07' IS250 AWD Dilemma
07-29-18, 07:29 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: GA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07' IS250 AWD Dilemma
Hey guys,
I am new to posting but have always found good information on here that has helped me through a lot of issues with my car. I have a 2007 Starfire Pearl IS 250 AWD that I have babied over the years. I have the car using the F-sport intake, F-sport sway bars, F-sport rear sub frame brace, F-sport suspension, F-sport springs, as well as the F-sport exhaust. I currently have 205k on it. I had the misfire "recall" done at 120k where my local Lexus dealer replaced pistons, rings, etc. I had the issue with the dash melting and within the last 6 months had it and a new door panel installed. That took about 2-3 years to get. It has creaked ever since. Anyways, I recently took it back in to the dealer for that creak and they discovered something else while it has been in there. This is where the issue lies... On cold start, you can hear a louder than normal "clacking" then it settles. I had asked about it before and was always told that it was normal. Now they are telling me that it is an issue with my VVT cam gear is rattling and needs to be replaced. They want $2862 to do the repair. The question is, do I do it or do I hold off? Has anyone else had an issue like this before? Is this a normal thing at 200k? On one hand, the car is worth maybe $5000 now and it could use a top engine clean as well soon. Do I fix it and hope for the best or sell the car and move on? I have known this day was coming but honestly it sucks because I love this car. Any info or advise on this matter would be wonderful!
I am new to posting but have always found good information on here that has helped me through a lot of issues with my car. I have a 2007 Starfire Pearl IS 250 AWD that I have babied over the years. I have the car using the F-sport intake, F-sport sway bars, F-sport rear sub frame brace, F-sport suspension, F-sport springs, as well as the F-sport exhaust. I currently have 205k on it. I had the misfire "recall" done at 120k where my local Lexus dealer replaced pistons, rings, etc. I had the issue with the dash melting and within the last 6 months had it and a new door panel installed. That took about 2-3 years to get. It has creaked ever since. Anyways, I recently took it back in to the dealer for that creak and they discovered something else while it has been in there. This is where the issue lies... On cold start, you can hear a louder than normal "clacking" then it settles. I had asked about it before and was always told that it was normal. Now they are telling me that it is an issue with my VVT cam gear is rattling and needs to be replaced. They want $2862 to do the repair. The question is, do I do it or do I hold off? Has anyone else had an issue like this before? Is this a normal thing at 200k? On one hand, the car is worth maybe $5000 now and it could use a top engine clean as well soon. Do I fix it and hope for the best or sell the car and move on? I have known this day was coming but honestly it sucks because I love this car. Any info or advise on this matter would be wonderful!
07-29-18, 09:03 PM
#2
Racer
the cold start grind? I'm at 140k km's and I have it every so often. As far as I know it's normal... I think I read up on the grind a while back about there being a second of a lack of oil so the fix sort of replaces some cam gears for a new design. Personally I plan on getting rid of the car before it leads to anything catastrophic. Depends on how long you'll keep it I guess. I think I read old threads of people just leaving it be - not sure how their IS's are fairing to this date though
07-30-18, 10:00 AM
#4
Just curious, what oil do you use and how many miles since it was changed?
When I got the 350 a year ago the engine seemed sluggish. Upon changing the oil from whatever crude the dealership dumped in it, it sprang to life. That said the quality of oil matters to these engines with controlled oil leaks being used to establish cam timing.
Change the oil to something of quality and throw in a bottle of STP oil treatment. Report back if the cold start noise is improved.
When I got the 350 a year ago the engine seemed sluggish. Upon changing the oil from whatever crude the dealership dumped in it, it sprang to life. That said the quality of oil matters to these engines with controlled oil leaks being used to establish cam timing.
Change the oil to something of quality and throw in a bottle of STP oil treatment. Report back if the cold start noise is improved.
07-30-18, 04:34 PM
#6
I would highly recommend reading the oil thread in the RCF forum: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...hetic-oil.html
There is a ton of great advice, it seems like Renewable Lube is one of the highest recommended oils in that thread. This is also confirmed by testing on https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/
There is a ton of great advice, it seems like Renewable Lube is one of the highest recommended oils in that thread. This is also confirmed by testing on https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/
07-30-18, 07:06 PM
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: GA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just curious, what oil do you use and how many miles since it was changed?
When I got the 350 a year ago the engine seemed sluggish. Upon changing the oil from whatever crude the dealership dumped in it, it sprang to life. That said the quality of oil matters to these engines with controlled oil leaks being used to establish cam timing.
Change the oil to something of quality and throw in a bottle of STP oil treatment. Report back if the cold start noise is improved.
When I got the 350 a year ago the engine seemed sluggish. Upon changing the oil from whatever crude the dealership dumped in it, it sprang to life. That said the quality of oil matters to these engines with controlled oil leaks being used to establish cam timing.
Change the oil to something of quality and throw in a bottle of STP oil treatment. Report back if the cold start noise is improved.
I have always used Mobil 1 full synthetic. Normally I change the oil every 5 to 6k. I try to run the chevron tectron through the tank every 5-7k. I have never used the STP but am willing to try.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
