QuestionI have almost 200,000 miles on this car. I just had the transmission, starter, battery and air condition replaced at Lexus of New Orleans, I also changed the main hose to in-take, and I thought that was the problem, but it would run a long ways until I come to stop and it would just kill. I try to start and it would turn over, but kill. Then I wait a while and it'll start like nothing. What could be the problem.
AnswerDoes the ECU throw the check engine light? If it is, it's storing codes. We need to find out what they are. (Short TE1 & E1 in a diagnostics port. Count the check engine light flashes when the ignition is turned ON)
I would start by checking for proper fueling, and fuel pressure at the fuel rail. At 200,000 miles it may be time for the first (or second) fuel filter change. Or the pump could be going bad. Checking the fuel pressure will let you know. It should be 41psi warming up, or wide open throttle. Around 37psi idling. But most importantly, when you shut the engine off. After 5 minutes, it should maintain 25psi at the fuel rail.
Replacing the distributor cap & rotor would be a good idea. Change the spark plugs (They *MUST* be Denso, or NGK plugs. No Bosch, or American plugs. They're weak sparking on Denso ignition systems), and inspect the spark plug & ignitor wires. If the ignition wires are faulty, like the plugs. DO NOT replace them with cheap chain store, or "American" parts. They are of the lowest quality. Use Denso (Toyota), NGK, or Vitek wires.
It sounds harsh, but American & German ignition parts just dont' work on Japanese vehicles very long. They're always of the lowest quality. You put Bosch's top of the line +4 platinum plug in a Toyota, in 5,000-10,000 miles it'll be nearly worthless. Compaired to a $1.50-$2 gneeric, bottom of the line NGK/Denso, which should still be sparking hot 45,000-60,000 miles later. So stick to NGK, or Denso.
I will say things off your topic of discussion, just so you know.
First, stop going to Lexus. It's mechanically a v6 Toyota Camry (The brake system is from a Camry Wagon). It's actually a left hand drive Toyota Windom from Japan with Lexus, instead of Toyota badges if you want to get technical! Go to a *Toyota* dealer. You'll pay atleast 2/3 of the labor rate and 2-6x less amount for the idtentical parts. (If you'll notice. You don't have parts & part codes on your car stamped Lexus. They're all stamped Toyota, or Nippon-Denso / ND = Toyota/Lexus/Scion parts.)
The second is great job @ 200,000 miles!!! The engine & transmissions when well taken care for will last practically the physical life of the car.
The particular ceveate in your case is the cooling system maintenance. You *must* stay ontop of cooling system maintenance as the car ages. If the engine ever overheats one time. By the time it reads on the gauge & you catch it. The head<s> will have warped & you've blown a head gasket!
Flush the coolant every other year (DO NOT use Toyota red coolant), change the thermostat, radiator & intake manifold pressure caps also. Timing belt changes for you on the revised schedule are 90,000 miles. Change the water pump at the same time. (Originally 60,000 miles.)
If you plan on keeping the car. I would spend the $40-60 for installing an auxillary transmissin cooler on the new transmission. Greater than 90% of all transmission failures come from overheated fluid. If you do that & change the transmission fluid every now & then. The new one will likely never fail. (Always do that on any new car you buy & regardless of the manual on any vehicle... Flush, or atleast change the fluid in the pan every 3 years. Barring a poor design part failure, you'll never reuin a transmission with a stock engine.)
Dexron-III transmission fluid is cheap. You need about 4 quarts to just drain the pan & refill it. Works exactly like an oil change if you do your own maintenance.
www.clublexus.com is a good community of ES owners also.
