Skittle

Just seeing if anyone has information on this. I have a 2004 ES-330 that has the Check engine light come on and the mechanic is stating that the issue is the Converter on bank two. I have notice that since I have had the car for about a year ( has now 190K Miles) just had the timing belt changed at 180, that the car is running fine at interstate speeds 60-70 mph, and when in town coming to a stop then starting again, that it takes a second or two for the car to move, kinda sluggish and jerky. Would the converter being faulty cause this or could it be something else? I have also put sea-foam addative to the tank a couple of times and seems like it sorta helped.

LeX2K

These cars are known for lazy transmissions (due to how they are programmed) that could account for the herky jerky feeling from a stop. Properly servicing the transmission helps. Need more info on the converter issue they don't normally fail unless the engine is running poorly for a long period which will cook the catalytic converter.

Skittle

The exhaust manifold converter behind the radiator, is supposedly the one that failed. Going to cost about 900 to get fixed...........guess that is about normal. My question is if I get this replaced will it improve the jerky starts or is that a totally separate issue?

LeX2K

Maybe, how did the car drive before the CEL came on?

Skittle

It has always been sluggish and jerky stopping and then starting out since I have had it. Again, the SeaFoam additive seems like it helped and I had the checkengine light come one once before and cleared, but now 3 or 4 gas tanks later it came on again, I like the car, but don't want to have it as a money pit unless It is absolute necessary.

speedkar9

The laggy throttle and transmission were the worse part of the 4ES. That's one of the reasons I sold mine.
Even my GS350 has transmission lag at low speeds - its quite annoying I know. These Lexus cars are best suited for highway cruising.