LS430 exhaust front section - repair/where to buy?

polymoog · May 14, 2018

Hi - I've got a blowing exhaust and my local garage says it's a split in the Y just ahead of the under-floor (i.e. rear) cat.

I seems the two down-pipes, the Y and the cat are all one part (17410-50310), which Lexus want £1050 for. Hmm.

I appreciate you can't see it, but does this type of failure sound repairable? If not, are there any decent sources for the part that won't cost what Lexus are asking?

Thanks for any insights...

Malc · May 14, 2018

why can't they simply ( well, it might take some effort ) repair the split ?

I've had my Ls400 exhaust welded twice now in 7 yrs of ownership, about where you're problem lies I would think, about £30/40 a time...... but of course yours is a 430

Malc

polymoog · May 14, 2018

I did ask if it could be welded and he said it was thin metal and might end up worse. Maybe he just didn't fancy trying. I'll tout it round a few more places for further opinions.

Bluesman · May 14, 2018

There are quite a few of us that have successfully had the Y section welded, I had mine done about 3 tears ago down in Brighton and it's still OK.

polymoog · May 14, 2018

3 minutes ago, Bluesman said:

There are quite a few of us that have successfully had the Y section welded, I had mine done about 3 tears ago down in Brighton and it's still OK.

That's really good to know - thanks :)

The-Acre · May 14, 2018

The LS 400 has a stainless system whereas the 430 doesn't. Either way a good exhaust specialist would repair or replace for much less than a main dealer. Let us know how you get on.

cornershop · May 14, 2018

Use the search facility - my thread is about 10 below yours

dendonc · May 14, 2018

I've seen repairs on that prob on here within this past 12 months, a couple of places but I seem to remember one near morcombe or that way on, use the search facility with a couple of variations & see what comes up

polymoog · May 14, 2018

I've found a local specialist exhaust repair/fabrication place that'll have a look at it tomorrow.

Re. using search, I did try but it seemed to return every thread mentioning 'LS430' along with every thread mentioning 'exhaust', regardless of Lexus model, so picking through the results got old very quickly.

polymoog · May 15, 2018

13 hours ago, polymoog said:

I've found a local specialist exhaust repair/fabrication place that'll have a look at it tomorrow.

Well they didn't have a ramp free to inspect it properly when I stopped by this morning but they said they'd done a few before. Seems like they are talking about fabbing a whole new section, which will be £200-£450 depending whether they can re-use the cat or not (or I can delete the cat altogether and take my chances with the emissions test at MOT).

Better than the Lexus part at £1050 +fitting, but not quite the £40 patch-up I was hoping for. It's booked in for a proper look in a couple of weeks.

steve2006 · May 15, 2018

There are 2 varients on the LS430 front exhaust system, type A has a catalytic converter fitted and type B a normal exhaust box which would suggest a missing 3rd cat would not cause any MOT problems if constructing a replacement.

polymoog · May 15, 2018

35 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

There are 2 varients on the LS430 front exhaust system, type A has a catalytic converter fitted and type B a normal exhaust box which would suggest a missing 3rd cat would not cause any MOT problems if constructing a replacement.

Interesting. The chap said if it had been well maintained/is running well it should be okay come MoT. I'm a bit wary because my VSV is goosed (from what I can gather it's barely worth sorting out ordinarily, so I haven't yet) and I've no idea if that might have an effect. Other than that minor fault it is well maintained and it certainly runs very well.

Has anyone removed their rear cat with no issues...?

39buss · May 16, 2018

Hello Polymoog, No....the LOC doesn't recognise Tyne & Wear so you may be in Byker, Blyth or Berwick and I could be in West Hartlepool or really Washington. There;s a lad from Gateshead just joined recently so may hear from him. Did you buy the LS430 from Alex Scott (Cars) by any chance as they had one in earlier this year. Post some photos when you get the chance please.

polymoog · May 16, 2018

Hi Jim - no I bought from a small dealer in N Tyneside in 2014. An immaculate car at the time with 80K on and a full Lexus history (53 plate). It's on 106K now. In the main it's been reliable barring needing an O2 sensor; also a parking sensor has failed (which annoyingly wipes them all out). Sadly over the last 18 months or so rust has got a hold along the nearside front door above the lower trim panel, and there's now a small bubble on the offside front arch too. Will have to get those tidied once the mechanics are sorted.

Current problems aside though it's easily the best car I've ever owned, with none of the impending sense of doom which hung over the E34 540i it replaced.