Badger1966

Well, As I have said before, the fuel filter change brought the fuel pressure back to normal. The air fuel sensor sorted the power being cut to the MAF, although they did not fix the fault, they did need sorting. They didn't charge for the suction control valve, but also never left the new one on the car. They have allegedly used a donor vehicle to swap parts from in a bid to find the faulty item, even swapped the fuel rail apparently. And they spent a week doing this with no charge. The final thing to swap was the high pressure fuel pump. And here we are at this point. 

And no idea how many miles the pump has done, but they say it's in perfect working order. I also have 14 days to return it if it doesn't work, awesome. 

12 minutes ago, mackemade said:

Badger, you are a legend. it shows the level of the ability of a lexus technician( unless they just could not be arsed ). i hope this cures the problem. are they a pain to get off and did you have to take the bonnet off...

Indeed a pain, and would be very difficult to explain how I did it. But all I have done is take the cover off and cracked the bolts that hold the pump so that I know for sure I can remove it. I have left the pump and all tubes etc in place as I still need to use the car. When I take it completely off I will try to take some pics of my method. And No I didn't need to take bonnet off, just lead across the top of the engine lol

1 hour ago, Shahpor said:

Excellent news, well done! 

You should go back to the dealer and tell them.

Second hand pump time?

And don't worry, my conversation will be very interesting with Lexus on Monday morning. I can hardly believe I managed to do something that a Lexus technician couldn't. Not to mention saving myself £960 in labour! 

Well I am having an awesome day. I just made a deal on eBay and got a pump so say 100% working for £110 delivered  Not sure I will be able to fit it before next Saturday though. 

Stop press!! The Badger meister has triumphed in the face of adversity. I have done what no Lexus mechanic could do. I have undone the bolts holding the pump on!!!!!!! Oh yes indeed. I am almost speechless. I might just have to have a nice sausage sandwich and coffee to celebrate!     

I agree, they don't have a clue. Well I am going to have a go at the mounting bolts later this morning. I have found some cheap pumps on eBay. And also confirm they are from cars written off by accident not fault code, lol. 

ECU has come to mind, but again big bucks. And I imagine it is not plug and play. Even the suction control valve needs its software update. I would imagine any ECU replacement would have to be done at Lexus so that they can program it. And they would also need to know what electrical items have been replaced and when or what version. The car is like a PC, for example you replace the graphics card in your PC, you need new drivers to make it work properly.. 

Indeed, what else could it be. But until its fitted and the car works, it's not a guarantee. It's just another thing to try. But having said that, from what Lexus have done, I don't think it can be anything else.  

No, they were just going to swap the pump to see if it cures the fault. I've thought of a second hand pump. But it would have to be off a low milage car for me to take the chance. I will look into that. But I still have the problem of getting the old one off. Even if I take it to an independant garage, I am still looking at alot of labour and still the cost of the pump. Which is still going to be well in excess of £500 all in I think. And no guarantee of a cure. Where do you draw the line...

Well I got the car back. A suggestion was to take gear box off and tilt the engine to get to the bolts. But having found out that the pump is £1600 plus vat, it sort of writes the car off any way. Also considering it still may not fix the fault. I asked if I could get the bolts out would they let me fit the pump from there donor car, but no, the donor car is apparently off to auction. If I had a pump to borrow to see if it fixed the fault, I may go to the trouble. But as it stands, still no fix and beyond economical repair. Grim day indeed.

Well I am going to have a go at them this morning. At the end of the day, they said they would not stop until they fix it. It is not my fault the bolts are overtightened, and its not my fault they rounded the heads of the bolts. It's going to be an interesting morning! Here is a pic of the bolts in question. The first pic shows the cover mounted, the second pic shows the two bolts with holes in them. 

Yep, no harm in trying I suppose. And yes the service history proves Lexus Cardiff did the work. But I will have a go at the bolts myself, I am sure I have come across worse in the past! Access will be the issue. I am getting the car back tomorrow and I will have a go on Sunday, weather permitting. The bolts actually have a threaded hole in which the "pump protector" fits to. Like a bolt in a bolt. A ready made hole to use what I call an "easy out" or "bolt extractor" I am surprised Lexus didn't try that. I will find out more tomorrow...

Its has 10000 mile old Ferodo front discs and pads, they look like new. New MAF sensor, new fuel filter, new air fuel ratio sensor and 1000 mile old alternator. Good Pirelli P7 front tyres and good contisport rear tyres. Body needs attention and wheel need a refurb. Not to mention all sensors etc excluding high pressure fuel pump in perfect working order according to lexus.

Well you have to laugh or you will cry. Well i'm crying! I can't believe it. Good luck with both your cars mackemade! 

Any one want to buy mine for spares?

Well I considered contacting Cardiff Lexus, but as I didn't buy the car from them, they will just say nothing to do with us, and I expect Lexus UK would say the same! It may have 100% full Lexus history, but I didn't buy it from lexus and that will be their get out clause. And if a bolt is seized then it's seized. Nothing other than drilling it out will do. There just isn't enough access with out taking the engine out according to Bristol Lexus. I am screwed. 

It is right behind the engine against the bulkhead. And I think they are allen key bolts, and once they round off that's that. I just had a better look at the diagram, they appear to be normal bolts

Well guys, the latest update. After having every possible sensor, even the common rail swapped, they can only come up with one thing left. The high pressure fuel pump on the back of the engine. The problem is that when the engine was rebuilt, for the 2nd time! by Lexus Cardiff, the assumption is that they didn't torque the fuel pump bolts, they just did them up f*****g tight, so tight they can't get them undone.The only solution is to take the engine out and drill the bolts out. And at almost £1000 labour plus the cost of the new pump, it basically writes the car off. I could cry, words fail me. You can't believe how i'm feeling at the moment. 

Helloooo, faulty fuel temp sensor seems good to me. The whole problem is temperature related I think. Had a new alternator recently, Battery seems very good, it never ceases to amaze me how it keeps starting the engine so often without going flat. No idea on the earths, but I know that can cause problems. And yes, I would like to think Lexus would have checked everything possible before going down the road of swapping parts. Still waiting for news, so I will update as soon I hear anything.

Lol, bring on the LS600h. Can't wait to try that! 

Indeed mega miles, but nice to hear it's still going. Thanks for the info on the gaskets. Good luck with the 5th injector etc. Not sure you could see the valves without taking the rocker cover off? Or cam cover some people say. And no, mine still not fixed.

Hi guys.

Scott, I can also check for any fault code if you happen to be in Bristol. Even do a live test as well, although I'm not really sure how to interpret the results. 

And Shahpor, indeed your right. Alot of progress has been made, and when the car has been reset, it seems to be great. But after it goes into limp mode for the first time, its not quite the same. Although the cars runs ok, it still not running right when it's running. If that makes sense, lol. 

And yes, for sure Lexus Bristol will not stop until they find the fault, no matter how long it takes. And as they haven't fixed the fault they will not charge me any more money  Awesome. Bad news is I had to swap the NX300h for a CT200 sport today as they had sold the NX. Wow that NX was awesome, I loved it. Still, mustn't grumble, the CT is very nice as well! 

Hi Sco77is220d, No idea how you test it my good man. All I can say is that when the fault code was reset after the valve was fitted and then it did 40mpg. After it went into limp mode again it went down to, I think he said 35mpg, so definitely an improvement. I'm not sure Lexus could test it as such, The valve didn't show a fault code, they just changed it of the back of a Lexus bulletin. So lets wait for a total fix and I can keep you posted on the mpg. Although it is a bit to much of a coincidence that after it was fitted the mpg shot up! As for the pulsing, I am not sure if that's gone or not. But if its connected to the flat spots in power, then I think the air fuel sensor sorted that. I didn't notice it after it was fitted, but I didn't drive it much before it went back into Lexus. All I can do is share my experience and hope it helps people  Do you have any fault codes? 

I think Lexus only sell the Pressure sensor with the fuel rail, although not 100% sure. But the Toyota part I previously mentioned is the same part available separately. And I have to say, Lexus Bristol are having major issues finding the fault. And they have put in some serious effort, I really can't fault them. Now they did find things wrong, but nothing has cured the main fault, so I fear if you go to lexus you could be in the same boat as me. If you can hold fire until mine is fixed, it may save you a lot of grief and expense. I'm over £650 with more to come! I don't know how much extra.  

That is an insane amount of carbon build up, crazy. Out of interest, how many miles does your car have? And did you re use the gaskets? If mine ever gets fixed I will make it a priority to clean the manifold.

Hi lexy220d, that's an odd one. Are your glow plugs ok? Well all the expectation and anticipation of a fix has turned into utter disappointment. Yep, no fix. Although the mpg is still much better. I guess the suction control valve may be a fix for the poor mpg, but not for my main fault, the dreaded going into P0093 limp mode. So, on with the fault finding. Apparently they have a "donor" vehicle which they are going to swap parts from until they find the culprit. Shame it's not fixed, but it can only be a matter of time now, and I have their assurance that they will not stop until they find the fault! I must say that everything thats been done has had an effect though. New fuel filter sorted low fuel pressure, new fuel and oxygen sensor seems to have sorted the flat spots in power and the new valve seems to have sorted the poor fuel economy. Long term will confirm all this though. Keep your fingers crossed, again, lol