IS 250 Engine reliability
01-08-17, 10:12 AM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Ok so everyone says i cant do anything about carbon build up issue. Well, I am a fighter, and so here is my plan with my beautiful 2007 is250 that has 89k miles and runs perfectly with never a carbon build up issue...yet:
1) I change oil and filter myself using high quality filter and full synthetic high quality 5w30 oil every 5k miles.
2) Use only premium unleaded Chevron or Shell (in California our gas sucks, but I am told they are they best we can get out here)
3) Throw a can of seafoam or Chevron Techron, etc. in the full gas tank once in a while
4) Dont drive it like an old man (which I kinda am feeling like at 56 lol), and dont be afraid to redline it after it is warmed up and/or to "burn the carbon out" by gettin on it out in the country. I commute to work 30 miles and can take the back roads out in the wide open flatland's where i can get her up to a nice burnin speed. One guy said this about the is250, "a redline a day keeps the mechanic away"
5) I have purchased a cheap $9 borescope on ebay that is amazingly high quality for so cheap. I bought new intake valve cover gaskets and when they arrive, I am going to remove my intake valve cover and carefully insert my borescope and inspect the tops and stems of the intake valves (which is where the cbu issue occurs). If I see they are clean, I will continue to steps 1, 2, 3, and possibly a little of 4 above. if they're dirty...Plan B...
1) I change oil and filter myself using high quality filter and full synthetic high quality 5w30 oil every 5k miles.
2) Use only premium unleaded Chevron or Shell (in California our gas sucks, but I am told they are they best we can get out here)
3) Throw a can of seafoam or Chevron Techron, etc. in the full gas tank once in a while
4) Dont drive it like an old man (which I kinda am feeling like at 56 lol), and dont be afraid to redline it after it is warmed up and/or to "burn the carbon out" by gettin on it out in the country. I commute to work 30 miles and can take the back roads out in the wide open flatland's where i can get her up to a nice burnin speed. One guy said this about the is250, "a redline a day keeps the mechanic away"
5) I have purchased a cheap $9 borescope on ebay that is amazingly high quality for so cheap. I bought new intake valve cover gaskets and when they arrive, I am going to remove my intake valve cover and carefully insert my borescope and inspect the tops and stems of the intake valves (which is where the cbu issue occurs). If I see they are clean, I will continue to steps 1, 2, 3, and possibly a little of 4 above. if they're dirty...Plan B...
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07blu250 (01-08-17)
01-08-17, 10:17 AM
#17
Driver School Candidate
ok, thanks for the advice, then in that case I'll take it easy on the redline thing. But i still think it should be good to not do a lot of short trips, and when I am commuting to work out in the flat lands where you can see for miles and the roads is long and straight, I get her up to a nice cruising speed of say 90 mph or so... I am just deathly afraid of the carbon build up issue...the car is a beautiful car and runs perfect. Never had any problems with the engine other than a oxy sensor which was replaced 40K miles ago.
01-08-17, 11:54 AM
#18
Driver School Candidate
I'm at 152,000 with the rare 6 speed manual...
1.Oil changes around every 10,000 with synthetic 5w-20 and 5w-30
2. Had plugs changed around 75,000 the first time. Could only change 4 of the plugs @148,000...I could not get a couple of the intake hex screws out to do the back drivers side ones.
3. Didn't have to replace the brakes until after year 5. Had both back calibers lock up..Replaced both and only fresh pads about every other year.
4 Replaced 18' x package wheels staggered with 17' 235/45 wheels.
Hope to get another 2-3 yrs out of her...I would say i have gotten my money's worth out of it.
1.Oil changes around every 10,000 with synthetic 5w-20 and 5w-30
2. Had plugs changed around 75,000 the first time. Could only change 4 of the plugs @148,000...I could not get a couple of the intake hex screws out to do the back drivers side ones.
3. Didn't have to replace the brakes until after year 5. Had both back calibers lock up..Replaced both and only fresh pads about every other year.
4 Replaced 18' x package wheels staggered with 17' 235/45 wheels.
Hope to get another 2-3 yrs out of her...I would say i have gotten my money's worth out of it.
01-08-17, 11:19 PM
#19
Driver School Candidate
ok, i guess i am out of touch with reality, but i would think that a MSRP $32k lexus in 2007 would last longer than 175,000 mi., especially if well taken care of. I see 2000-2003 Japanese made Nissan Maxima's with well over 200k and still running smooth with half the maintenance/cost. I bought a Lexus thinking it would have great longevity because my wife's 2006 4 runner is at 125K mi with normal (inexpensive) maintenance, so I am a Toyota fan. But after all I have heard about the 2nd gen is250 carbon build up nightmares, I am second guessing myself whether I got a good car/deal on a 2007 one owner is250 with 87k miles in mint condition. I paid $7,700 here in California for it. It is the premium model in a beautiful breakwater blue metallic color with grey interior. The plugs were changed at 60k and I just hit 90k. I do most of the maintenance myself, except for things like PS flush and brake flush and any block or tranny work. It handles excellent and purrs like a kitten. Brakes/tires/suspension, etc. is just fine. My question is how reliable is this car in the long run, i.e. getting up to 2-250K with normal maintenance, or will it have the dreaded carbon buildup issue on the intake valves because its a DI engine??? Anyone out there have a 2007is250 auto that has reached 200k without major knarly engine issues? Please let me know any advice on how to keep minefor another 100k without having to spend a $1k-?? on a engine or tranny issue???
01-11-17, 09:25 AM
#20
I'm at 152,000 with the rare 6 speed manual...
1.Oil changes around every 10,000 with synthetic 5w-20 and 5w-30
2. Had plugs changed around 75,000 the first time. Could only change 4 of the plugs @148,000...I could not get a couple of the intake hex screws out to do the back drivers side ones.
3. Didn't have to replace the brakes until after year 5. Had both back calibers lock up..Replaced both and only fresh pads about every other year.
4 Replaced 18' x package wheels staggered with 17' 235/45 wheels.
Hope to get another 2-3 yrs out of her...I would say i have gotten my money's worth out of it.
1.Oil changes around every 10,000 with synthetic 5w-20 and 5w-30
2. Had plugs changed around 75,000 the first time. Could only change 4 of the plugs @148,000...I could not get a couple of the intake hex screws out to do the back drivers side ones.
3. Didn't have to replace the brakes until after year 5. Had both back calibers lock up..Replaced both and only fresh pads about every other year.
4 Replaced 18' x package wheels staggered with 17' 235/45 wheels.
Hope to get another 2-3 yrs out of her...I would say i have gotten my money's worth out of it.
Are you on the original transmission? I'm curious, because I also have the 6 speed manual transmission in mine and am at 83000 miles now. Just want to get an idea as to how long these manuals run for without major repair/swap.
Thanks
01-12-17, 08:44 AM
#22
I'm at 152,000 with the rare 6 speed manual...
1.Oil changes around every 10,000 with synthetic 5w-20 and 5w-30
2. Had plugs changed around 75,000 the first time. Could only change 4 of the plugs @148,000...I could not get a couple of the intake hex screws out to do the back drivers side ones.
3. Didn't have to replace the brakes until after year 5. Had both back calibers lock up..Replaced both and only fresh pads about every other year.
4 Replaced 18' x package wheels staggered with 17' 235/45 wheels.
Hope to get another 2-3 yrs out of her...I would say i have gotten my money's worth out of it.
1.Oil changes around every 10,000 with synthetic 5w-20 and 5w-30
2. Had plugs changed around 75,000 the first time. Could only change 4 of the plugs @148,000...I could not get a couple of the intake hex screws out to do the back drivers side ones.
3. Didn't have to replace the brakes until after year 5. Had both back calibers lock up..Replaced both and only fresh pads about every other year.
4 Replaced 18' x package wheels staggered with 17' 235/45 wheels.
Hope to get another 2-3 yrs out of her...I would say i have gotten my money's worth out of it.
01-12-17, 10:29 AM
#23
Driver School Candidate
i had the right bit with extension to get them but they stripped as they just turned and didn't break loose.
Hopefully that makes sense.
I did find a DYI thread where someone said to use a hammer on another bit and back it out...but a found it after giving up on a 95 degree day.
I lied to myself and said i would try that solution before winter....now i am saying i will try around spring... 4 plugs out of 6 will have to do...i could not get myself to pay the stealership (dealership) prices or trust SEAR auto to do it.
Hopefully that makes sense.
I did find a DYI thread where someone said to use a hammer on another bit and back it out...but a found it after giving up on a 95 degree day.
I lied to myself and said i would try that solution before winter....now i am saying i will try around spring... 4 plugs out of 6 will have to do...i could not get myself to pay the stealership (dealership) prices or trust SEAR auto to do it.
01-12-19, 07:05 PM
#24
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2018
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i'm at 108k on my 2006 is350.. so far so good. this is the 2nd small car I had since the 1M. needs some sort of cleaner for sure cause it's not picking up as fast as it did when it was at 40k miles. did all the maintenance, recalls, and what not required. changing oil every 2900-3k miles and so forth. from what I heard on this forum, someone, said our engine or tranny dies at 150k (saw the post sometimes last week, I would say pretty recent)... don't know if it's true or what but when I get there, i'll let you know if i'm on the side of the road, trading it in for another car, or still daily driving it. lol ..... I don't think the 350's had as much recalls as the 250's though so I couldn't tell you. other than the carbon build up and a major hp decrease (lol!), I don't see it any different.
PS - you guys with 30k miles and 89k miles need to catch up and get to 108 like me lol
PS - you guys with 30k miles and 89k miles need to catch up and get to 108 like me lol
I now have 289592 on my engine and tranny and i BEAAAAT THE HDHSUXHSH out of the car literally DAILY and i havent had a single problem with the engine or tranny. I also beat the tranny alot as well i have a nice exhaust on it, it likes to pop and attract pigs but overall the cars the best car i have ever owned. Ive owned an 09 corolla a couple accords and a couple of civics which have shat on me around the 170k range with regular highway driving. Just keep your car maintaned have everything done on time.
02-13-24, 02:49 PM
#25
1st Gear
Join Date: Feb 2024
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