ls600h+ oxygen sensor = $2400?!?!
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Scandinavia
I would guess that many independent shops would pass on servicing the LS hybrid, as they lack any real understanding of the vehicle. My little Lexus dealer has not even sold an old hybrid, as they were such a limited production vehicle. A lot of risk purchasing am older luxury car, even if overall the brand is known for reliability. Costs can add up and fast. That’s the one benefit of buying an ES or Camry, as they are a dime a dozen.
Hotcakes. My 2013 LS600HL has never had a problem and my friends 2004 Prius has also never had a problem. My friend has changed his DU on his Model X 4 times in 3 years, so Lexus owners are lucky anyway.
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Its not as unusual for Toyota as you would think. 1UZ engines the starter is under the intake manifold and requires removal of the manifold and the coolant crossover pipe to replace it. The design of early 1UZ engines had the PS pump over top of the alternator, and the pump was prone to leaking, when they did leak they would foul the alternator. People would fashion plastic covers for the alternators made from milk jugs.
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Last edited by Toys4RJill; Feb 26, 2020 at 11:29 AM.
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From: Maryland
But you don't have to remove the entire engine and transmission to remove the starter. Where the starter is on the UZ is supposedly placed there for reliability reasons... The 1UZ leaking PS pump is a design defect when it leaks. Neither are comparable to this LS600h oxygen sensor design. Just my opinion. The placement and procedure to change the sensor is a very poor design....I don't how you can possibly justify it.
Point is, they learn. In the UR engines the starter is no longer located under the intake manifold. They moved the PS pump when the 1UZ was revamped. I bet you'll find that sensor isn't in the same location on the LS500h. Not trying to justify anything, there's just no point in complaining because they don't make this car anymore. The learning experience here is if you buy an old used LS600h be prepared for potentially significant repair costs, its NOT a Camry. If you aren't prepared for that do not buy one.
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Racer
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I've developed a little bit of anxiety here, but am hanging in there, given that I'm still under warranty for now... It is what it is, though the viewpoint I expressed early in the thread hasn't changed. It is very hard to justify having to remove an engine and transmission to change a sensor, and I say this as an engineer, not as a slightly-frightened owner of a 600!
Steve and others have covered this, and the answer is indeed no. However, to add a little more color, everything on this car runs off the hybrid system batteries. Most notably, there is no starter, and "starting battery" (term often used to refer to the 12V unit in the trunk) is a bit of a misnomer, in that all this battery does for starting is activate a bunch of relays so that the hybrid batteries can spin one of the electric motors and fire up the V8. Of course, it also keeps lights on, etc., when the system is off. But basically, if your hybrid system is gone, you can't start the engine.
A nice "benefit" is that in the summer time, I can sometimes pull into the garage, leave the car on for a bit longer, close the door and sit there enjoying air conditioning and a little music - engine off and no drain of the 12V battery, provided that the hybrid pack has enough charge.
Steve and others have covered this, and the answer is indeed no. However, to add a little more color, everything on this car runs off the hybrid system batteries. Most notably, there is no starter, and "starting battery" (term often used to refer to the 12V unit in the trunk) is a bit of a misnomer, in that all this battery does for starting is activate a bunch of relays so that the hybrid batteries can spin one of the electric motors and fire up the V8. Of course, it also keeps lights on, etc., when the system is off. But basically, if your hybrid system is gone, you can't start the engine.
A nice "benefit" is that in the summer time, I can sometimes pull into the garage, leave the car on for a bit longer, close the door and sit there enjoying air conditioning and a little music - engine off and no drain of the 12V battery, provided that the hybrid pack has enough charge.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
Steve and others have covered this, and the answer is indeed no. However, to add a little more color, everything on this car runs off the hybrid system batteries. Most notably, there is no starter, and "starting battery" (term often used to refer to the 12V unit in the trunk) is a bit of a misnomer, in that all this battery does for starting is activate a bunch of relays so that the hybrid batteries can spin one of the electric motors and fire up the V8. Of course, it also keeps lights on, etc., when the system is off. But basically, if your hybrid system is gone, you can't start the engine.
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Lexus Fanatic
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From: Maryland
Then what is the issue? Nothing can be done about the design of the car. All consumers can do is understand the realities surrounding the costs of owning a specific car and make decisions based on that.
The OP can clear the code and trade in the car if they don’t want to make the repair.
The OP can clear the code and trade in the car if they don’t want to make the repair.
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Lexus Fanatic
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From: Maryland
Lexus Fanatic
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: MA
Normally, Lexus of Northborough or Balise. Not as big as Lexus of Watertown or Herb Chambers.
I have used an independent up in N.H., I Think Jeff’s LexToy, they have come from Lexus dealers. Unfortunately it is quite a haul to bring my car up to them, so I have been trying others (as needed).
I have used an independent up in N.H., I Think Jeff’s LexToy, they have come from Lexus dealers. Unfortunately it is quite a haul to bring my car up to them, so I have been trying others (as needed).
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From: Maryland
The AWD lists the same procedure, but not the RWD. I think the issue here is the different exhaust design in the AWD car vs the RWD car (all 600h are AWD).
If you put the AWD vs RWD into repairpal the cost is dramatically less on the RWD.
If you put the AWD vs RWD into repairpal the cost is dramatically less on the RWD.
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Its a question of cost. Replacing the starter on a 400 or 430 is a $1,200 job and it should be a $350 job because of the design. "Supposedly for reliability reasons" well nobody knows what Toyota's reason is for this. You're accusing me of trying to justify this when you're justifying the other issues I've mentioned.
Point is, they learn. In the UR engines the starter is no longer located under the intake manifold. They moved the PS pump when the 1UZ was revamped. I bet you'll find that sensor isn't in the same location on the LS500h. Not trying to justify anything, there's just no point in complaining because they don't make this car anymore. The learning experience here is if you buy an old used LS600h be prepared for potentially significant repair costs, its NOT a Camry. If you aren't prepared for that do not buy one.
Point is, they learn. In the UR engines the starter is no longer located under the intake manifold. They moved the PS pump when the 1UZ was revamped. I bet you'll find that sensor isn't in the same location on the LS500h. Not trying to justify anything, there's just no point in complaining because they don't make this car anymore. The learning experience here is if you buy an old used LS600h be prepared for potentially significant repair costs, its NOT a Camry. If you aren't prepared for that do not buy one.
I agree if one doesn't understand what owning a flagship means then get the ES or a Camry and stop complaining parts/labor are a lot. If you want cheap parts and labor get a Crown Vic.
Last edited by Striker223; Feb 27, 2020 at 07:24 AM.