Keep or sell 05 LS430 with some issues?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
From: VA
Great response, helps narrow things down. Couple thoughts to help refine thinking more:
1) Drain/fill if 1st time at 154k will help but still leave it sluggish (only 1/3 of fluid changed, and fluid can be pretty cooked at that mileage). Please also verify they checked “full” level with engine running. Very common mistake by non-AT savvy mechanics. Add some Lubegard Red next time to condition valve body seals and clean internals. It works, it’s not expensive. If I get a car over 100k w/unknown AT history, I put a complete fresh fluid fill in it to establish a solid baseline of performance. If you got a car at 154k and you did not know when the engine oil was last changed, would you drain out 1.5 or 2 quarts and replace w/new to be safe, leaving the rest of the old oil in? F no, you would not. Same thing.
2) This car is heavy and at 156k the front can be worn out depending upon usage. Doesn’t sound odd it needs new suspension components. If the ride-height is correct (determined by springs, not shocks), just get some KYB cartridges and replace them up front. Get spring compressors, re-use the springs. Shocks may be bottoming out. The ES in my sig has 335k on it. Original springs and mounts up front, I just replace the shock cartridges when needed. Rides and drives great. In fact I have to go 3 hours to Portland on Sunday (then back); we discussed which car we would take (of all the ones in my sig) and we agreed the 02 ES with 335k was the most pleasant to take three hours each way for the day. My point: if you are tactical and smart about replacing the critical components and not just throwing a lot of parts at the problem, you can retain like-new performance at relatively low cost.
3) Since you know about mounts from your 98 ES, you understand the dynamics of the suspension. Makes me think 2) above is more correct since you have the background to discriminate.
Anyway, not saying I have all the answers but I love the thought and technical process of solving these problems and maybe something I add helps or if not, refines your thinking in the right direction. Solving problems is fun.
1) Drain/fill if 1st time at 154k will help but still leave it sluggish (only 1/3 of fluid changed, and fluid can be pretty cooked at that mileage). Please also verify they checked “full” level with engine running. Very common mistake by non-AT savvy mechanics. Add some Lubegard Red next time to condition valve body seals and clean internals. It works, it’s not expensive. If I get a car over 100k w/unknown AT history, I put a complete fresh fluid fill in it to establish a solid baseline of performance. If you got a car at 154k and you did not know when the engine oil was last changed, would you drain out 1.5 or 2 quarts and replace w/new to be safe, leaving the rest of the old oil in? F no, you would not. Same thing.
2) This car is heavy and at 156k the front can be worn out depending upon usage. Doesn’t sound odd it needs new suspension components. If the ride-height is correct (determined by springs, not shocks), just get some KYB cartridges and replace them up front. Get spring compressors, re-use the springs. Shocks may be bottoming out. The ES in my sig has 335k on it. Original springs and mounts up front, I just replace the shock cartridges when needed. Rides and drives great. In fact I have to go 3 hours to Portland on Sunday (then back); we discussed which car we would take (of all the ones in my sig) and we agreed the 02 ES with 335k was the most pleasant to take three hours each way for the day. My point: if you are tactical and smart about replacing the critical components and not just throwing a lot of parts at the problem, you can retain like-new performance at relatively low cost.
3) Since you know about mounts from your 98 ES, you understand the dynamics of the suspension. Makes me think 2) above is more correct since you have the background to discriminate.
Anyway, not saying I have all the answers but I love the thought and technical process of solving these problems and maybe something I add helps or if not, refines your thinking in the right direction. Solving problems is fun.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
From: VA
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