First Lexus, looking to buy an IS250 2007-2010

[DnG]

So I just did a cold start this morning and I've noticed a whining sound, as if it was the alternator. It went away after 1-2 minutes and when I put it in gear and doesn't seem to be there anymore. Might just be the belt being cold? The seller did say he replaced the alternator but not the water pump but then again...

[H3XME]

6 minutes ago, DnG said:

So I just did a cold start this morning and I've noticed a whining sound, as if it was the alternator. It went away after 1-2 minutes and when I put it in gear and doesn't seem to be there anymore. Might just be the belt being cold? The seller did say he replaced the alternator but not the water pump but then again...

Water pump will be due at 100k... look for coolant leaking around thermostat / water pump etc. Either way, if it's never been done, I suggest you buy a new genuine pump for £160 and get it replaced. it's not a bad DIY job, just a bit messy when draining the coolant.

[Linas.P]

I think we need new thread for this, the IS250 was now found, so this topic is kind of closed.

I suggest something along the lines "bringing tired IS250 back to life"... it will be a journey thought! 😄 

re: water pump - usually there are tell-tale signs - pink crust around pump and coolant reservoir. Also this is critical thing to do - one sure way to kill 4GR-FSE is to overheat it, and they only ever overheat when the pumps go, or spring a leak. Now whining sound, could be many things, not necessarily water pump, so who knows. It may be it, may not be it.

[BC99]

On 10/2/2024 at 12:03 PM, Linas.P said:

I think we need new thread for this, the IS250 was now found, so this topic is kind of closed.

I suggest something along the lines "bringing tired IS250 back to life"... it will be a journey thought! 😄 

re: water pump - usually there are tell-tale signs - pink crust around pump and coolant reservoir. Also this is critical thing to do - one sure way to kill 4GR-FSE is to overheat it, and they only ever overheat when the pumps go, or spring a leak. Now whining sound, could be many things, not necessarily water pump, so who knows. It may be it, may not be it.

Corrosion is something worth looking out for now too.

water pump is a very easy DIY repair. Although not sure how senstive the engine is to Overheating.

[Linas.P]

6 hours ago, BC99 said:

Corrosion is something worth looking out for now too.

water pump is a very easy DIY repair. Although not sure how senstive the engine is to Overheating.

I know that engine is not really sensitive to anything else (not changing oil surely won't help, but provided regular maintenance is done they don't have other weaknesses), but so far I know about 2 IS250s that had overheated, it was just mild overheating due to low coolant (due to leaking pump) and both engines were scrap, with warped heads and completely unrepairable. Well I guess what is "repairable" could be stretched, but for sure it was uneconomical and both cars had engines replaced.

Yes one needs to check any 20 years old car for rust, my point was more about specifically "subframe rust" which isn't really that big of a deal on IS250. This needs to be put into context - there are cars that have specific and common problems with subframes, quite many to be fair - BMW 3 series, particularly estates have very common issues with that, basically rear subframe mounting points just rotting out to the point subframe can fall out, 5 Series same problem, Merc C-Class (at least W202, W203, W204). GS mk3 is has this problem, maybe not as bad as 3 series, but it is common... there are other makes and models that have common problems in that area, where the car could look good, but is basically rotten out around subframe and it needs dedicated inspection, because it is easy to make such mistake if you don't go under it. I guess it could be said more cars have it than not, meaning it is more the matter of time until that happens to any car, just some are more resistant. IS250 for it's age is one of those more "resistant cars". Does not mean IS250 can't be rusty, jacking points/sills are quite often rusty, the rear corners of rear arches are common problem, but generally the car will be visibly rusty from outside before the subframe will be rusty. But if we take say BMW E90 estates, then there are like 10% of them rotten to the point where the ca in otherwise good mechanical condition is condemned and scrapped only for subframe rust alone. None of IS250 are like that, some have rust, but usually it is something else that gets them. As far as I can tell - most are scrapped due to accidents...