Difficult ES350 repairs
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
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From: TX
Difficult ES350 repairs
Hi,
I'm debating between an 2006-2011 ES350 and a 2004-2006 LS430 for the 2-4hr road trips I frequently do for work plus some around town driving. I like to have the option of doing my own repairs, time permitting, and ideally this will be a car that doesn't require much to keep it running. I currently have a 2006 4runner with 170k miles (looks easy to work on, although I haven't had a single drive train failure to deal with so far) and a 2007 Porsche Cayman with 77k miles (not easy to work on at all, due to the position of the engine; just did the water pump and thermostat on that one).
I've heard stories of other FWD transverse mounted engines being difficult to work on because of space and layout issues, especially from Honda. This also translates to high labor costs if you end up taking it in to have a pro do it. I gave up trying to replace an Odyssey power steering pump because there didn't seem to be any way to remove it without major engine disassembly.
Does the ES350 have any big problems like that or are all the commonly replaced parts relatively easy to get to? (alternator, starter, water pump, etc.) I looked at the ES350 TSB list and it seems like a pretty reliable car overall.
I know the LS430 has its own set of issues - timing belt and water pump every 90k and a starter that's buried in the rear bowels of the engine bay.
Living in Houston we also have to watch out for all the flooded cars from Harvey, so I've been taking my time and trying to be as patient as possible.
Any insights or thought are appreciated. Thanks!
Jacob
I'm debating between an 2006-2011 ES350 and a 2004-2006 LS430 for the 2-4hr road trips I frequently do for work plus some around town driving. I like to have the option of doing my own repairs, time permitting, and ideally this will be a car that doesn't require much to keep it running. I currently have a 2006 4runner with 170k miles (looks easy to work on, although I haven't had a single drive train failure to deal with so far) and a 2007 Porsche Cayman with 77k miles (not easy to work on at all, due to the position of the engine; just did the water pump and thermostat on that one).
I've heard stories of other FWD transverse mounted engines being difficult to work on because of space and layout issues, especially from Honda. This also translates to high labor costs if you end up taking it in to have a pro do it. I gave up trying to replace an Odyssey power steering pump because there didn't seem to be any way to remove it without major engine disassembly.
Does the ES350 have any big problems like that or are all the commonly replaced parts relatively easy to get to? (alternator, starter, water pump, etc.) I looked at the ES350 TSB list and it seems like a pretty reliable car overall.
I know the LS430 has its own set of issues - timing belt and water pump every 90k and a starter that's buried in the rear bowels of the engine bay.
Living in Houston we also have to watch out for all the flooded cars from Harvey, so I've been taking my time and trying to be as patient as possible.
Any insights or thought are appreciated. Thanks!
Jacob
Last edited by jacobm3; Jul 26, 2018 at 11:33 AM. Reason: added detail
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: TN
We bought our '07 based on it's reputation for reliability and good value. It has 142K on it and I wouldn't be afraid to drive it anywhere. Now, that said, it also depends on how the car's been maintained. I dare say, you'll find one of two extremes. It will either have been meticulously maintained or it will have been very neglected. Also, one of the major deciding factors to me was the use of a timing chain instead of a belt. Much lower maintenance.
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 279
From: CA
I've replaced the alternator twice and while it is a PIA due to # of things to move out of the way; it is a relatively easy job. Starter is a piece of cake; done that also.
Water pump is next and it looks involved - have to lift engine a bit and move lots of stuff from the top.
The 3 plugs along firewall are also a challenge to replace but, with Iridium plugs, they only need changing every 100K. I think you can handle it.
Water pump is next and it looks involved - have to lift engine a bit and move lots of stuff from the top.
The 3 plugs along firewall are also a challenge to replace but, with Iridium plugs, they only need changing every 100K. I think you can handle it.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: TX
I've replaced the alternator twice and while it is a PIA due to # of things to move out of the way; it is a relatively easy job. Starter is a piece of cake; done that also.
Water pump is next and it looks involved - have to lift engine a bit and move lots of stuff from the top.
The 3 plugs along firewall are also a challenge to replace but, with Iridium plugs, they only need changing every 100K. I think you can handle it.
Water pump is next and it looks involved - have to lift engine a bit and move lots of stuff from the top.
The 3 plugs along firewall are also a challenge to replace but, with Iridium plugs, they only need changing every 100K. I think you can handle it.
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