well some of you know about this but the majority dont. Last week thursday water went into my intake and hydrolocked my engine. I took friday off, stayed home and tore the the engine apart. Pulled off the intake and all the plugs. Dried everything as best as I could. Car still wouldnt start. Picked up new plugs and an airfilter, did nothing. Just so happens my cousin (the mechanic in md) was coming up to visit that weekend. The next day we tore it apart again. Apparently there was still water in the intake that didnt come out from me cranking the engine with no plugs in. We had to use one of those flavor injector syringes with a vacuum hose to get the rest out. Car started, but wouldnt stay on. Also had a check engine light, dead maf. Called around, Gazi would be able to get me one at a great price but it would take a few days for shipping. I needed this asap, Lochan told me that Travis had one for a 96. My car is a 92 but i figured apart from being different the plugs would be the same so I would make it work, no such luck. Finally on sunday I was able to get a maf. Car starts and runs, but still it feels like its misfiring. The idle is also all over the place. Checked all the vacuum lines, couldnt find anything wrong. I gave up and decided to bring it to a shop.
Monday morning:
I call up the shop owner to tell him the story and let him know I am bringing the car in. He suspected off the bat that I bent a valve, suggested I do a compression test on all the cylinders. I did, and all the cylinders were decent except for #1. For that one I got a reading of 85psi. Called the shop owner and my cousin and they both agreed that its probably a bent valve. Before they were giving me 2 completely different answers so It was depressing that they agreed. So I have a 1uz with a bent valve and everybody, and i mean everybody I talk to suggests swapping instead of trying to open it up. The shop owner, Todd, and Gazi. Also started hearing how hard the swap is, Todd flat out said if it was a 2j or 1j I would gladly give you a hand but with the 1uz I dont want to touch it. He also suggested I consider getting another car instead. It was a very tough decision to make. I started looking at cars online and talking to Gazi and trukn, thanks btw for the words of encouragement and the advice. So now I had to consider what kind of car I want to get. While I loved my sc it wasnt a practical car (not that it was meant to be). When I got it I decided since Im young and I dont have a wife and kids I dont need a practical sedan. However this time around I figured i should get something with more trunkspace and 4 doors for when Im traveling with a group. So I started looking for a gs. I found a 2000 black on black gs4 in jersey. Went and test drove the car, fell in love. The only problem was the mileage was kinda high. Left with the salesman promising to contact me the next day. I called him, and he said while I should definately be able to get the car and he sees no problems that would prevent that from happening he would have to call me back before the day is over. Tuesday ends, no call. Wednesday still no call. I continued to look for other gs4. Found one at star toyota in bayside. Thursday I went there after work. The car was sold that day. Was looking at the other cars there, since I needed something asap. He showed me a 2002 avalon. Suggested it was a nice car, still has the powertrian warranty. I sat inside and hated it, after being in the sc the avalon dash looked weird and the whole car felt weird. He also showed me a 2000 5 series. I liked the tiptronic and all the usual bmw bells and whistles. Also test drove a 2004 tl. I knew the car was nice but it was waaay better than I expected. We drove to look at a 1999 ls4 that was out for service. This car had huuuge scratches down the side, didnt look like the owner took care of it at all. Went back and ran the numbers, the tl was out because I didnt want such high payments. So it was down to the avalon and the 5 series. I kept saying im going with the 5 series, they were saying ok but we cant certify that one and it has no warranty. Something weird started happening, I started thinking about which would be the more practical car. I ended up going with the avalon. So now I am the owner of a 2002 avalon xle with a powertrain warranty and 3 years bumper to bumper warranty and 1 year of service. So I was thinking well I have a reliable daily driver but I guess I will have to resign from neloc. Tony says no and I have no excuse to not be at carlilse next year, Todd says no but my car cant be in the group pictures. I was originally planning to part out the sc, but now I think I am going to keep it and make it my project car.

oh yea forgot to add the thank you list.
Thanks go out to:
Tony, Gazi, Todd, Lochan, Kevin, Carlos, and everyone else who offered help and support. Oh yea, sorry Blair still not doing a sc570

 

Hey H,

Like I said, just because you own an Avalon doesn't mean you shouldn't come out. Your still part of the family. So I hope to see you when we have another get together.

So pull that motor out and get that front clip by the spring time and you should be good.

 

As hard of a decision as this was for you to come to, as I told you before, you drive what suits you; not what others think you should drive. Bottom line, you have to do what your pockets can afford, irregardless of what I or ANYONE else in this forum may think. Owning a Lexus is a priviledge, not a requirement, mandate, whatever, and the fact that you owned one is more than alot of people can say for themselves. If you are so set on Lexus, then in time, I am sure that you will once again obtain another. In the meantime, your choice of automobile is exactly what it is,, your choice. The Avalon is definately a very dependible car, nice styling, and quite understated. I have seen some very nicely modded and very stylish ones as well. Just tint the windows, throw some HID's on her and evenually get some new shoes on her and she will serve you well. This car is definately something that I would rock in the event that I find myself in the same situation as you, or even pick up as a daily driver. Once again, you now have no excuse for not showing up at Carlisle . All this means is that we will have to reserve a executive area for you and some others like Benji(Q45, the kid with the Supra in NY,,cant think of his name,, been awhile, and some of the Tri-state VIP guys) whom we extend an open invitation to appear at Carlisle along with us next year. You are still a member of the Toyota family, and your car has very little to do with the person who actually DRIVES the machine. Just make sure you check in with your family, once in awhile, as I see already that you will be the newest member over at Toyotanation.com.

As far as the SC4 goes,, sorry to see her go in this manner, but as you said,, project time. Now you can fine tune her, mode the living daylights out of her and not have to worry about how am I gonna get to work in the morning b/c it is your only car.


Now with all of this having been said,, I have to do this,,,, no way around it at all,,, so here goes,,,,,

THIS THREAD IS USELESS WITHOUT PICS,,,SO POST UP OR RISK BEING BANNED,,,,,LOL!!!!

 

Well after driving the avalon to parsippany and back yesterday it grew on me alot. I like it alot now, thinking of taking the hids out of the sc and putting them in it, just have to check to see if that voids the warranty. Oh yea the windows were already tinted so thats done. I went over to toyotanation.com looking for mods but mostly found threads on repairing. Since I dont have to worry about that for a while I will probably just be here as usual. My friend with the evo suggested that we pull the sc motor and bring it to his house were we can keep it and rebuild it in his garage. I must say this is the first fwd, first 4 door, and only second automatic (besides the sc) that I have ever owned. Have to get used to that and the higher center of gravity than the other cars. The pics will be up this weekend, will probably do one side hid and the other regular and ask for your opinions.

 

hugh, ill take the sc off your hands, give me a shout. or if you need a motor for cheaps. holler

 

damn hugh, i heard about this and it sucks to lose another SC guy. doesnt matter if u drive a avalon..toyota and lexus are basically the same thing. good luck with fixing the motor.

 

Congrats on the pickup ! Most important thing is that YOU'RE happy.

 

LMAO Hugh, you of all people have to know that NELOC is much more about the people than the cars. Lexus automobiles are simply the reason we know each other...but the people in NELOC is what keeps us together.

I hope it will always remain this way too, and I think it will. Hec, I'm hoping my next car is a 911, and if I get it, I'm still coming to NELOC meets...in the Porsche.

So, CONGRATS on the purchase. Pix please. BTW, I've seen an incredible modded Avalon in MD....it looked so sweet that I actually followed the owner into a shopping center, and chatted with him about the car once he parked. It was a dark red Avalon with some nice 19" rims, dark limo-tinted windows and blacked-out taillights. It was cleaaaannnnnnn, and it looked mahvelous....as just those three mods totally transformed the look of that Avalon. So you got options.

 

Well at least you and Blair will have something to chat about, and trust me with him this is a subject the he will go on and on and on and on about; LOL!!!

 

Good Pick up... they are nice.. I thought some of the GS parts were interchangable?

 

Nice find Hugh, I wish the Crown Athlete was available here the latest Avalon reminds me of the crown..........anyway Toyota/Lexus FTW......

 

kidding.....kidding

 

AN Avalon!!!!
Please..around here in south florida, that's a junior Lexus. I'd jump on one too over a 5 Series that doesn't have a warranty. I've seen some sweet Avalons around here. Don't know how guys lower them, do they make springs for them? But wheels. They're nice with the right shoes.
You put some shoes on that thing and go right ahead to that meet.

 

parts might be interchangeable with gs you say. Will have to look in to that. I told myself im not modding this car at all but Im already looking in to what I can do.

oh yea Jimmy that avatar came from this video

http://www.break.com/index/hilarious-300-remix1.html

after watching that I was walking around the office singing this is sparta. Everyone thought I was crazy until they saw the video.

 

I would have taken the avalon over the 5-series as well. At least you know you've got yourself a reliable daily driver and something thats gonna be great on gas. Boy how i miss my camrys milage. LOL.

Anyway I hope we'll still see you at the meets when we come out.

If you decide to keep the SC I would get another motor from gazi and swap it in...