Wait you have no pictures of the new car / purchase before the service..??

Any pictures would help..

But the external ATF was only installed on pre production press vehicles used for media days and track events..

As of today we know ZERO production IS 500 units with the external ATF cooler inside the bumper.

Joe Z

 

Got hit by this issue today at 65km mileage, just received my car yesterday here in the Toronto area! So bummed out. CEL and Parking Support Break Malfunction error.
What's the latest on this issue? Is it the exhaust gasket issue for everyone and is resolution just a replacement of the gasket?
Anyone in the Toronto area had this issue?

Thanks.

 

Yep, schedule an appointment and have them change the gaskets. Save time by telling them the issue, that 99% of the time this happens on this car this is the solution. There's some kind of internal Lexus TSB or something they can pull up, the tech looked for it and showed it to me.

 

^^ I agree, the problem is that Lexus USA and Lexus Canada are 2 separate entities and the Lexus bulletin may not apply to Canadian cars even though we know it is the same car and same problem!

Fuddin - Yeah, try and bring a few printout of people with their CEL errors and some of the work orders that people have posted with the Lexus Tech Tip to try and explain to them that this is what needs to be done first rather than fiddling with O2 sensors and such. Also, the other issue you may have is the part, they don't have any in stock at the moment. I was lucky to put my hand on 1 and the dealer has an order for me for another one when it gets restocked - I want to have them on hand in case it happens, I don't want to wait 3 weeks or so to get the part. I didn't mind paying the 28 dollars for the part for the peace of mind to at least having them with me. If I never need them, so be it, small price to pay. I am up to 128 km and so far, no issues. I was going to ask what was your production date and last few VIN numbers but I think we all agreed there was no direct correlation so far.

 

@wthrman2

L-TT-0311-22


You’re Welcome

Joe Z

 

Looks like Lexus is probably on the way to a bulletin for this issue.

The only problem with Tech Tips is that they are regional and not official bulletins.
So a US Tech Tip would likely never become a Canadian Tech Tip cause it's not the official fix.
The reality is the issue would potentially effect all IS500's cause they are all built in the same place, using the same supply of gaskets.
The Tech Tip is more of a "this will likely fix your issue" type document.

 

I take your point, but every little bit helps. Initially, Lexus did not directly address the issue. When the tech tip was published, it put points on the board for us. Luckily (at 1800 miles) I have not experienced the issue, but you never know and the more info out there, the better.

 

Sasnuke - I agree with you 100%! It is unfortunate that it is still taking this long for something official to be published given how well known, inexpensive and easy this situation resolves most, if not all of these issues. I am hoping that mine will not give me the same errors but I have the gasket in hand so if Lexus Canada won't allow them to try that 1st, I would be willing to just work with my dealer and pay out of my own pocket to avoid this back and forth nonsense. I am not willing to drive 5 times to the dealer and put about 200km each trip for them to "play and experiment" with how to solve the issue when something very obvious and simple could do the trick. But I am keeping my fingers crossed mine will be like Answer and DLPTony - which is, trouble free

 

I still find it interesting that the only thing we do know about this issue; is we don’t know why some get it and some don’t.

 

^^ Maybe a batch of supplied Exhaust Gaskets from the vendor. Some Exhaust Gaskets were faulty & some were fine.

 

I’m pretty certain it’s a manufacturing error where the exhaust isn’t being sealed with the gasket completely, which is why a new gasket fixes it but so does reinstalling and re-torqing the exhaust. It’s just a probability as to how many people are affected.

Quite embarrassing if you ask me, which is probably the reason for Tech Tip. Lexus can’t put a car 100% together correctly but isn’t ready to admit it yet lol.

 

I’m leaning towards a potential manufacturing defect on either the manifold or mid pipe exhaust flange…

Basically how they are welded in angle wise… Even a few MM’s off will create a problem.

These flanges need to perfectly align as well as the gasket needs to make the correct seal onto the seated flanges..

A new exhaust gasket may be temporarily solving the leak issue and after X amount of heat cycles the gasket will lose its effectiveness…
And then failure re occurs..!!

Below is an actual IS 500 and area of concern.. Except we would be talking about the drivers LH side..






Joe Z

 

If it's the midpipe, good excuse to get an aftermarket exhaust.

 

My dealership just retorqued the exhaust and told me the problem is "fixed". They've ordered new bolts and will replace the current ones on my first service they said. No CEL since then, knock on wood.

 

I took delivery of one yesterday and got the CEL within 4 miles of driving it. Dropped it off at a dealership this morning (got an IS300 awd as a loaner), by 4PM I got a call that the car is fixed and ready for me to pick-up. The work order stated 2 gaskets were replaced, the service manager also mentioned that it is not the 1st they have seen this problem. I hope the CEL stay away for good.

On a funny note, my daughter heard me saying that I was taking the car to the dealership for repairs. She said "Oh no, is this going to be like the Audi"?

edit:manufacture date on the car 01/22