Notices
IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005) Discussion about the IS models up to the 2005 model

First IS300

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 25, 2014 | 08:14 AM
  #1  
Exia's Avatar
Exia
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: KY
Question First IS300

Well, first off, this would be the first Lexus I have every owned.. But I am thinking about trading my sports bike for 2 Lexus IS300's..

1 is a 2001 and the 2nd one is a 2002.. But here is my problem..

The 01 runs but runs rough, owner says the O2 sensor is bad it has 3 busted windows all driver and also the rear window is shattered.. 117k miles..

He went and bought the 2002 as a parts car 176k miles, the owner he bought it from, says it was getting hot, they said it didn't hit redline, they shut it off and parked it.. They sent it to a shop and had the thermostat replaced, and the person that has it now said they also replaced a gasket, he is unsure of what gasket.. But they got the car back, and it started to get hot again, so again they parked it, and now the car will not start, it acts like it wants to but don't.

So any idea's what it could be? and would I be hurting myself if I did do the trade ?
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2014 | 08:39 AM
  #2  
2GSKaizen's Avatar
2GSKaizen
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 459
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Default

If you want to turn both of these into project cars I guess you might be ok. If you are trying to daily drive either of these, I think you might want to look for an IS in a little better shape. Also depends on how mechanically inclined you are. If I had to pick 1, I would consider the 01 that runs rough. Probably between a Mass Airflow Sensor, and 02 sensor, or a combo of both. Could also be a vacuum leak. That one shouldn't be to big of a headache to get running. That 02 that is overheating might turn into a nightmare. Could be something simple like a radiator, but could be a major job like a head gasket which is going to cost big bucks if you have to take it to a shop.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2014 | 08:52 AM
  #3  
Exia's Avatar
Exia
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: KY
Default

This was my thinking as well, he bought the 2002 and what he was going to do was just yank the motor out of the 01 and swap it since it run's and drives. The 02 has the better body on it by far.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2014 | 08:56 AM
  #4  
2GSKaizen's Avatar
2GSKaizen
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 459
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Default

How much are you planning on getting for your bike? If you spend the time to look, you can find an IS300 for around the $7,000 mark with decent miles that has a great service history. You just have to be patient. Don't jump into something you are not prepared to deal with.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2014 | 09:06 AM
  #5  
Exia's Avatar
Exia
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: KY
Default

I wasn't selling it I was trading it straight up for the 2 cars
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2014 | 12:53 PM
  #6  
bacon22's Avatar
bacon22
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

u have a working bike that has no issues and ur goin to trade it for 2 cars that are about to fall apart? i would say stay with the bike or find a better deal to trade unless u have good walking shoes and ur looking for a big project. jus IMO
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2014 | 10:55 PM
  #7  
Chadley6mt's Avatar
Chadley6mt
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Default

Id say Keep the bike and look for a better IS300. these cars are not all that easy to deal with.
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2014 | 10:56 PM
  #8  
1sWt2GS's Avatar
1sWt2GS
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 27
From: soCAL
Default

Sounds like both are pretty beat I'd pass unless your mechanically inclined and don't mind taking up a huge project
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 27, 2014 | 01:37 AM
  #9  
Exia's Avatar
Exia
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: KY
Default

Well I didn't catch the rest of these post's, so I did the trade..



Well I have worked on 2j's before, but nothing to the point like this,which is why I am trying to pick everyone's brain and give me a little insight.. the white car the 2001 I now understand why it don't run right at all, the entire exhaust was gutted, no muffler, cats. nothing. So should be somewhat a simple fix, of course those are the famous last words of anyone who works on a vehicle..

The 02 now, thats a different story, first off I was wrong about the mileage, it only has 86,000 orginal miles. not 176k.... Checked a few things, oil is fine, anti-freeze levels are so so. new battery installed. Secruity light goes out, nothing out of the ordinary. upon starting it, it will crank and it will attempt to start, you can prime the fuel pump, about 2 times, and she want's to fire straight off the bat, once you try to put some throttle to it, it stop's

So here is my check list...

Check, fuel pressure at the rail, which can anyone tell me what the normal PSI is for this.
Compression test. ( What's the norm for this )
check the plug's and wire's and possibly the the injectors
Fuse's and Relay's


DTC's came up 0,,

So Any suggestion?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2014 | 06:49 AM
  #10  
mitsuguy's Avatar
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 27
From: AZ
Default

Fuel pressure should be 45 psi, give or take

compression should be 170 at the very low end, ideally around 200-210

Just a quick FYI, swapping motors between the two isn't as easy as one may think - the entire wiring harnesses have to be changed as there was a difference in computers, 01's are different than the 02-05 models...
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2014 | 09:22 AM
  #11  
Exia's Avatar
Exia
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: KY
Default

Visual Aid.

You can hear the car, and also the pump.

Reply
Old Mar 29, 2014 | 02:36 PM
  #12  
Exia's Avatar
Exia
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: KY
Default

OK just a follow up, I did some more research and found a video on YouTube with someone with some what the same symptoms, the owner replaced the alternator.. After that never had a issue, so I am going to pull off the alternator and take it in for a bench test..

This kinda make sense due to what it does I am using my Mazda as a booster and the longer I keep the Lexus on the jumpers without cranking it the quicker it tries to fire, so hopefully I didn't get to burned on this deal.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
matt526l
Build Threads
5
Nov 12, 2018 09:53 AM
kokakola
IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005)
9
Jun 25, 2011 10:07 PM
turbo_dreams
Lexus Vehicles Classifieds
3
Feb 14, 2011 01:13 AM
pbfighter
Maintenance
3
Aug 13, 2010 04:56 PM
acks2lex
IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005)
4
Aug 22, 2003 11:10 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:09 AM.

story-0
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Slideshow: Top 10 Lexus/Toyota models with the lowest 5-year depreciation rate.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 12:19:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

The LC hasn't even disappeared from the Lexus lineup yet, and we're already seeing signs of an explosive market.

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-06 09:25:02


VIEW MORE