6-99: CV boots cracked and universal exposed. Replaced both CV axles. $40 each, Autozone.
3-01: Losing coolant. Replaced radiator, $75 @ Autozone.
7-02: Leaking PS hose. Too costly to replace, $300!! just for part, no Toyota equivalent. I took it to a hydraulic hose repair shop, and the guy fixed the original hose for $50. I reinstalled it.
11-02: Exhaust hole in down-pipe. Found entire exhaust assembly on a 91 Camry wagon in a local yard for $50. It took me 15 minutes to unbolt the old and bolt in the new.
4-03: AC compressor failure: Replaced compressor: $300 @ Autozone. AC friend recharged with R12 free!
5-03: Blown AC hose: Replaced, $25 @ Autozone. AC friend recharged with R12 free!
6-03: Rough idle and power loss: Replaced plugs, wires, and distributor cap.
8-24-03: Soft and unresponsive suspension: New shock struts ($110 for 4) front and rear. Bolted in myself with the aid of 2 spring compressors.
9-03: Replaced all disc brake pads, $30 for all 4 @ Autozone.
10-16-03: Failed emissions inspection: Worn out catalytic converter, $100 mailorder part. Welded in myself.
1-5-04 Alternator light came on, no charging. Pulled out alternator. Bolt was stuck and broke. I drilled out the old one (hard metal, not easy) and replaced it. Bolt was $6 @ Toyota dealer. Replaced alternator brushes ($26 @ Toyota dealer). Tightened oil pan bolts to seal leak.
4-10-04 208678 miles, check engine light came on at idle: Cleaned air filter, dirt from local contruction clogged it.
Replaced metal trim on pass rear door, $14 @ Autozone.
The general theme here is: Don't be a sucker and take this car to a Lexus dealer. Avoid any shop and DO IT YOURSELF. Yeah, they might treat you nice and give you coffee, a smile and a 'free' car wash, but you can take your paycheck and feed it to your dog with the same result.
Find an Autozone, get a Haynes 90-91 Camry manual ($12) (no Lexus manuals yet), a diagnostic code reader ($30), a few good metric tools, and make friends with AC technician.
This car is well designed to work on yourself, as any Lexus or Toyota.
Your telling the average Joe to replace the spark plugs himself? How about that rear valve cover gasket? Then there's always that water pump that will go out by 100k... fun stuff for any guy with a repair manual... I disagree! This car is not user friendly like the Toyota 4 cylinders or even their V8!!
This car is one of the most difficult cars to work on that I have ever come across. Something as simple as changing the spark plugs, requires hours of work and special tools. They're good running vehicles, but very expensive to maintain due to the difficulty to do anything yourself with them, other than change the oil and put in gas.
I bought a 91 es250 in 2004,it had 89000 miles on it.. LOVE this car. I changed timing belt at 103000 and then my rotor button and cap got burned out about 4000 miles later. Fixed that problem and now my transmission is gone crazy. I thought at first that the timing belt was put on incorrect, but because of the miles I had driven in between problems, I am ruling that out. I realize the computer will compensate for a lot of things, but I'm not convinced it would go 4000 miles before burning out the cap and rotor.I'm still determined to fix this trans problem myself. Thanks for your comments on what repair manual to purchase.. If anyone knows any thing about this I am all ears..leoco@alltel.net.
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