Broken Valve Spring Problems on LS-460
02-24-08, 07:57 AM
#31
Lexus Test Driver
LSGuyPA - for your convenience, I am repeating your original post:
Now - based on what you said above,
1. Your problem was diagnosed as a broken valve spring.
2. Your defective valve spring was fixed.
3. You complained to Lexus that they should replace your car.
So - based on this thread, and the statements you yourself made, readers were led to believe you had a problem, it got fixed, and then you decided Lexus should give you a new car. That being the case, it's not hard to understand the reactions you got.
Now you tell us you had oily spark plugs and other issues, so maybe there IS more damage. Had that been disclosed in the beginning, you probably would have gotten more sympathy, but since we're just now hearing this, it's more understandable that you're miffed.
What I haven't seen yet is a report on how the car is doing now. Is it running properly? Is it making any funny noises? Is it burning oil? Is there water in the oil, or oil in the water? Is there any other reason to think the car has damage that hasn't been repaired?
.
.
I am curious how many incidents have been seen with broken valve springs on 2007-8 LS-460s.
I have a 2008 LS-460 with 1250 miles (only 4 weeks old). Driving down the road the car suddenly began lurching uncontrollably and all the gauges (anti-skid, check engine and ! indicator) lit up and the car barely idled. The dealer had me drive it 5 miles to the dealership and they found it was a broken valve spring. After a week they replaced the valve spring.
Needless to say I did not expect this after a month so I complained to Lexus that I think they need to replace the car. After meeting with a factory rep this morning they essentially told me that the repair was good enough and they would not do anything else. This is astonishing given the price of the car and almost new state.
I have since done research and am finding that there have been other occurences of broken valve springs in the 07-08 models.
Have others of you heard the same? I am suspicious that this is a bigger problem than Lexus wants to admit to avoid a costly recall.
After 10 years as a loyal Lexus owner I will never buy another one.
I have a 2008 LS-460 with 1250 miles (only 4 weeks old). Driving down the road the car suddenly began lurching uncontrollably and all the gauges (anti-skid, check engine and ! indicator) lit up and the car barely idled. The dealer had me drive it 5 miles to the dealership and they found it was a broken valve spring. After a week they replaced the valve spring.
Needless to say I did not expect this after a month so I complained to Lexus that I think they need to replace the car. After meeting with a factory rep this morning they essentially told me that the repair was good enough and they would not do anything else. This is astonishing given the price of the car and almost new state.
I have since done research and am finding that there have been other occurences of broken valve springs in the 07-08 models.
Have others of you heard the same? I am suspicious that this is a bigger problem than Lexus wants to admit to avoid a costly recall.
After 10 years as a loyal Lexus owner I will never buy another one.
1. Your problem was diagnosed as a broken valve spring.
2. Your defective valve spring was fixed.
3. You complained to Lexus that they should replace your car.
So - based on this thread, and the statements you yourself made, readers were led to believe you had a problem, it got fixed, and then you decided Lexus should give you a new car. That being the case, it's not hard to understand the reactions you got.
Now you tell us you had oily spark plugs and other issues, so maybe there IS more damage. Had that been disclosed in the beginning, you probably would have gotten more sympathy, but since we're just now hearing this, it's more understandable that you're miffed.
What I haven't seen yet is a report on how the car is doing now. Is it running properly? Is it making any funny noises? Is it burning oil? Is there water in the oil, or oil in the water? Is there any other reason to think the car has damage that hasn't been repaired?
.
.
08-16-08, 04:46 PM
#32
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Since the Lexus mech who posts here doesn't seem to want to go here, My understanding is that this engine is an interference design.
This simply means that if the timing between the valve train and the crankshaft is not maintained, the valve can physically contact the top of the piston, resulting in major physical damage, including bent valve stems, damaged valve heads, piston damage, and assorted metal pieces floating around in the cylinder head.
At the very least, I would expect a full teardown and inspection of the head, the valve train, the piston top, and the cylinder walls on the cylinder in the bank that suffered the failure. An extension of the warranty would also be in order, if for no other reason than as a goodwill gesture.
After all, Lexus designed the engine with the full knowledge that this could happen, and a broken valve spring in a new engine certainly points to a parts problem.
Vern
This simply means that if the timing between the valve train and the crankshaft is not maintained, the valve can physically contact the top of the piston, resulting in major physical damage, including bent valve stems, damaged valve heads, piston damage, and assorted metal pieces floating around in the cylinder head.
At the very least, I would expect a full teardown and inspection of the head, the valve train, the piston top, and the cylinder walls on the cylinder in the bank that suffered the failure. An extension of the warranty would also be in order, if for no other reason than as a goodwill gesture.
After all, Lexus designed the engine with the full knowledge that this could happen, and a broken valve spring in a new engine certainly points to a parts problem.
Vern
Last edited by tvdias; 08-16-08 at 04:52 PM.
08-17-08, 09:58 AM
#33
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This is scary
I sympathize with the OP.
This kind of failure must not happen.
No one can say what kind of damage is likely to happen. I had a spring broke on a Nissan patrol, a tiny piece fall inside the cylinder and lead to catastrophic failure of the engine block.
I heard also it happened to others but with little consequences than I had.
how can you not maintain the timing with electronics.
I think he has a material defect in the spring.
I don't know why the mechanic does not say more.
I sympathize with the OP.
This kind of failure must not happen.
No one can say what kind of damage is likely to happen. I had a spring broke on a Nissan patrol, a tiny piece fall inside the cylinder and lead to catastrophic failure of the engine block.
I heard also it happened to others but with little consequences than I had.
This simply means that if the timing between the valve train and the crankshaft is not maintained
I think he has a material defect in the spring.
I don't know why the mechanic does not say more.
02-02-09, 04:36 PM
#34
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LS460failure posted by LSGuyPA
This is my first time visiting this forum. I found it by googling "Lexus valve spring." It is impressive.
Just like LSGuyPA's experience, I was driving my 2007 LS460L (42,000 miles), when all of a sudden it started shaking, and all kinds of emergency lights came on. I pulled over and called Lexus, and they had me call for a tow truck. That was two days ago, and they have just called me to tell me it has a broken valve spring. Since that is like speaking a foreign language to me, I am trying to do some research.
They said on the phone that they do not know what caused this to happen, but it sounds like there have been others with this problem. I have been driving the Lexus 400 series since 1997 (this is my third one), and this is the first time I have been stranded, which really concerns me. One of the reasons my husband has bought the Lexus for me is because of its dependability. If it had happened on a freeway, or on a less-well-traveled road at night, I would have been frantic.
This car has been in the shop in the two years I have owned it more than the others were in 10 years. They have had to make several attempts to correct wind noise, then several attempts to correct a noise in the brakes. I certainly expect to have minor problems, but to have a car have a major breakdown with no warning is not something I expected with a Lexus product.
I appreciated reading the comments from others concerning the possible problems that this broken valve spring may have caused.
Just like LSGuyPA's experience, I was driving my 2007 LS460L (42,000 miles), when all of a sudden it started shaking, and all kinds of emergency lights came on. I pulled over and called Lexus, and they had me call for a tow truck. That was two days ago, and they have just called me to tell me it has a broken valve spring. Since that is like speaking a foreign language to me, I am trying to do some research.
They said on the phone that they do not know what caused this to happen, but it sounds like there have been others with this problem. I have been driving the Lexus 400 series since 1997 (this is my third one), and this is the first time I have been stranded, which really concerns me. One of the reasons my husband has bought the Lexus for me is because of its dependability. If it had happened on a freeway, or on a less-well-traveled road at night, I would have been frantic.
This car has been in the shop in the two years I have owned it more than the others were in 10 years. They have had to make several attempts to correct wind noise, then several attempts to correct a noise in the brakes. I certainly expect to have minor problems, but to have a car have a major breakdown with no warning is not something I expected with a Lexus product.
I appreciated reading the comments from others concerning the possible problems that this broken valve spring may have caused.
02-03-09, 08:46 AM
#36
Lexus Test Driver
.
.
02-04-09, 09:45 AM
#37
Personally, I find it interesting that a fix, for "hesitation on acceleration" is to replace the cylinder heads (which clearly includes the valve springs).
L-SB-0033-08 Rev1: 07-08 LS 460: Hesitation on Acceleration
It would be "interesting" to know if the folks who have had valve spring failures also fall into the affected VINs of this TSIB.
Coincidence ?? Who Knows ??
L-SB-0033-08 Rev1: 07-08 LS 460: Hesitation on Acceleration
It would be "interesting" to know if the folks who have had valve spring failures also fall into the affected VINs of this TSIB.
Coincidence ?? Who Knows ??
02-10-09, 03:18 PM
#38
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Broken Valve Spring
I am curious how many incidents have been seen with broken valve springs on 2007-8 LS-460s.
I have a 2008 LS-460 with 1250 miles (only 4 weeks old). Driving down the road the car suddenly began lurching uncontrollably and all the gauges (anti-skid, check engine and ! indicator) lit up and the car barely idled. The dealer had me drive it 5 miles to the dealership and they found it was a broken valve spring. After a week they replaced the valve spring.
Needless to say I did not expect this after a month so I complained to Lexus that I think they need to replace the car. After meeting with a factory rep this morning they essentially told me that the repair was good enough and they would not do anything else. This is astonishing given the price of the car and almost new state.
I have since done research and am finding that there have been other occurences of broken valve springs in the 07-08 models.
Have others of you heard the same? I am suspicious that this is a bigger problem than Lexus wants to admit to avoid a costly recall.
After 10 years as a loyal Lexus owner I will never buy another one.
I have a 2008 LS-460 with 1250 miles (only 4 weeks old). Driving down the road the car suddenly began lurching uncontrollably and all the gauges (anti-skid, check engine and ! indicator) lit up and the car barely idled. The dealer had me drive it 5 miles to the dealership and they found it was a broken valve spring. After a week they replaced the valve spring.
Needless to say I did not expect this after a month so I complained to Lexus that I think they need to replace the car. After meeting with a factory rep this morning they essentially told me that the repair was good enough and they would not do anything else. This is astonishing given the price of the car and almost new state.
I have since done research and am finding that there have been other occurences of broken valve springs in the 07-08 models.
Have others of you heard the same? I am suspicious that this is a bigger problem than Lexus wants to admit to avoid a costly recall.
After 10 years as a loyal Lexus owner I will never buy another one.
02-22-18, 02:25 AM
#40
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I
I am curious how many incidents have been seen with broken valve springs on 2007-8 LS-460s.
I have a 2008 LS-460 with 1250 miles (only 4 weeks old). Driving down the road the car suddenly began lurching uncontrollably and all the gauges (anti-skid, check engine and ! indicator) lit up and the car barely idled. The dealer had me drive it 5 miles to the dealership and they found it was a broken valve spring. After a week they replaced the valve spring.
Needless to say I did not expect this after a month so I complained to Lexus that I think they need to replace the car. After meeting with a factory rep this morning they essentially told me that the repair was good enough and they would not do anything else. This is astonishing given the price of the car and almost new state.
I have since done research and am finding that there have been other occurences of broken valve springs in the 07-08 models.
Have others of you heard the same? I am suspicious that this is a bigger problem than Lexus wants to admit to avoid a costly recall.
After 10 years as a loyal Lexus owner I will never buy another one.
I have a 2008 LS-460 with 1250 miles (only 4 weeks old). Driving down the road the car suddenly began lurching uncontrollably and all the gauges (anti-skid, check engine and ! indicator) lit up and the car barely idled. The dealer had me drive it 5 miles to the dealership and they found it was a broken valve spring. After a week they replaced the valve spring.
Needless to say I did not expect this after a month so I complained to Lexus that I think they need to replace the car. After meeting with a factory rep this morning they essentially told me that the repair was good enough and they would not do anything else. This is astonishing given the price of the car and almost new state.
I have since done research and am finding that there have been other occurences of broken valve springs in the 07-08 models.
Have others of you heard the same? I am suspicious that this is a bigger problem than Lexus wants to admit to avoid a costly recall.
After 10 years as a loyal Lexus owner I will never buy another one.
02-22-18, 03:18 PM
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Boogie. This is a nearly 10 year old thread. You're not likely to get an answer. LOL
did your car have the recall done? If so, you shouldn't have any further isues
did your car have the recall done? If so, you shouldn't have any further isues
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