Hi all! So glad to join this group. I have an RX300 2001, that I love in every except for what it does to my pocketbook. I'm trying to figure out if I have a lemon, or am getting taken advantage of by the dealership, or if this is normal for wear and tear costs for the RX 300.

I bought used in 2007 with 39K miles. It now has 65K miles.
In 4/2008 (50K) the CEL came on and the dealership replaced both air fuel ratio sensors (codes P1150/P0171/P0174 & P1130 - cost = $ 562.10)

In 9/2008 (53K) the CEL came on again and the dealership replaced exhaust flex pipe/retaped 02 sensor holes and gaskets (cost =$936.83)

There has been other services on the car in between, but not related to the CEL.

Now (65K) the CEL is on again and the code is PO136 so they want to replace the 02 sensor again (cost = $650.00).

I told them to keep the f'ing car! I'm not sure what to do. Is it normal to have so many CEL issues?

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome Cindy.

With that amount of mileage, the answer is no. The sensors themselves are not cheap, about $150 or so, but the labor is what kills. However, competent mechanics (and even a lot of us on this forum) can change those sensors and take a look at the readings with a scanner ahead of time to see if something is really amiss.

I can tell you that I still have all my original air/fuel and O2 sensors despite living for 6 years in Mexico on some really awful gas, but given you've been in the U.S. they defintiely should not go that quickly.

It's conceivable that a batch of bad gas or temporary air temperature issue may have caused such issues. That's what I always recommend people take it somehwhere or buy a portable scanner or laptop attachment to see what the readings are (they pay for themselves and can be used on practically every vehicle).

The O2 sensor in question won't affect the driveability of the vehicle, but I'm sure from my 4 years of living in downtown Chicago and knowing emissions that will be a red flag on an emissions test.

With particular attention to the P0136 code, a scanner could show what kind of readings are on the sensor and in particular a freezeframe function to show the exact reading on that sensor at the time the CEL came on. Again, it could be anything from a real catalytic converter issue, a faulty O2 issue, bad gas, bad air, exhaust leak. I wish I could help each and every person directly ala Star Trek transporter, but the best we can do is say to have an independent mechanic read the Bank 1, Sensor 2 (that's the O2 sensor location in question) and see what readings are there first.

 

One other thing I should add is that there is (though it won't apply now as I'll explain) an 8 year/80K federal emissions warranty. Problem is what ever comes first 8 years or 80K miles. That would cover the components mentioned.

 

Cindy- Do you by any chance live in Chicago? Replace (one) A/F ratio sensor? That would be more than a little bit excessive in my book at $650. Was it the same dealer that replaced both of them for $562. less than 2 years ago? That is the rear sensor that is on the exhaust back at the firewall according to the code. A little harder to get to back there, but a loan shark doesn't make that kind of money in that little time. The info Lexmex gave you was as usual, spot on. That is NOT normal to have that kind of A/F ratio sensor problem in that kind of time frame. I'm betting that there are at least as many, if not more that have never had an A/F sensor replaced in the age and miles that you have. (probably a LOT more than 50% that haven't had one replaced in that # of miles) If you're dealing with the Lexus dealer, you need to find a GOOD, HONEST Toyota independent shop. that I'm betting would replace it for a lot less than that. Any Toyota dealer or independent shop that works on Toyota's can easily work on Lexus- not much difference at all. We have more than one really honest, competent independent Lexus/Toyota shops in this area. You may well be able to find one in your area too. HONESTY is the main issue! If they're HONEST, they're probably competent too.