Should you buy a used Lexus LS 400 I 1989 1994? Pros and cons, maintenance costs and common problems of the Lexus LS400. Transmission problems Engine reliability
DearMastercarspro, I enjoy listening to your recordings on You Tube about old Lexuses. I hope you can help me. I bought a new 1996 Lexus LS400 27 years ago. It now has 221K miles on it. Last year it started running rough in Florida, and I also saw smoke coming from both exhausts. I told my mechanic to do a complete tune-up, (plugs, wires distributor caps, rotors, etc.) Still ran rough and smoke from exhausts. He replaced the 3 catalytic converters, but no help. He replaced the 3 oxygen sensors, but no help. He examined both mufflers all okay, but no help. I finally shipped the car to my mechanic in Massachusetts. We removed the top intake manifold, examined the fuel rail, inspected the 8 fuel injectors and replaced the 8 rubber seals, and performed a compression test. Still no help. We disconnected the power steering line to the engine, still no help. I read that if the engine oil was overfilled, the oil would foam and smoke, and not lubricate. (Lucas oil was added last time), so we drained and replaced the oil. Still no help. I love this car and do not want to abandon it. Any suggestions?
Hey buddy, I would suggest getting a compression test of the cylinders done by a trusted mechanic, if you can’t do it. This will tell you if the individual cylinders are holding compression, or if there is a compression leak, or head gasket leak. Sometimes older engines need to have their valves adjusted, or the piston rings wear out, leading to oil burning or compression leakage (hence thick white exhaust smoke) Also, (and you should probably check this first as it’s easier/cheaper) your fuel system may be consuming excess fuel for a number of reasons. This also leads to thicker/more smoke from your exhaust. Smell the exhaust and try to check for a gas scent. (Possibly a leaky injector) Best of luck with your LS🙏🏻
And one more thing, I would definitely check the throttle body plate, and clean it if it’s gunky. Very small and common issue that leads to very poor engine performance
DearMastercarspro,
I enjoy listening to your recordings on You Tube about old Lexuses.
I hope you can help me. I bought a new 1996 Lexus LS400 27 years ago. It now has 221K miles on it. Last year it started running rough in Florida, and I also saw smoke coming from both exhausts. I told my mechanic to do a complete tune-up, (plugs, wires distributor caps, rotors, etc.) Still ran rough and smoke from exhausts. He replaced the 3 catalytic converters, but no help. He replaced the 3 oxygen sensors, but no help. He examined both mufflers all okay, but no help.
I finally shipped the car to my mechanic in Massachusetts. We removed the top intake manifold, examined the fuel rail, inspected the 8 fuel injectors and replaced the 8 rubber seals, and performed a compression test. Still no help. We disconnected the power steering line to the engine, still no help. I read that if the engine oil was overfilled, the oil would foam and smoke, and not lubricate. (Lucas oil was added last time), so we drained and replaced the oil. Still no help. I love this car and do not want to abandon it. Any suggestions?
Hey buddy,
I would suggest getting a compression test of the cylinders done by a trusted mechanic, if you can’t do it. This will tell you if the individual cylinders are holding compression, or if there is a compression leak, or head gasket leak. Sometimes older engines need to have their valves adjusted, or the piston rings wear out, leading to oil burning or compression leakage (hence thick white exhaust smoke)
Also, (and you should probably check this first as it’s easier/cheaper) your fuel system may be consuming excess fuel for a number of reasons. This also leads to thicker/more smoke from your exhaust. Smell the exhaust and try to check for a gas scent. (Possibly a leaky injector)
Best of luck with your LS🙏🏻
And one more thing, I would definitely check the throttle body plate, and clean it if it’s gunky. Very small and common issue that leads to very poor engine performance
Did you check both vacuum lines from the power steering pump valve towards the engine? It really sounds like it's burning power steering pump oil.
Of course if IS my favor model
complete bullshit, buy one. Stay away from 1997-2000 and if you can, get a 1993 or 1994.