New Is 220D Owner, Asking Some Questions :-)

[Liam_Jay]

Hi all,

First post here! And im now a very proud member of the Lexus Owners Club....Wahhooooo :-)

anyway.....

I have recently purchased my first Lexus, an IS 220d (2007) with approx 44k miles on the clock. I bought as needed a 4 door car due to a new arrival and absolutely fell in love with the shape and looks of the car, plus the fact i shall own a Lexus!

I part ex'ed a new shape fiesta tdci zetec S, and the difference in comfort, power, and equipment is phenomenal! Although, NEVER BUY FROM EVENS HALSHAW!!!! Worst buying experience EVER!!!

Anyway, im here to ask a few questions.............

After reading here about poor MPG and the EGR valve, i took it upon myself to have a run around and see what mpg i was getting. in a mixture of dual carriageways, and town driving it was averaging 27-36 (it really couldn't make up its mind). I then took it upon myself to disconnect the Battery in hope of resetting the ecu to learn my style of driving and clean the EGR valve. By the looks of how gunked up it was with carbon, it had never been done....Pictures to follow.....so after a hour or so with a screwdriver and some carb cleaner it was looking alot healthier so i bolted it all back together. I then removed the MAF sensor and gave this a clean with the carb cleaner as well to get rid of the crap on the platinum resistance wires.....Battery connected, I started her up and with a cough and a splutter she came to life.

I took it for a spin and it appears that the MPG has dropped and if im honest i cant really feel any gain in power, torque or smoothness etc......But at least i know that i have a clean EGR for the next few thousand miles.......To this i am miffed and if you could shed any light i would be appreciative! :-)

Also in the engine bay there is a sticker over the ECU housing stating that in 2010 it had an eCU update by lexus dealer code 599.....does anyone know why this would be?

I know that the Head Gaskets on this car are renowned for going pop, but at 44k miles im hoping i am safe.....at the moment! I rang lexus to enquire about it being covered and they have told me that it should be but each case is individual and it depends on service history. It has 4 Lexus service stamps, 1 unipart independent and then one from Evens Halshaw (where i purchased from). Lexus then tried to offer me a warranty for 2 years @ £40pm....i was tempted but i have explained to them that i have a years warranty from Evens Halshaw already. They then told me that after it ends, im still able to have there extended warranty.........Is this something worth doing?

Drive wise the car drives as every 220d does. When in gear fine, getting there a bit notchy and long winded due to the ratio......However.....When i depress the clutch i hear a spinning rattly noise.... It does not effect anything and you cant hear with the radio on but with it off you can, and as i only have this to compare with the fiesta diesel i had (as ive only owned these 2 diesels).....is this normal? The fiesta changed just like a petrol if im honest......?

Also the wheels are BRAND NEW not a mark on them, i cant imagine anyone payin]g for a new set so im assuming this must be a warranty thing, and if it is how long are the wheels warranted for?

I know i could ring lexus and find out some of the answers but its a right ball ache and makes me feel a bit stupid, plus i believe that people who own the cars can give more insight and better answers!!

thank you for your time

Liam

P.S....heres the pics of the mucky EGR.

[normski2]

Thats a job well done on the EGR. Keep an eye on it every 8000 miles or so. Judging by the soot around the port you may have a lot of soot on top of the pistons/injectors too. You could try a tin of BG244 cleaner through a tank of fuel. I did the BG and EGR clean and found it worked a treat. I used to get 45mpg with ease.

What model 220d do you have? Is it a Sport? I have friends who have the sport and they only get around 36mpg.

Extended warranty...personally I would give it serious consideration. They can pop at 30,000 or 120,000. Dont think at 44000 you are safe. Too many reported cases on here for comfort.

[BB1000]

I was quoted £78 a month for extended Lexus warranty at Milton Keynes Lexus .. bit pricey if you ask me ... how come another Lexus garage can quote £40 :(

[F.A.]

.

Extended warranty...personally I would give it serious consideration. They can pop at 30,000 or 120,000. Dont think at 44000 you are safe. Too many reported cases on here for comfort.

Good sensible advice!

[Dromara1974]

I am amazed you didn't get a vast change after looking at that EGR valve! In that case, if the tretaments Normski mentioned doesn't do the trick and get the CAT/DPF/piston rings/injectors in better shape, then I would start looking at the MAF. They are recommended as achange item every 4 years/50k, especially if your car hasn't worked too hard and had varied mileage, which it seems could be true.

A good diagnosics machine will show a fault code even if the car doesn't, as the car changes settings to compensate and can run poorly without ever flagging up a fault code!

I would also change the main air filter and the turbo pre-filter if these cars have one - haven't got that far myself, as I'm still a relative newbie!

Also, I have 3 Lexus stamps, a lexus specialist stamp and (as part of my car purchase) a porsche specialist stamp, and lexus Sheffield said it would prove sufficient for the extended warranty on both the head gasket issue and replacement engine issue (excessive oil consumption). My car also has just over 40k, so I will probably use Lexus as the service cost isn't too bad and they will fight your corner if either of the aforementioned occurs - certainly cheaper than the warranty cost per month!!

[Liam_Jay]

Well ive ordered a can of BG244, so i will update after this.

The lexus warranty does seem a bit price, i think i might however go for one of there services plans, then if anything does "go" they hopefully will honour it as good will etc.

:-)

[Guest bigbullhead]

I have got to ask a question!!!!!

Why if the head gasket goes the bill is 6000pounds+ surely a head gasket repair is about 400 unless Lexus have a knack of ripping customers off eg saying head is warped but even can be skimmed am I missing something

Awaiting a response in my ignorance lol

[Liam_Jay]

I have got to ask a question!!!!!

Why if the head gasket goes the bill is 6000pounds+ surely a head gasket repair is about 400 unless Lexus have a knack of ripping customers off eg saying head is warped but even can be skimmed am I missing something

Awaiting a response in my ignorance lol

I think its because, if the head does go they replace 3/4 of the engine rather then repair. Dont quote me on that though.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

I have got to ask a question!!!!!

Why if the head gasket goes the bill is 6000pounds+ surely a head gasket repair is about 400 unless Lexus have a knack of ripping customers off eg saying head is warped but even can be skimmed am I missing something

Awaiting a response in my ignorance lol

I think its because, if the head does go they replace 3/4 of the engine rather then repair. Dont quote me on that though.

I thought the same but I'm not sure. Also labour charge will be massive!!

[Guest bigbullhead]

Anymore for anymore !!!!!

[Martin80]

I have just bought a 220d and after reading the posts on here I am starting to think I have made a big mistake.

Is there any good reviews out there or are they all bad.

[bluenose1940]

have a look at one of my old threads..........here

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/76569-problems-headed-off-at-the-pass/