Back on topic... My car has slightly longer start up/cranking when hot it seems, I probably have this problem down the road too, although I have the 100k platinum but still worried since that Lexus backed warranty doesn't cover leaking water pumps per Westminster Lexus

 

waterpumps are powertrain and cover under powertrain and extended warranties. so thats a ****ty dealer

 

A lot of times a slow cranking starter is the result of a weak battery or cables. The starter will work fine when the car is cold, but add a little heat and the parts expand in the starter and motor requiring more Cold Cranking Amps. Starters don't like to work hard or they,ll go bad sooner.

Have your battery checked. Sounds like a battery will be a bit cheaper than a starter. By the way these motors have a lot of compression so always get a battery with a LOT of CCA's. It'll start easier.

 

heres what alldata pays for labor on that job

 

9.5 hrs of labor to replace the starter?? yikers, is that right?

 

Yeah thats exactly what I'm seeing from my dealership

 

Right, but it doesn't really take that long. Any decent flat rate mechanic logs 80 hours in a 40 hour work week. This is the kind of job the service adviser would give to his guy who just spent 4 hours troubleshooting something that only paid 4 hours to help him make up the gap.

There are LOTS of ways a good SA can take care of his techs. This is clearly one of them.

Check Alldata for a clutch replacement on a Scion tC. The first time I did it, it took 4.5 hours. The third time 3.0. Bet their book time is more than twice that.

 

So I'm most likely the first IS-F owner with this issue ever.. Lexus corporate hasn't heard of this issue on this car ever yet. Anyways, Lexus Corporate backed up the dealership's offer so I'm stuck paying $1,400 for the labor costs while they cover the part.

I will request to keep the old starter though.

 

^^ will Lexus corp cover just the part cost if u take it elsewhere for labor?

 

^ hopefully with that much for labor, they are able to warranty the work should something bad ever happen again.

 

Highly doubtful.

Only for 1 year.

 

So the damages and the parts needed to replace the starter.

Lobuxracer I'll try to get the starter but Lexus Corp requested that they send it back to them. If they don't follow up with it then I'll come in and get it.

 

So you got it back today? That's got to be awesome! (unless you've had MK's F this whole time haha)

 

I returned Khoa's IS-F a few hours after we finished up our cruise. I've been driving a CT200h for pretty much everyday afterwards

 

Good to hear you got it fixed...

For other people that may find themsleves with this same issue..
You can buy the oem starter from Lexus for $520 (discounted), then just have to find an experienced installer
Part# 28100-38020

(non oem / new shown below)










(used from LS460 shown below)











~ Joe Z