Hey guys, I just woke up to a tragedy. I turned my 1998 GS300 over, and I heard a minor "knock", which when I popped the hood, sounded like it came from the engine. I almost passed out. Now I know that I am to blame because I drove about 4k miles before getting another oil change. I have about 80k on my car now, and I didn't check the oil throughout the 4k miles since the last change. Now I'm thinking that I went low (although the oil lamp didnt come on), and screwed up my engine. I have no loss of power, just that annoying knocking. I don't know if I must get a new engine or what, this is the 1st time I'm experiencing this. I'm scared out of my mind to find out that I need a new engine. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE, OR SUGGESTIONS? SHOULD I GET A NEW ENGINE IF NEED BE, OR IS IT MORE ECONOMICAL TO JUST TRADE THE CAR IN? I love my car, and I want to keep it, but if that means spending 7k on an engine for a 98, I don't think that'll be in the cards....PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If your oil is low, add some oil and then go get an oil change or do one yourself. you can look in the oil that drained out and check for any metal. I've seen an LS400 run on really low oil and it didn't do any damage to the engine.

Some other's with more engine experience will probably be able to chime in and help you more with this. Where abouts are you hearing the knocking sound from?

 

4K is not that much to be driving between oil changes. I typically get an oil change every 5K miles on all of my vehicles. So unless you are for some reason burning thru it, there should not be a normal reason why you would be low enough to be dangerous.

What type of knock are you hearing? Continuous, like with every cycle of the engine?

 

Is the engine running but just getting a knocking niose or di you stop cranking it when you heard the knocking?? If it is running is the noise a minor tick ( add oil and see if it goes away)
if a loud knock that increases when the car is rev'ed?? I would not drive it anywhere, get it towed to a shop.
Maybe timing chain ?? it should be good untill about 90K

 

Just to verify - is it definitely a knocking and not a ticking - like your lifters as opposed to a thrown rod??

Jonny

 

Judging by the way he SOUNDS I'm guessing he doesnt have a TON of experience judging engine SOUNDS.
I would check the oil and see if its low.If it is add some and listen again.
If it still makes the noise shut it down ASAP and get someone to look at it that knows what they are doing.Wether it be by taking it to a shop or getting an EXPERIENCED friend to come out to the car and look at it.

 

what kind of gas are u using? 4k miles even on dino oil isnt really that far out...

 

I went to Strauss 2 days ago, and a mechanic there (who also owns a Lexus and works on his own car) said that it sounds like the waterpump going. He took the belt off, and the noise stopped. I'm gonna take it to Lexus to for a 2nd opinion. As far as gas, I ALWAYS use 93 (premium), nothing less. SO I'm thinking that due to the mileadge, the waterpump/timing belt is about to give out, being that I didnt change it @ 60k....In the meantime, I had the oil changed again, and put a thicker oil in, to play it "safe"

 

FYI,
If it is the water pump, check Carson Toyota or Park Place Lexus Plano I have found they can get for $110 -130. My local Lexus dealer wants $168.

 

That's great news and makes sense.

How are you playing it safe? Depending on how thick you went, now you could damage your motor, esp if you keep your car outside, in the NY winter. I run Mobil1 5W-30 in the winter and 10W-30 in the summer. My GS has 85K miles, never burns even a 1/2 quart every 6K miles (then I change it). I would never use any other weights in my cars (GS and Vette).

 

Hope all works out. On another side, back in 94 I leased my 1st lex a gs 3. I put this car through all sorts of abuse,cause it wasn't mine,lol. Anyway I NEVER changed the oil from 20,000 miles all the way till I returned the car with 128,000 miles . Everytime I heard the motor knock I would just add oil. This car ran flawlessly till the end. I wanted to see if I could wreck some part of the drivetrain, but it didn't work. That's why I own another one, and will always have a lex in my driveway. Just built like "tanks",(that what my friends used to call it). My new baby get's her oil changed every 3,000 miles

 

My bad, they DID put 10W-30 in. . . so now my objective is to get the waterpump and belt for a great price. I'm in NYC, so I'm gonna assume that I can find a better price for those parts than Lexus of Manhattan/Bay Ridge Lexus can give me? Any suggestions? I hear you guys talk about Carson Toyota, where is it? And can I just order over the phone/online?

 

DO you mean a timng belt. is is Carson Toyota site

http://www.l-tunedparts.com/index.php
Call 1-800-908-6968 just ask for parts ( Steve,Luis or gordon)
I have had good luck w/ this site for Lexus parts lately, http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=213808 Some thngs are alittle cheaper than Carson just a little hard finding your parts on their site.

 

Exactly Gil, the timing belt. I believe that they usually change both ... Carson Toyota has good prices on those parts?

 

Give them (Carson) a call they are ALWAYS cheaper than my local dealer. I just check w/ Park Place Lexus: $55 timing chain, $105 water pump.