Need advice on 3 issues?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
Likes: 19
From: California
Need advice on 3 issues?
Hope everyone is well n safe. I need advice. I have 2004 LS430 Sport Susoension with 175k miles. The car has been in California all of its life. I have got new motor mounts, trans mount, fuel filter, spark plugs, Vsv valve, PCV, clean MAF n TB, brakes, rotors, new gas cap oem, new radiator cap oem, new thermostat, and differential fluid.
Question1. Should I get O2 sensors? I don’t have any check engine lights n get 21 mpg. Should I wait till I get CEL or do it?
Question2. Should I get new VVT solenoids? I don’t think they’ve ever been changed?
Question3. I need new tires, should I get new front struts first and then get new tires?I wanna get Vredestein tires, does anyone have experience with these tires?
I’m planning to keep this car for a long time. I’m asking about these issues because I don’t want neglect n cause problems later on for example not change my O2 sensors n screw up my cats etc. Are O2 sensors and VVT solenoids parts that can last for the life of a car if The car is well maintained or is it like batteries n brakes, where eventually you have to due to wear?
thanks
Question1. Should I get O2 sensors? I don’t have any check engine lights n get 21 mpg. Should I wait till I get CEL or do it?
Question2. Should I get new VVT solenoids? I don’t think they’ve ever been changed?
Question3. I need new tires, should I get new front struts first and then get new tires?I wanna get Vredestein tires, does anyone have experience with these tires?
I’m planning to keep this car for a long time. I’m asking about these issues because I don’t want neglect n cause problems later on for example not change my O2 sensors n screw up my cats etc. Are O2 sensors and VVT solenoids parts that can last for the life of a car if The car is well maintained or is it like batteries n brakes, where eventually you have to due to wear?
thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 210
From: Florida
Hope everyone is well n safe. I need advice. I have 2004 LS430 Sport Susoension with 175k miles. The car has been in California all of its life. I have got new motor mounts, trans mount, fuel filter, spark plugs, Vsv valve, PCV, clean MAF n TB, brakes, rotors, new gas cap oem, new radiator cap oem, new thermostat, and differential fluid.
Question1. Should I get O2 sensors? I don’t have any check engine lights n get 21 mpg. Should I wait till I get CEL or do it?
Question2. Should I get new VVT solenoids? I don’t think they’ve ever been changed?
Question3. I need new tires, should I get new front struts first and then get new tires?I wanna get Vredestein tires, does anyone have experience with these tires?
I’m planning to keep this car for a long time. I’m asking about these issues because I don’t want neglect n cause problems later on for example not change my O2 sensors n screw up my cats etc. Are O2 sensors and VVT solenoids parts that can last for the life of a car if The car is well maintained or is it like batteries n brakes, where eventually you have to due to wear?
thanks
Question1. Should I get O2 sensors? I don’t have any check engine lights n get 21 mpg. Should I wait till I get CEL or do it?
Question2. Should I get new VVT solenoids? I don’t think they’ve ever been changed?
Question3. I need new tires, should I get new front struts first and then get new tires?I wanna get Vredestein tires, does anyone have experience with these tires?
I’m planning to keep this car for a long time. I’m asking about these issues because I don’t want neglect n cause problems later on for example not change my O2 sensors n screw up my cats etc. Are O2 sensors and VVT solenoids parts that can last for the life of a car if The car is well maintained or is it like batteries n brakes, where eventually you have to due to wear?
thanks
A bad VVT solenoid should have symptoms like rough idle, decrease in fuel economy, dirty oil, or CEL. (Expect a properly maintained LS430's VVT solenoids to function longer than a poorly maintained LS430 as lack of maintenance is a common cause of VVT solenoid failure. e.g. Dirty oil may result in sludge which may clog a VVT solenoid causing it to fail. The electronic portion of a VVT solenoid can also cause a failure.) If no symptoms.... That notwithstanding, if a VVT solenoid starts to fail it should be replaced quickly (an argument may be made to replace the VVT solenoid in both banks if one fails, especially if it is clogged.)
If front struts are bad they should be replaced. If not....
Like your choice of Vredestein for tires.
Personally, would just put new the new tires on if the struts are still good and remain alert to any future signs indicating action needs to be taken elsewhere.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 265
Likes: 72
From: New South Wales
Pretty much ditto. If everything is running fine, there is no need to replace either o2's or vvt solenoids.
That said if you have an obd scanner/adapter you can log the data from the O2's to see how the readouts behave on a drive relative to throttle position, rpm and airflow. If you know what to look for you sometimes you can pick up on a sensor beginning to read lazy but not badly enough to throw a code. Usually other symptoms appear like mpgs would be lower than normal and possibly random hesitations during acceleration.
When/if vvt solenoids ever go, you'll know something is wrong straight away with rough running and a CEL. They aren't hard to source or complicated to change.
Sounds like mpg is fine, no check engine so if everything is fine then just leave well enough alone and keep up the regular maintenance
That said if you have an obd scanner/adapter you can log the data from the O2's to see how the readouts behave on a drive relative to throttle position, rpm and airflow. If you know what to look for you sometimes you can pick up on a sensor beginning to read lazy but not badly enough to throw a code. Usually other symptoms appear like mpgs would be lower than normal and possibly random hesitations during acceleration.
When/if vvt solenoids ever go, you'll know something is wrong straight away with rough running and a CEL. They aren't hard to source or complicated to change.
Sounds like mpg is fine, no check engine so if everything is fine then just leave well enough alone and keep up the regular maintenance
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 215
From: Ontario, Canada
1) Wait till CEL before getting O2 sensors, unless you have spare money to spend on very marginal increases in efficiency.
2) No need to get new VVT solenoids as preventative maintenance unless you have spare money to throw around to mitigate the exceptionally low likelihood that a solenoid will fail AND leave you stranded somewhere with absolutely no warning. There is a thread here on how to clean the VVT oil filters, which I don't even think is necessary if you've been using the factory-specified oil (5W-30) and change intervals (5000mi/8000km). I've never had to clean my VVT oil filters, maybe will consider if it I'm really bored one day.
3) Get new front struts only if they are bad, and any other suspension-related work as needed. The more common ones are: lower control arm bushings, steering rack bushings, stabilizer bar bushings, stabilizer bar end links, and check all 4 wheel bearings for excessive play (with car on a lift, pull hard up down left right and twist too - if the hub bearing moves whatsoever, it's no good). Then get new tires on, then get an alignment immediately while the tires are still even. For non-winter use, I highly recommend the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
2) No need to get new VVT solenoids as preventative maintenance unless you have spare money to throw around to mitigate the exceptionally low likelihood that a solenoid will fail AND leave you stranded somewhere with absolutely no warning. There is a thread here on how to clean the VVT oil filters, which I don't even think is necessary if you've been using the factory-specified oil (5W-30) and change intervals (5000mi/8000km). I've never had to clean my VVT oil filters, maybe will consider if it I'm really bored one day.
3) Get new front struts only if they are bad, and any other suspension-related work as needed. The more common ones are: lower control arm bushings, steering rack bushings, stabilizer bar bushings, stabilizer bar end links, and check all 4 wheel bearings for excessive play (with car on a lift, pull hard up down left right and twist too - if the hub bearing moves whatsoever, it's no good). Then get new tires on, then get an alignment immediately while the tires are still even. For non-winter use, I highly recommend the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 878
Likes: 232
From: Arizona
I would start sourcing Sport shocks as they are different than regular. and would be at least aware that the transmission might have never been serviced at all. might want to fresh up the transmission fluid as many still believe it is "lifetime". Interesting that wikipedia says that the sport has bigger brakes "like standard in Europe" but this might not be true, never even seen a sport.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 299
From: WA
If OP's car was mine, I would agree with what everyone else has said about leaving O2 sensors and VVT alone. Thump up to JffGRY706 proposal to freshen up the transmission fluid, with 3 drain and fills. Replace the air filter, do an oil change and add a bottle of Techron to the gas before the drive to Utah. Replace the wiper blades if they are not perfect and top off the washer fluid reservoir. I like the RainX fluid.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
Likes: 19
From: California
Thanks, I love this forum. I replaced my rear shocks with 03 Sport Suspension shocks from mylparts.com. They were almost $100 cheaper than 04 shocks. I have Michelin MXM4 and they are pretty good.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 550
Likes: 172
From: DFW,TX
How's the ride? They are cheaper because the 01-03 uses a twin-tube design and the 04-06 uses a monutube. I used the standard 01-03 rear struts and the ride is really good. Do you hear the struts hissing over speed bumps?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
Likes: 19
From: California
The 03 sport struts ride great and I can’t tell the difference and there is no sounds from what I can tell.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 63
Likes: 19
From: California
That is the tire I’m looking to get. I have Michelin MXM4 on my car now but saw that they cost way more than the Vredestein. I live in Sacramento and want a tire that is quiet and lasts long and gives a good ride. I don’t care about rain or snow traction because Sacramento is warm with little precipitation.