Mark W

hmmm....if I were to be suspicious.....I collected my GS from Lex Wolverhampton on Tuesday....their report was somewhat strange....one document stated low compression on cylinder 4, the other cylinder 8. They also stated they had found coolant in one of the cylinders (still not sure which one), also said the MAF sensor had gone and had diagnosed the "rough idle" (which I hadnt noticed) due to the fact that I probably had a bent piston - wanted to charge me approx 1K to check - and over 2K if they had to replace.

After excellent advice from other memebers of this forum decided to get a second opinion and took the car to a specialist only a mile away (not lexus specialist but Bently/Merc/Range Rover/Rolls specialists - so used to dealing with larger engines).

When I collected the car from Lexus - noticed the engine mgmt light was no longer lit - and car seemed to drive fine. Took car to specialist - they have called today to state no loss of compression anywhere and cant find any fault with the car...infact stated the engine pretty perfect......

So close one to costing me >2k if i had listened to Lexus Wolverhampton........and i now have my car back running fine....

Thanks Ian/Mac for all your help.....I feel a little more armed when I go in tomorrow. Ive found a local garage only a mile away from the lexus dealer that has loads of positive reviews on an independent website - specialise in Bentleys/Rolls Royce and Range Rovers - so used to dealing with large engines.

Ive dropped them a note (well informed thanks to you guys) and asked if he can look at it for me....

Cheers again.. ;)

did you ever resolve the issue - I appear to be receiving strange diagnosis from Lexus Wolverhampton (I know nothing about engines etc but friendly members of this forum are helping me out big time here)

Also - shouldnt they have done a compression test as part of the dignosis in the first place for a suspect h/gasket?

I'm thinking it may be worth getting a second opinion on it.

Is it safe to drive without causing any (more) serious damage? RAC stated due to being rich it could overheat my CatConv.....even catch fire?????

Wouldnt use for normal driving - just to get it to another garage (ive seen very good comments ref Lexus Hanley)

Just had a thought,,, the analysis showed overrich on both cylinder banks ??

and u have a 430 V8

a piston even blown completely or a head gasket or a valve on one bank would not affect the other bank, i would be tempted to look at an electrical or fueling fault first that is common to both sides

Thanks for your comments Chris.....very helpful certainly as I know nothing about engines so dont know what questions to ask.

Yes its a V8

Definately showed as Bank 1 and 2 - I saw it with my own eyes on the screen.

Lexus told me they had done a compression test - not sure wet or dry and dont know what either is (told you I knew nothing ;o) and all were around 170 but cylinder 4 was at 90.

Only had the car a fortnight but service history shows regular servicing at either lexus dealers or lexus specialist.

If it is a piston - Lexus Wolverhampton have quoted +2K labour only + parts.

To be honest, during the recovery process, I was involved with 3 different "mechanics" - 2 of which did not work for RAC - and they all thought it was an electrical/sensor problem.

Dont really want to fork out around £420 quid getting the engine stripped down and another £480 to put back together if it is an electrical issue.

Not a happy chappie......after only 2 weeks of buying my GS430 (2000 model) in a private sale, engine mgmt light came on.

Luckily in RAC so had it recovered to my local Lexus Dealer (Wolverhampton)

Fault codes were stating "TOO RICH - Bank 1" and "TOO RICH - Bank 2" (RAC connected their diagnosis at scene)

Dealer just called asking if Ive been driving through any water recently - Which I havent - although there has been a lot a rain recently but Ive not been driving through anything you could consider deep.

Then said theres low compression on the 4th cylinder.....(Only 90 instead of 170 on all the others) and suspects its a bent piston.....wants £420 just to strip down and take a look.

Anyone know of any Lexus specialists around the Stafford/Wolverhampton area they could recommend as I dont particularly want to pay £105/hr x 4hrs labour charge just to investigate and see if indeed its a bent piston.

Also, I'm no expert on mechanics.....anyone know why he would ask this given the cars symptoms?

After just over a year of being a non lexus driver I'm now back in the club ;o)

Wrote off my '95 LS400 last year but now the proud owner of a '00 GS430SE Navigator.....What a car! You just dont appreciate what you were missing until you get it back.

Effortless power and surprisingly reasonable mpg - 24 isnt bad given the short journeys ive done so far and Ive also been "experimenting" with the power ;o))

Glad to be back :winky: