Hello guys, I recently purchased a 2008 LS460. I got it from Manhiem As is. I didn’t see it in person it was in another state.

it has 203k miles, the pictures at the auction showed nothing was wrong, except some cosmetic damage.

when I got and cranked it, the first thing I heard was a woozing sound, I think from the transmission. And I put it in reverse and no movement. In drive it works but doesn’t shift into high gears. Its a RWD so the transmission is significantly more expensive than the AWD trans.

i added some oil to the transmission but it didn’t help, also heavy white smoke started going out of the tailpipes.

I love the car, but im debating just selling it or get a donor car and replace what’s damaged.

if I go with a donor car, do I need to program the transmission or something like that? Also what years should I look for for the donor car?


all the help is appreciated

 

Sell it. Looks like it's a dumpster fire.

 

actually it has good service records, attached. It has two codes for pressure selnoid d and g and Abs malfunctio.

 

Transmission gone PLUS abs codes? I rest my case.

 

A second vote to sell it.

 

From your description it doesn't even seem like a decent donor car, third for selling it.

 

Where exactly did you add oil to the transmission? The trans fill plug is on the driver side of the transmission housing under the car... there's no access from the engine bay. Lexus got rid of transmission dipsticks with the refreshed LS430 (2004) all for the LS460's are "sealed" units and the fluid is supposed to be lifetime.

Yes you have to do an trans ECU reset with Techstream. You have to reset the computer and then drive in a specific way for 10-15 min.

If you have a 2nd car, and your set on keeping this one, I'd tow it to a trans shop, have them rebuild the trans for $4000-ish. Then you know you've got a good transmission. If you're going to have to pay someone else to fix this for you this is going to be expensive... if you're a experienced toyota/lexus garage mechanic then looks like you've got a new project vehicle. Sorry that your new-to-you car has problems.

 

yes that’s exactly where I pumped the oil. I only paid 4k for the thing. Appreciate your valuable reply

 

but I still love it😭

 

Ditch it. That's beyond saving and unless it's a seriously special car to you there is no point

 

You guys are right it is dumpster fire any one wants it? I’m in the Savannah area

 

Not trying to be rude but....for 4k whoever sold it to you knew it was worthless. If worst case scenario you have transmission/engine and brake actuator problems you're better off just looking for another one

 

I’m thinking of getting a salvaged one for around 1k and get the powertrain from it. I have access to a lift and a friend mechanic.

 

Well since apparently you don't need this car for daily transportation and you have a lift, I guess you can take it on as a project. It can be a satisfying (but also frustrating) endeavor.

 

So my idea is to get a newer LS but crashed. And get the powertrain and all the components out of it. I can get up to 2017 and still have the same powertrain?