Soooooooooo.....I have had an engine breakdown in my'08 IS350. With 287,000 kms on it I am not surprised. Story simply goes I was driving down the hwy and pulled out to pass someone and lost 50% of my power at least. Pulled off immediately and pulled into a parking lot. The car stayed running but it sounded like there was an empty coffee can banging around inside. I shut it off and started it...it starts and idles fine. First thought was something in the valve-train, as I've had some light rattling coming from that area. And ultimately the thought of spun crankshaft bearing was immediately looming in the front of my mind. I've taken both valve covers off to find nothing visually wrong with the valve-train. When I removed the oil line to the VVT solenoid I found aluminum flakes in the oil. I have photos of everything but not sure if it's worth posting.

So I need to pull the engine out. If it is salvageable I will rebuild, otherwise I will replace the entire engine.

Anyways, My question to my fellow Lexus brothers is:

A) Has anyone successfully pulled the engine out from above in the IS350...or am I left pulling from underneath with the engine cradle and transmission? (As they do at the dealer)

B) Where is the best place to find engine components with quick delivery (I do live in Canada so hopefully any suggestions will delivery here, most U.S. Vendors do)

C) If I'm redoing this engine I feel I may as well build a stronger motor than before and I seem to be having a hard time finding performance parts for this engine. Aside from exhaust system and bolt on "Cold air" intakes, what options are available for this engine and where is the best place to window shop for ideas? I've heard any sort of supercharger isn't worth the money...as it's too high compression to run effectively for the cost of the supercharger. I could lower the compression of the engine if there is available piston options out there, but is it worth it?

I know many would say get rid of it and just get a new car but this car has literally been rock solid up until the end. Owes me nothing and has cost me nothing in the way, aside from oil, brakes, and one alternator. I can't say that about any other car I've ever owned. Absolutely an awesome car, owes me nothing, and there isn't a spec of rust anywhere on the vehicle even underneath.

Any idea from the group would be great...in the meantime I have begun stripping the engine and will proceed with jacking my car up in the air 5 feet and pulling from underneath.

Thanks in advanced!

Keith

 

I purchased an is350 last fall with a blown motor. The previous owner ran over something and dented the oil pan, but didn't shatter it. I found a used motor for pretty cheap from a local junk yard. eBay prices were higher. I couldn't find any used motors from Japan, which surprised me. It was much easier than rebuilding. The 2gr is really stout if you take care of it. Rebuilding would be another story. Motor came out from the top, although dropping the subframe would have been less time consuming as there isn't much room in the bay. The hardest part was the torque convert bolts. I would dissect the old motor but recycle it, no sense in rebuilding with used motor in supply and reasonable price.

 

There was one fella (in Florida) on the other IS Board who was asking the same questions. In his case the dealership did a bunch of warranty work (replaced the valve springs I think and a whole bunch of other things) and his engine went soon after. He never did respond after posting. He wanted to pull it from the top also.

My thought is there is no reason why you can't pull the engine from above but obviously it seems easier to pull from the bottom. Hence the reason the dealer does it that way. My thoughts on rebuilding vs replacing. I wouldn't even waste the time or money rebuilding that engine. You might be able to find a low mileage engine at a wrecking yard somewhere.

I did a search on www.car-parts.com and it seems there are a few for around your area for $2k-$2.5k. Some of the yards will ship some won't but to skid an engine and ship it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred bucks (even from BC to Toronto). You can try Western Canada Express Trucking if it is coming from out west or APEX from Ontario or out East to Quebec. There is Maritime Ontario for way out east.

You can certainly get one from the USA. There are locations in Niagara Falls, NY where you can ship to and pick it up with a pickup (CBI USA) if you decide to go that way. They will except your order and hold on to it for like $30 bucks a week until you can come to pick it up. Customs should not be a problem since your using it for parts , you will just have to pay GST.

Look around your area for a garage that might rent out a hoist to you for a week or so. Here in Texas we have garages where you can rent a hoist from a couple of hours to a month. But I see no reason you couldn't pull it from the top.

The engine is not worth rebuilding. Too expensive and any improvements you would make would be difficult to realize because you wouldn't really be able to take full advantage of it due to the lockdown ECU code. You could go the route of putting in a 2JZ but you might need an after market cluster and some of the things inside the vehicle might not work. But 2JZ are pretty cheap, more power and indestructible. You can abuse the **** out of them and they just keep going.

Without rambling too much more I think finding a used engine with lower mileage is the way to go if you want to save the car. Otherwise maybe part it out and look for another.


Just my opinions... take it or leave it. Your mileage will vary. Not here to debate.

 

@2grfan and Mrfix,

Thanks guys truly appreciate the effort and feedback on this. I figured any kind of mods weren't available or really reasonable, just thought I'd see what peoe thought. I heard about the computer being locked down tight and that people have tried piggy-backing, even double piggy-backing the ecm with minimal success.
I think the most reasonable way to take this out would be througthrough the bottom...I may have to put it up on stilts but doable. I do believe these engines are solid. I have drove this thing hard and it has never had problems til the end.
I found some engines online too as that was my first thought. I think we probably looked at the same site. I think I saw two shipping from a Toronto yard for around the same price you're mentioning. And same milage. I sent them an email and no response so I'll call and see.
Anyways, thanks again gentlemen. I appreciate the effort and info in your feedback. Perhaps I'll spend money on exterior upgrades.

Keith