Top 5 Problems Lexus ES300 Sedan 3rd Generation 1997-2001
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
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Here are the top 5 problems with the 3rd generation Lexus ES300! In this video, Len breaks down the most common problems you might find with your 1997 to 2001 Lexus ES. In this luxury sedan, the problems can range from pretty simple, like new IAC valves or ignition coils, to fairly complex, like replacing piston rings! Whatever the problem, Len has expert tips for you!
For more great tips and professional advice, check out this list of videos featuring Len, and the rest of the 1A Auto crew!
• Tips & Secrets only Me...
0:00 Top Problems Lexus ES300 1997-2001
0:15 Idle Air Contorl (IAC) Valve
2:16 Oxygen (O2) Sensors
3:38 Piston Rings
5:17 Ignition Coils
7:11 Vacuum Leaks
8:33 Subscribe! | Shop 1AAuto.com Link Below!
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While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
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+Bill Lam We're always cycling through common cars. We'll add this to our list! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
I have a es300 98 with over 340,000 miles on it, no issues, never an oil leak or an AC service. Best car I ever own.
Basically a V6 Camry. I've taken care of a '98 ES300 for a good friend. It's the golden age of Japanese reliability. Nothing more than maintenance and burnt out bulbs for 23 years of ownership.
I thought about an older car, I got a big ol 2015 chevy impala limited lt, gm has issues and the car is a sleeper but thought about something like this. Maybe upgrade your lights to leds!
@@jorgenvonstrangle000 I did that... Especially the driver/passenger map light (since they aren't door activated on this year/model...) Saved me a lot of dead batteries and jump starts
Please help me with mine ,it's struggles to get 20 mpg even when I drive incredibly conservatively
Love my 98 es
Mine had the stupid knock sensor go out, its running in this baby limp mode, still driveable, like it has half power, and its been this way for a few months, Ive let it sit and have been using my scion instead but yknow
I'm planning on getting a 1999 Lexus ES300 with 200000 miles on it.
Pray for me that there is little to no issues with this baby.
Bought a 2000 es300 about 2 months ago. Had 71k on it and was driven by a grandma. Everything is perfect and untouched, not a foot has even stepped under the floor mats and it looks right off the lot inside.
How did you find that prize?
I wish I was in your shoes. My es300 is crossing 300k miles soon. Still like new, I just wish the odometer number was lower. Would look better that way. I've had many cars but I have always had this one.
Just got a 2000 model for Christmas as my first car. It’s been my grandpas and he bought it new. It’s at 150k miles now and it still runs just as smooth at the day it was built
Hey, these cars were childhood for me. I vividly remember back when these were brand new.
Here here! My '97 es300 is going to turn over to 300,000 miles very soon. next tire rotation is at 303,000. Still runs like I drove it out of the showroom floor.
Mine is at 326k miles. Bought it in 2006 with 151k miles. Never change timing belt 😅
@@LittleMopeHead good to hear, im about to buy a '98 100k es300 1 owner. hopefully it lasts me a few years
I've had 5 of these cars...all are still on the road. Had a 98 with 451k original miles. Dealer serviced since new. Had a massive stack of records. Original engine and trans. Still on the road today. That was back in 2016. Had a 99 Coach Edition with the nakamichi system. Never an issue. Have my current 00 Platinum Series with the rare nakamichi system. No issues. Had an 01 I paid 450$ for. Replaced the knock sensors and the A/F ratio sensor and sold it for 1800$. And had an 01 with 339k miles for a day. Bought it from a dealer. Got halfway to pickup my wife from work and the dreaded knock sensor codes came on and it wouldn't shift. Took it back to the dealer and got my money back since it was not disclosed and I had only put 40 miles on it. Since the light wasn't on in the car and it drove fine when I got it, I knew they were hiding something. I think they ended up junking it. Sad because the body was nice and rust free which is incredible for an Ohio car. The knock sensors are not hard but I wasn't doing them when it was not disclosed and they were trying to get one over on me. My current one is fantastic. Drove over 3 hours to buy it because of the platinum series and nakamichi, which if you don't know is an insanely rare option on these cars. And man does it sound absolutely killer. I can hardly turn it up past quarter volume, so clean and crisp and the bass is insane.
I had a sc400 with the nakamichi system, it was truly impressive. I have a '97 es300 now, sadly not the nakamichi but it has a subwoofer and tweeters and it sounds great. I've gotten so used to the way my music sounds in the es300 I don't even like to drive anything else, it's comfy, I tend to drive it for a few hours at a time just to drive around.
I've had none of these issues and I'm at 250,000 miles. Most of my issues have been worn out suspension/steering rubber.
I had a '97 ES300 with all of the options, such as heated seats, traction control, etc. (though the heated seats didn't work anymore lol) and it was a fantastic car. It had 220,000 miles on it (189,000 when I bought it) and spent some money repairing it, but I only bought it for $1200 in 2016. I loved that car and it never left me stranded (other than a dead battery and faulty vacuum hose line, both of which I replaced), it was a bulletproof engine that never had any mechanical issues. It only burned a bit of oil, but it was basically abused by previous owners (it didn't have regular maintenance done for oil changes I'm fairly certain) and it still ran like a champ. They're awesome cars. Camrys are great cars too, these ES300s are basically just that with more options and better aesthetics with the body design (they share the 1mz-fe V6 engine). Unfortunately mine got totaled from an accident (not my fault).
+Neon Reign Thanks for the feedback!
I call this old girl a “glorified Toyota” ...Bc that’s exactly what it is
Man my dad had bought one of these in 2003 with like 50k miles it was my first car to drive and damn could that thing take a beating we drove her to 224k miles then sold it in 2018 and the guy we sold it too is still loving it’s got 273k on it and I think he had to rebuild the transmission somewhere around 250k which is very reasonable considering the mileage and how I used to drive that car lol. Great first cars for someone under a 3k budget
Trans fluid & filter change should be done around 150k.
Kids should have to buy their first car and learn how to respect it, when you have to pay for things you learn to respect
Knock wood mine is still just cruising along, at 201189, I can still keep up with most hot rods, power and handling have been pretty remarkable to me, my first toyota (lexus es300)
2003 Lexus ES300, love My Baby, just Love My car. It's a Great Car
I bought that car for $300 fixed it for $150. We take it on road trips all the time. It has 199K.
Oh yeah it's great for road trips. My friends knock out in the seats quick lol.
Now that's a great story.
Sitting at 240,000 miles and have had minor problems with this gem
I just picked up a 1-Owner gem with 150k miles for $1500
What's wrong with it
How’s it running ?
I have an 1 owner Gem with 156k Miles, I’ll be selling mine for 3350.
This car will easily run 300k miles..guaranteed !
I bought my 2000 es300 6 years ago $1,800. It currently has 225k I have put $0 into it, starts every time and everything works fine.
Best $1,800 I've ever spent
Great content and info as always 🔥💪
Just bought a beautifully maintained 2000 es. 104k miles. It’s super clean and runs really well. I hope to keep it for a long time! Thanks for the video!
Proud Lexus owner here and I can say that nothing beats the quality build and long term performance of my 2006 Lexus ES330!
Reminder: BUY OEM KNOCK SENSORS FROM THE DEALER.
Trust me, it's not a job you wanna do twice...
it goes bad?
@@ozmo69 If you get the knock sensor codes P0330 or P0325 the problem is most likely the short wiring harness that goes from the main wiring harness under the intake manifold and then to the knock sensors. You can buy an OEM harness on eBay for about $35. For all the work it takes to get into the engine valley where the harness and knock sensors are located you should change the short harness, the two knock sensors and the short bypass hose. Like break fast said you don't want to have to go down inside there twice.
I loved the way you detail every little possible problem, I have an 03 Lexus ES300, just love My car and I really don't want to replace it, but it is showing little problems here and there, 200k miles garage kept. Those are almost all highway miles. I'm hoping to keep it till we both give up, but I don't see that coming in the near future.🤗
On my 99, I had a code for one of the Oxygen sensors. I replaced all 3, and the code would not go away. Turned out to be the Mass Air Flow sensor. My friend who solved the issue had the exact same issue on this vintage of Camry, basically the same car.
If you want to find a few more common issues, just watch their 1st gen Avalon video and the 1st gen Solara. They're all the same engines.
+Jeff Harrell Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
1999 coach edition es300, 286k miles. No issues apart from small oil leak/burn and the original radiator recently broke
Thanks for the video. I've had a '99 ES 300 since last summer.
Any issue you've faced in your time since owning?
Spot on! 2000 ES 300 and I’ve dealt with all but the piston rings! Now if I can just finish cutting out the passenger side cv axle since Toyota in their infinite wisdom decided to install the carrier bearing inside of the rear motor mount🙄
I’m looking to buy one of these and I’m glad I’m going to see the video before I make a decision.
I’ve learned a lot from you buddy. Thank you so so so so much!!!! I have a Lexus ES 300 but it’s vibrating all the time.
Thank you for this video!
I work at Mahle, manufacturing pistons, piston o rings, tie rods and cams, I know exactly combustion motors work.i knew that my air intake problem in my Lexus was this, iac valve. The simplest fix on earth and mechanics will charge you hundreds to just spray some gumout and clean your dirty iac valve. I just watched your great video that confirms that's the problem. Thank you for your time.❤
+Liam Alepta Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
I'm glad to have learned from your video. Thank you. Bien Rosa
Thank you my friend excellent teachings
GREAT VIDEO THANKS
Thks for your Video! You were very well spoken and very easy to follow! Thks bro!!!
+K Petersen Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
Very helpful! Thanks! How about suspension in a '98 es300, went bad at 108,000 miles.?
Not very hard to to replace piston rings is an understatement. Good luck if you are doing it yourself. The car is not even worth the cost to fix it. I probably got worn rings and definitely bad stem seals in my Avalon with 340k miles but still pushing her hard. Gotta check the oil level weekly though. Started using 10w40 for top offs and she purrs just fine,
What year is your car ? I was looking at 2005-09
Bought a 98 ES300 a couple weeks ago with 277k miles. Heard these are bulletproof, super reliable cars which is why I bought it despite it having such high miles. It was $2000, and one owner. I don’t intend on having it for that long considering it’s knocking on 300k, but so far I love it even with its little imperfections.
dude those cars can get up to 1 million miles use it till the wheels fall off also what app did you use to find the car?
What issues do u have with the car
Just got a 98 too! $3,5k , 3 owners & 138k! I'm a happy chappy!!! I bought it thinking I won't keep it for long but I can tell I will. Gets prettier every time I look at her!
I bought my '97 about 6 years ago with 212k miles. I'm turning over 300k in the next month. Car has run flawlessly the whole time. However, I think it's starting to show signs of needing something... I think it has an exhaust leak like a teeny tiny one? I think I might replace the o2 sensor it's been wanting me to replace since I bought the car. Might.
Thank you for sharing .🙏🙏
Some of these ES300's (mine is a 2000) have the vacuum switching valve (VSV) attached to the side of the air filter cover, specifically where he said that vacuum hose is... I broke mine because I didn't see it when I was removing the cover to replace my intake hoses... Everywhere I looked for the part kept saying that my car didn't have it on the side of the air filter cover, though... It ended up being Dorman 911-606, which is for the 2000-2004 Toyota Camry...
Do you have a pro tip to remove a stuck water pump from a 1995 Nissan Maxima? The procedure to 'jack' it out failed (broken tabs on the pump). Very tight space so a puller won't work. Suggestions appreciated.
Great tips!! I have. 2001 ES300 with about 86,000 miles on it. Recently the alarm started going off late at night. It happened a couple times a few months ago, and now has done it again for two nights in a row. I even left the car unlocked and it went off!!!!! Have you had any experience with this issue?
Another issue this car has is the cabin air filter can be somewhat difficult to replace. It requires pulling down the carpet on the driver side and depressing the gas pedal so the filter will clear it. I've heard that some people have broken the filter while trying to remove it and then it ended up stuck in there.
Thank u guys
And the early years like 97-99 V6 if you take your time and get the right tools especially a magnetic Spark Plug socket, the Coils and plugs are accessable in the back under the the intake. Newer ones unfortunately intake has to be removed.
6: engine sludging
7: knock sensors
8: vvt solenoids
9: U140E Transmission failure
10: U140E 2-3 Flare up
So Is it worth buying one that has 209k miles on it? But runs good and looks like it's in good shape?
@@davidnjuguna3595 did you?
I'm surprised he left out the knock sensors and the wiring harness that connects the sensors to the main wiring harness. It's a very common problem with these cars.
Thank you so much for this video متشکرم
Thanks for the video!
Can you do a 6th generation Camry 2.4L video? Thank you in advance!
Do you have a video on knock sensor replacement on the Gen 3 Lexus?
hi I have 2001 Lexus ES 300 and I have P1780 code which is for neutral safety switch, but I replace the safety switch OEM part and check engine light comes back with same code, any suggestions please????
Mines is making noise by the shifter in the middle what is it?
got a 1999 es300 Great Information!
I plan on copping one soon 😊
I have a 2000 lexus ES 300 just did the timing belt and water pump but doesn't start what could it be
Can anyone help I just bought one yesterday for 2k :( island beater I was going up a hill at 60mph it was reving high at 5k rpm going up and I lost speed also smoke coming from the front and filling the cab notice the trans getting hot what it could be bc it drives perfectly normal on a flat normal road
Another important thing. CHANGE YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID FREQUENTLY at least every 4th or 5th oil change. These U140E transmissions have issues with solenoids. Not sure about the U140F. Just change fluids with Toyota Type-IV fluid only.
Iac valve cleaner throttle body cleaner or maf cleaner which ones better?
This is more of a "things that eventually happen to 97-01 ES300s, that also happen to almost every car that have the same parts". My 99 with 204k miles goes between 5k synthetic oil changes without needing any oil top off - definitely no piston ring issues with mine. In other words, these things are bulletproof and don't really have any major unique problems :D
The lifespan of the ignition coils seems super random. That's why I wouldn't replace all of them. I've replaced 2 on mine in the mid 100ks, and the other 4 have gone 50k+ more miles still.
For future readers, in simply passing on things I've read and am not a good source.
However, I've been finding out the transmission is a dud, the u140E.
It's a ticking time bomb once it gets past 100k
1999 Toyota Avalon with over 273K. Never heard of half the things being common problems that this guy is waffling on about. Everything he mentioned applies to any Japanese brand car over 100k. Completely missed the oil sludging issue due to the 1MZ-FE design...way to go guy!!
Agree with you on this. 200k on the clock with original O2 sensors and ignition coils. The real issues are VVT solenoids. They tend to go bad before 200k.
Thanks bro
I have a vibration noise when in park on but if I move the steering wheel it goes away it use to go away totally now it just gets lighter , it goes away all the way when I put it in drive though and sometimes comes back when I am at a light I know it’s not the exact engine but somthing is vibrating , should I really be worried , other then that it’s my first car and the best car, replaced vacuum hose and I bought a battery right and I guess it was a bad battery because I took my starter out and tested it and it was good and so I took my battery to autozone thinking oh it’s not my battery but I didn’t know what else it could have been going thru everything else possible and it was a bad battery , has never left me stranded , 190.5k miles
Have this exact car, however the ABS light is on on the dash, same as Trac OFF light and check oil light. Pls what's the right thing to do?
Also I'm certain the previous user abused the reliability of the car and messed up with the wiring system of the entire car, I'll like to get a blueprint of the car's wiring so I can correct it myself.
Thanks
im a good mechanic but the obd port wont communicate on 97 es300. im struggling
(edit: theres 6 corroded capacitors inside the ecu rotting. 220uf@50v, 100uf@10v two of them, 10uf@50v two of them, and one 47uf@63v)
i like this guy !!!
I have a p0420 bank 1 CEL . I'm going to take out the bank 1 O2 sensor and see if that helps. Thank you
I had vacuum leaks ... Fixed it and the p0420 light went away
Just got one few days ago. But 2nd day engine light came on it overheated and radiator fan only blows when ac is on
Wow that's my car. I'd add on the VVT solenoids and filters. When those go bad it could almost feel like the car is totaled but theyre easy to replace and pretty cheap after market.
yep, just replaced my VVT solenoids they are definitely a failure point on this car.
How do you know when they have gone bad,i have just inherited one of these cars in mint condition?!
@@geoffbell166 You'll know they've gone bad when the engine starts to stutter or misfire. It'll feel like the car is hesitating to accelerate.
For real. I only replaced one so far but even then the car runs so much smoother.
@@geoffbell166 The check engine light will come on and the car will not accelerate the same as usual.
Where is the charcoal canister located on a 2001 ES300 with V6?
I have a Lexus 1999 ES300 and the trac light keeps coming on . Can you help with this? Thanks
Love how you get to the point and don't try to make the video last longer by talking slow and dragging along. Hate watching do it yourself videos that drag along.
These aren't Lexus ES300 issues. These are common issues with any car.
What about knock sensors? I've replaced both with oem sensors and oem wiring harness. They still come on. Any ideas?
What still comes on?
I changed my o2 sensors in the front of the car. Still getting p1346 & p1351. It was making a tutting sound. Now I just makes a long sound during every acceleration then stops when coasting without acceleration. Where the timing belt is. I can hear a noise like ticking or some sort.
VVT solenoids worth a look, does the brake pedal get weird/spongy at some gears/rpm?
I have a 97 Lexus ES300 great car over all
I have 2001 lexus it srart up and run good once you turn it off it wont start back up it turns over but won't let sit a day then it wiil start and run good every time you turn it off it will do thr same thing what could be my problem
I have a 99es300. No vacuum leaks or check engine light. However, when I first start I have a low idle then after driving the car for a bit it has a high idle 1300-1400 which is way to high. Unowned a 1993 ES it never did this. Any ideas 1A auto??
Probably late, but I had a similar issue. My throttle body was super dirty and needed to be cleaned
Can you do a video on the late 2nd gen Acura MDX video 2010-2013
+Julian Van DerWoodsen We're always cycling through common cars. We'll add this to our list! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
I have a 98' Es300 w/ 210k. May need to change the Catalytic Converter next year and my valve cover seals are starting to leak. But it still drives sooo good and feels very comfortable, that I still use it on my 1 hour commute to work.
+Jake Urbano Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
How about the common expensive ass knock sensor replacements for bank one and 2 as well as the harness. It gets fried overtime due to heat and it being under the intake
Mine has almost 300k I got it at 288k given to me by a friend. I changed tranny fluid n oil once I got it and wow ima fan. This car runs better then most new cars. I need to fix the suspension issues. But you can’t beat that for a almost 300,000 mile car.
+professional0_0 Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
my 1997 Lexus es300 is smoking and leaking any idea of what it could be?
+George Powell We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
These had the last version of the 1mz-fe v6 engine with a defective pcv system. The valve covers were not designed correctly and would cause oil consumption issues on the highway. The fix came, with the last version of the engine for 2002-03. The only way to fix the issue on these engines, is to change to a later 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe valve cover, with a screw in pcv valve.
Can you link a set I’m not sure I found what you described
So just search up a new valve cover assembly for 97-01 es 300 on Lexus parts sight right? Interesting hope there was a tsb for this
Pcv has nothing to imply with oil consumption the only fault that causes this is a worn oil ring on the Piston period!A bad pcv will cause pressure on the top end that's all to test this pull either oil cap or dipstick and notice oil spew or rpm change PCV has nothing to do with oil lose!
Pcv has nothing to do with oil use,just pressure in top end of engine,top oil ring is the cause!
Does the 1997 Lexus ES have VSC?
Everyone in the comments “these things are tanks!” Meanwhile mine has a transmission leak, Evap leak, broken control arm, and battery draining every night at 131k.
Just bought a 2000 for my wife for 2.500 with 120k miles
I'm SO tired of hearing "SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON", from now on every time I hear it they get a thumbs down.
Top 1 problem is that these cars won't die lol, I traded mine in with almost 290k miles
Yes but was it a 3rd gen, the 98, 99, 00, an 01 model.
@@ert-wert Are they the best years for these ?
I've been patiently waiting for a top 5 problems video for he 98-02 Corolla; I'm starting to think you can't find any problems with it :)
+SammyT We're always cycling through common cars. We'll add this repair to our list! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
@@1AAuto OK, thanks! Keep up the good work.
Those engines are well known to be oil burners due to clogged oil passages on the piston. Poor design by Toyota.
Looking at this car with 220,000 miles. He wanted $3400, now $3100. Seems like most comments here say $2000 is more like it. I already own a 2004 ES330. Paid $3000 for that one with 190,000 miles.
yeah i liked the video
I have a 2000 with 337.000 miles. Runs very good. But the Rear light failure warning light came on and all the bulbs are ok. Then the battery light came on and when I turned the car off, it didn't start again. So, I bought a new battery and when I started, all the lights were off - even the track engine light, that was on for awhile (message: gas leakage or gas cap not sealing).
I went for a ride and Rear Light warning light went on again, Battery light came on for a couple of seconds, went out again, went on again, a little longer, went out and finally went on again and stayed on. No track engine light on.
Next day, the car started fine, battery light was off and when I drove, the same happened like the day before.
I live in the northwest and we have a lot of rain. Can it be a sensor and if, which sensor would it be? Thank you for your help.
Mine is having an issue where both the power outlet and the cigarette lighter port are not working, but nothing else is wrong with the car. Help??
Even mechanics not abled to why cigarette lighter port are not working on mine. Charged labor fee of 2. hour. Sad
How I do to order parts from you?
I have a 2001 Lexus es300 the problem I'm having is my car won't start but the battery is good what's the problem
Me and my husband went for a drive one Sunday, and came home and arked our car and got u the next morning to go to the bank and it would not start,but it act like it was going to start but didn't, he took out battery to charge it at a friend's house and now the codes will not come back up. What do we do.
+Jeannette Copley We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
I have a 1999 Lexus es300 with 125,000 miles. My engine light just turned on and my car rattles when accelerating. It's stops at 3000 rpm. The code says p0171 too lean bank 1.
I'm trying buy one in two days
My car is puking smoke and won’t stay running unless my foot starts s on the gas. Why?
Just bought new wheels and tires. Was 1,000 lol 😂 only paid 750 for the car. Only has 156k on it, a baby. But it smells like burning plastic or rubber almost immediately after start up
How's Been running for you?
likely a valve cover seal leak. Common problem I had with mine.
@@yaboyreflex1919 It’s amazing. Especially for the price I paid lol
@@matthewmilner6499 That’s EXACTLY what it was lol the rear one was leaking on my exhaust manifold. Man that rear was gave me HELL replacing lol 😂 took me all day and a lot of beer later
What's a 02 sensor? I know what a A/F sensor is!
What about a ticking noise coming from the top of the engine?
Maybe valve lifters,,Try Lucas injector cleaner then seafoam treatment if that doesn't work