Hi guys,
I am new to the forum, always want to buy a ls430, heard plenty of good things about this vehicle. I've read a lot of threads on the forum, but I still need some help!
Now I am looking at a ls430 2003 with 150k mile, base model without air suspension, no accident, selling around $4000. However, it does have a check engine light. I talked to the owner on the phone, he said he had some mechanics checked it, they said it might be an exhaust leak somewhere, but couldn't find the leak, checked oxygen sensors, they are fine. They basically checked everything, just couldn't fix it. He can't remember the DTC code, but he told me the car runs perfect mechanically. Erase the code, it will come back in a week.
Also, it has a hole in the upper part of the gas tank(he can only fill half tank of gas each time), will that cause the check engine light? Also, is the gas tank expensive to fix?
I asked about service history, he has all the receipts, changed oil every 5-8k miles, but never changed spark plugs and timing belt.
Do you guys think it's a buying?

Thanks a lot!

 

I would definitely walk away from that car. The hole in the gas tank could be extremely dangerous if the car was in a collision; the gas vapors are explosive and the car could literally be a death trap. The hole in the tank could also be the root cause of the check engine light. I would continue looking, spend more for a better car. Also, at 150K miles it is long overdue for a new timing belt and water pump. An ON car might have rust issues, inspect carefully any car coming from that part of the world before purchasing.

 

I agree and walk away.

 

Avoid like the plague.

 

Hole in tank is odd.
Is it expensive to fix? ......a fuel tank out of another one - price on ebay but approx $200ish will give you a ballpark plus 2-3 of hours labour to drain fuel, swap pump, sender and filters across.

However a leaky fuel tank is odd in this day and age. More questions needed as to why it is leaking, or more likely, IF in fact it is really leaking at all.

Perhaps the "leaking" may have more to do with a blocked up fuel vapour circuit (VSV circuit is quite common system to get blocked at this age on 3uz, can throw engine code but not always throw a code. - luckily an easy to clean or replace type fix) and or perhaps an aging fuel cap has stopped working correctly meaning it may smell like gas when full as opposed to an actual real life fuel leak - dripping fuel everywhere type leak.

If I were you and liked the car enough, I would pay my own trusted independent mechanic to take a quick look at it. Diagnosis by text over the internet is definitely no substitute for a knowledgeable set of in person eyeballs.

 

My first thought its to run away from it, but if you really like it, have it looked at by your own mechanic and price out how much it will cost to fix.

 

A tank is somewhat complex on these and any leak will trigger an Evap code, to replace the tank you need to drop a lot of stuff out of the way.

As asked above why was it leaking? That's quite strange

 

Guys, thank you so much for the suggestions! I will not buying that vehicle. It's really not that easy to find a good used ls430.
I'll continue shopping around!

 

I see you are located in Ontario. Although these are great cars, most of them in ON do have problems by now as a result of road salt. Mostly you will find the doors are starting to rust around the chrome trim. Ours has the same fate, despite rigorous upkeep and annual oil spray. Make sure you inspect for that. Our fuel tank also rusted through last year and was a very costly repair. Height sensor linkages failed as a result of corrosion as well.

This is our 3rd LS, and I love these cars but 20 years in ON climate is a long time. See if you can find a vehicle from the SW USA. Or maybe one that was never driven in winter. BC cars are also very good candidates.