylinders 1-4 and 6 misfire.

The girl who had it before said she hadnt done much for maintenance so I was going to do a compression test and if the engine is in good health I was going to replace the coil packs and plugs. Seems unlikely they would almost all be shot at once tho.

It also has some really leaky valve cover gaskets so I was going to get to those too. It even had one valve cover bolt that was barely threaded in on one of them

Any ideas of possible problems or should I just start throwing parts at it and hope it works?

Hopefully drive this car for a bit and flip it, I figured at 200$ I couldnt not buy it. Its in pretty good condition.

DRACO A5OG

Take a close look at the Fuel Pressure Regulator, when that leaks, it tends to throw those codes.

Also take a look at the plugs first before swapping those expensive coil packs and wires.

INNOUTFAN

While you're in there, change the spark plug wires from front coil packs to rear plugs. That much mileage and all of the heat degrades those wires. Also, don't forget the timing belt. Good Luck

wyeto

that would make the most sense. I had something similar happen to my mazdaspeed 3. FPR went out and it would hardly start let alone idle unless I gave it some juice.

I found a set of 6 coils for 60$ I can return them if the fpr works.

wyeto

Will definitely take the timing cover off and take a peak at the belt. If it looks decent I'd rather not have to change it.
The history on this thing is coming from a girl and her uncle bought it brand new and eventually gave it to her so it could be well maintained who knows.

Oro

FYI you can borrow a FP test kit from most local auto stores with a deposit. Quick test.

Also know the VC job on these is a bit annoying as getting the intake off to get at the rear is tedious. You will want a new intake manifold gasket when you do the job. There is a good DIY from user Speedkar9 around here and I think cross-posted at TN.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

x2... proceed with it this way.

If it is this, you're golden. If not, check the VVTI solenoids, the little screens could be blocked up. My misfire stemmed from one of these going bad with time.

There is no plug wires on these cars.

x2... but at least its a cheap fix. Some Felpro gaskets are like 20$ and the plenum gasket from dealer is very cheap as well.

kenneth00

hi.i have a 2000 lexus es300.and im having a problem with the misfire at 1 3 5 cylinders. i've change the spark plugs and coils.nothing happend.pls help me.

crwys

Oil control valve bank 1

ES300NZ

I would
1. change the plugs for cheap ones. (the not 100,000 kms ones), because they are reliable.
2. remove plastic covers and check the relationship between the cams and the crank (and the belt). check timing.
3. test it. if no improvement.
4. compression test all cylinders. if ok.
5. swap coil packs around to see if problem shifts. (replace if it does).
6. replace the leads.
7. disconnect knock sensors (they sometimes fail 'on') causing this issue. this can be done further up the harness not in the 'V' of the engine.
8. consider fuel injectors as issue, remove all, have cleaned or replace with second hand ones. (common issue).

Kennethjjj

I had all the codes for coil packs/spark plugs, car felt like it was running on 5 cylinders n wouldn’t go into high gear!
i had to change the coil packs n spark plugs at the same time, I had originally only changed spark plugs n that the old coil packs messed up the new spark plugs, so had to change spark plugs again n car changes gears n runs fine now.