MY 1996 Lexus LS 400 is driven only in the summer months and has 60K original miles. Typically not driven for long periods of time. A week ago I used used for some back and forth trips and drove roughly 250 miles in one day. Almost home the car acted like it wasn't getting any gas it sputtered a few times pumped the gas pedal but nothing. It would crank but not start acted like it was out of gas. Towed it home next day fired right up !! Drove it to my local Lexus dealer thinking I would use an expert rather than my local mechanic , no dummie lights on the dash everything functioning normal. Just got off the phone and he told me my alternator was bad and that was the problem. I'm not a mechanic but doesn't sound right to me. I also received recommendations to replace the timing belt ,water pump, and both lower ball Joints.

I don't mind the through look over but I don't think this is going to solve my problem

HELP !!

 

Welcome to Club Lexus. Try and read for any error codes. Old-bad gas may be a factor.

Timing belts tend to age fairly well but that is worth the check to see what condition it is in. Doesn't hurt to have that maintenance done since the car is 25 years old. One aspect to these is that many of the rubber parts may be experience age related issues so those are also worth the check to verify condition. The Lexus dealer is going to suggest all sorts of fixes so that depends how much you trust the tech to fix what really needs fixing.

 

They don't call the dealer a stealer for nothing. I recently took my son's Mercedes-Benz E500 to a local MB dealer for a safety recall on the sunroof. When I later stopped by to pick up the car, they advised me to get the brake done but then I told them I just did all 4 brakes myself a few months ago. They immediately changed their tune to "Oh, it's just an observation & a recommendation". Go figure!

In regards to your issue, it could very well be your fuel pump if it's still OG as the car is now 25 years old. If it is then you may want to change the fuel filter as well while at it.

 

I'm not saying for sure cuz I don't see or know the car, but when my alternators (2) started going bad on my 93 it felt like it was running out of fuel, both times. But I always had the battery light come on. As for his recommendations for the T-belt/water pump, that is regular maintenance and is well over due. The lower ball joints are a very bad design and I feel should be changed, even without looking at them. If the car only has 60K miles and you plan on keeping it, I would go with his recommendations whether it be done by the dealer, an independent shop, or yourself.