Hi

I just got a 2007 ls460l fully loaded . I gave it a service new spark plugs and new air filters . It was properly maintained by the previous owner. But the power output compared to my 2010 ls460l Fully loaded. Is noticeable especially at the top end like the vvti didn't kick in. Being the 07 did not hold against the 2010.
​​​Can some suggest a way to diagnose the reason. No CEL. 161000 miles bought mileage

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It may need the throttle body cleaned. Might as well give it a new mass air flow sensor while you're at it. I just did both to my 04 LS430 and it really helped the power, and has similar miles - 163k.

 

That's what I am going to do next. Btw the 07 trans can be a little jerky . The 2010 ls does not have this problem. I think it may need trans update firmware.

 

Well it does have 161,000 miles, I'd factor that into the equation. Engines are going to show some wear above 150,000 miles, it's ability to breath will be lessened once it starts to show ring wear. But it still will perform reasonably well usually above 300,000 as long as you take care of it.

I'd also consider the sparkplugs you used, are they factory? Cars are very finicky nowadays regarding plugs, aftermarket plugs has caused problems with many manufacturers. But engines that are older tend to lose a little of their compression and then they will lose that quickness or snappy feel (although you said your problem was more top end).

The worse thing that can happen to the older LS is a small number of people have had valve guide wear issues which cause a noise that is loud enough for the knock sensors to kick in and retard the timing, causing a dramatic lag and loss of power. I doubt that's the problem, but if it is? Trade the car in ASAP...it's a $10,000 dollar repair to replace those heads.

 

the 07 LS was a CPO back in 2010. So the dealer had to be sure there was nothing major.

 

I wouldn't rely terribly on that. Not only is that often a cursory inspection by many dealers, but it also was some 6 to 7 years ago and stuff happens in the meantime.

 

You are right . so the possible culprit is MAF sensor . BTW my 2010 has 153k miles but it has more top end than my 07 LS . My 07 LS is getting smoked by an LS 430 WTF .

 

If you're getting smoked by a 430, then there's definitely something wrong. As for the MAF, they seldom if ever need cleaning. I cleaned mine, but they were spotless.

 

My 2007 (85000 miles) was not significantly different from my 2014 (25000 miles), performance wise. There were transmission firmware TSBs issued for the '07 which were probably included by 2010.

 

Stupid thing, but check your gas. I bought some Wawa gas once that my 07 hated. It made the thing run horribly. Had no power at all.

 

I have my doubts the MAF sensor is the culprit. At the very least, the MAF sensor is only 1 of a vast amount of things that could be going wrong. The way you describe the problem, it sounds as if the VVTi(E) systems may not be working properly. I would find a way to check for codes. If some system in the engine weren't working properly, I would have to believe a code would be set.


Jason

 

I agree 100%, fuel is often the cause of mysterious driveability problems, misfires and power loss. It's amazing what bad fuel can do rather quickly.

 

Update i just checked the service history. Can someone tell if this is the issue of the power loss. Luckily all recalls have been done. but in my car no CEL as of right now.

SERVICE: INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC FEE
DESCRIPTION: INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC FEE ~ ~INITIAL
DIAGNOSTIC FEE ~ ~ ~ ~158332 CAM GEARS 100 FOUND THAT
INTAKE CAM GEAR ACTUATORS WERE NOT ACTUATING,
FOUND CODE P0012. CHECKED ALL THE WIRING TO MAKE
SURE POWERS AND GROUNDS WERE NORMAL. REMOVED
THE CAM GEAR MOTORS AND CHECKED THE CAM GEARS,
FOUND THAT THEY WERE HARD TO SPIN(TH


SERVICE: INTAKE GEARS
DESCRIPTION: INTAKE GEARS ~ ~ ~ ~,CUSTOMER
DECLINED SERVICE ‑NO REASON STATED

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

SERVICE: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP GASKETS
DESCRIPTION: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP GASKETS ~ ~
~ ~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE ‑NO REASON STATED

 

I would say that anything effecting cams would effect power.

 

Seems like this guy above here was on to something.

And yes, certainly that could be affecting your performance. The point of a VVT system is that with a broad range of rpm available, if valve timing is fixed, the engine will operate most (power) efficienctly over a short range of rpm. That particular range depends on a lot of factors (valve size / valve timing / number of valves / displacement of the valve, etc). But with VVT, that rpm range of efficiency is enlarged. Engines now can run very nicely at idle and low rpm, and can run like a S.O.B. at top end also. Where as 40 years ago, not so.

Of course you, or all you guys probably know this, but these old school cars you see / hear around sometimes that "lope" at idle ... meaning, it sounds like they might stall out at any time, these cars have fixed valve timing. The old school guys kind of like that loping. Me ... I think I'm just OK with it, but it just sounds like it's struggling to me. Buy anywho - that loping engine runs like crap at idle because it is built to run efficiently at high rpm. And that loping is what VVT avoids. Or, it could be looked at this way. Without the VVT, it might idle and run good around town, but when at full throttle, just like in your car's case, it will not perform so well at high rpm.

I'm guessing whatever that problem was, was either not fixed, or has reared it's ugly head again.


Jason