Have a question, two months ago i bought a 2000 rx awd w/ 115k for around 9k. I had to do alot to it, it was a one owner, and although the car fax showed dealer maintained, that was apparently for mostly oil changes. I talked to the lexus dealer it was brought to (by phone since it had spent its life in florida) and did get the run down on some stuff that had been done. One was a air/fuel ratio sensor, now the other one has gone ----I take it locally to a import (lexus/toyota/honda) specialist who has taken good care of me) but still the CEL came on and it is now the "other", air/fuel ratio sensor, how often do these go? My mechanic said they usually last awhile but this site is excellent for real life advice..
I now have to to spend 380.00 w/labor to fix this sensor...now on its own that's not much but when you combine it with the new tires/rear brakes/all new filters/fluid changes/alignment/rear main seal/valve cover gaskets/tranny pan gasket/new antenna mast/butterfly valve cleaning..... and last but not least a new HVAC fan system--since it appeared that the previous owner "never changed the in cabin air filter causing the fan motors to fail" and replacing that involves taking the dash off... I spent around 3400.00 BEFORE this CEL light went on, I am a little worried. How long do these "sensors" last? I realilze the CEL's can mean different things but how long do these "air/fuel sensors" last? The other one was done at 105k (before I got it) Alot of the things i fixed i realize come from higher mileage and wear and tear, (brakes, rear main, gaskets, tires etc) but i gave up a 96 eclipse w/ 95k on it that really didn't have any issues except i had replaced the tranny... so now even though i love the rx, i can't help but question... HELP!!!

 

Check this out:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=329187

Salim

 

Hi,as far as the air/fuel sensors,they should be replaced in pairs.Reason is, a new one gets a more accurate reading, wich throws off the data, and burdens the old sensor,causing it to fail.Now,I have done research on this,and supposedly premium fuel will help them to last longer.Burns cleaner maybe,plus the system is set up for premium fuel.(as far as computer data etc.)Also,if you ever get a code for the knock sensor,definately replace them in pairs too.Or it will be the same scenario,and you dont want to go through all that dismantling all over again.Hope this information helps.As far as your RX is concerned,should last you quite a while now.

 

Thanks for the info, but here in Colorado unfortunately our BASE unleaded is only 85 octane, i was hoping to get away with mid grade since I commute 140 miles roundtrip 3 days a week. Thats what i had been running, hope that truly wasn't the cause...and with gas possibly approaching (for base) 3.50-4.00, premium could really hurt. Really want to keep the RX, but one reason I got rid of the eclipse was because it required prem due to the turbo. Was hoping to get away with midgrade (87-89). As far as doing it in pairs, i figure the other one was just done at 105 and i am at 116k, plus can't afford both right now, so keep your fingers crossed!

 

I hear ya,I know it can be expensive.You should be fine using mid grade with your altitude.