Emperoh:
What's the duration of change, the spark plugs?

Emperoh:
So, my ES330 acts up this morning.

When i took delivery of the car in Nigeria, i discovered that an after market remote and theft deterrent system was installed. Mine comes with the capacity to start the vehicle without using the key. Just at the press of a button, the car come to life. However you won't be able to drive the car. Once you step on the brake pedal to engage the auto drive, the engine dies.

So once i am ready for work, before stepping out, i would normally start the car from inside my apartment. This is to allow the car warm up before i come out and drive off.

So this morning, i did my usual routine. But lo, the car won't start. Actually i heard a click sound, meaning it apparently tried to start. Even though i heard the doors unlock (i usually unlock the doors before i start). Well, I eventually came out and did some check and discovered that the positive terminal on the battery head was loose. This is quite unusual. But i fitted it back firmly and the car came to life. Problem solved. and i got set to drive out.

But here's where another issue cropped up. Normally at first start in the morning, You will get an RPM of as high as 1500 before it starts dropping as the engine heats up. It then hovers around 800 RPM once the engine is heated. If you engage the gear and switch on the AC, it drops further to say 600 RPM (engine revs up a bit to sustain the load). This speed is able to move the car when in Drive or Reverse (without stepping on your accelerator).

I really didn't notice anything amiss until i engaged Reverse. No movement! It would normally surge forward or backwards once you leave the brake pedal. But the car stood still. If not that i felt the gear engage i would think my gear has kaput. But on powering the car it moved. My eyes went to my RPM monitor and i saw my needle hovering around 300 RPM (at idle without load). I disengaged the gear and it still didn't move beyond 350.

But the car will only move when 'powered'. Long and short, i just knew my car was underpowered and this is unusual. Because of the battery terminal loosening, my codes were cleared. I drove out of the compound and stopped. Went back into my apartment to get my scanner. On starting the car again, i realised the engine won't hold power. It comes on and goes off. On the 3rd start, i just revved it and sustained it for 10 seconds and then I drove off. Got to the office 45 minutes later and ran a scan; the old O2 sensor P2241 was showing. Nothing new. As a precaution, i didn't use the AC. I kept observing to see what it was about.By the time i got to the office, with the car properly heated, idle speed was back to normal and hovered around 700rpm. I loaded the engine (AC and gear engaged). It revved up and looked normal. Everything seemed ok again.

So i am just wondering, what is this all about? Anyone had any previous ideas and can help?

lomomike:


65 litres of fuel can't get you an average of 330miles of driving, rather it can get you 330kilometres (206miles) of driving.

For your 3MZ-FE 3.3L V6 which is used in ES330, 1S330, GS330, RX330, Highlander 3.3LV6 04-07, Camry 04-06. Toyota/Lexus recommends Multigrade SAE 5W30 oil.

Recommended sparkplugs are: DENSO SK20R11 or NGK IFR6A11

lomomike:


These sparkplugs can do 100,000 as long as its not fouled. In lexusownersclub.com, most guys says even at 120,000 youre wasting money and time. Rather an average of 140,000mile then change. But lomomike says, 80,000-100,000 chikena!

bravolad:


Spot on @Mike plus the 2004/2005 Toyota Sienna on 3MZ-FE 3.3L V6 engine. It would be amazing to get that mpg on 65 litres of fuel.

Emperoh:


I am already at 127k and i am not so sure it will not have been changed. The Owners Service Manual also says change at 120k miles.
I also saw that the transmission fluid should also be changed at 120k.

lomomike:


What are you waiting for?

Inspect them, but i must confess, dont attempt that job, instead give it to that unfortunate mechanic who you've been beefing to suffer the brunt for 4-6hours to change the plugs.


Its one of the hardest tedious jobs to do in that car.

You use type T-IV oil right? Usually its changed at 30,000 miles (toyota/lexus wont admit it)

Emperoh:


Ok, now i am worried. My mechanic will chop off my head!!! I guess i will buy and keep the plugs somewhere. 4 hours!!!
I use Toyota Type IV. . . . . haven't done a flush since i got the car. So maybe i start with that.

charlesbid:
I have an Rx 300, 2003 model. When I switch on my car, the Multi-Display screen comes on. I can see the temperature, time, radio station etc. But once I switch on my head lamps(lights) , the Multi-Display screen light goes off or black. Why is this so, that means at night while driving I can't see my Multi-Display. Help me out. Secondly, my multi CD loader was stolen at the tin can port, where do I get it and how much?

lomomike:


Purchase the plugs, call him and strike a bargain on labour before he begins. Highest you should bargain is 2,000. Tell him its ordinary sparkplug change na, no big deal, afterall its not a major work. Highest 20 minutes. If he doesnt know about 3MZ-FE engine sit in ES330, he'll be glad thinking him don job you. He wont know what hit him by the time it hits him hard below the belt.

Sit down with a chilled drink + chicken and watch how he climb your engine and sweat profusely just to replace ordinary sparkplugs.


Lemme post a link for your reading pleasure.


http://www.clublexus.com/forums/es300-and-es330/696222-diy-lexus-es330-v6-spark-plug-replacement.html

Emperoh:


*Faints* So this is how you have been scamming road side!!
I no get mind do roadside biko. . . . . before some knobs go begin miss!

ikuoma4rea:
Just got an RX 350 2009 but I need to know if the navigation system actually works im nigeria.anyone wi5h an experience expecially with d factory fitted not other type.

omonuan:
Does anyone know a good electrician in Lagos? My Lexus 2012 ES 350 does not recognize the push button electronic key. Any ideas and solutions would be appreciated.

mdenigma:
Good day my people. Hope our 'Lexuses' have been performing.
I 'm of the opinion that our forum can be more robust. I've been on the Benz forum for some time and their team spirit is inspiring. They make you want to get a benz. Guys, let's make ours more involving and helpful.
Lastly, what low priced but efficient obdii scanner can I get for my 08es 350. I found some on konga ranging from 4k to 60k.
God help us all

thonerow:
Good day guys, I welcome "me" to the group. seriously though I just noticed my gear does not shift into 4th gear. It just keeps on dragging on gear 3. Any advice please and how much would a toks tranny cost please? Lexus rx300 99

lomomike:


What did you do to your car, did you recently service it or carry out any repair to it?
Check if your O/D. Button is ON, turn it off. If its off, scan it.

thonerow:

I have not done anything on the car in form of repairs of late except top the axle oil. I suspect the issue has been there since I bought the car last year 2014 I probably didn't notice, because the fuel consumption is hell and no d O/D is off. Tanx fr d quick response

lomomike:


Is it it the gearbox or differential you topped oil, which oil did you use?

thonerow:

I honestly don't know which from which but the mechanic claims it is the gearbox axle under the car and that he only topped because if it had dried up it would have affected the gear, i failed to get the oil he used too (real stupid of me).

lomomike:


Go ask him. I feel its either your shift solenoid is bad or gear is slippin due to oil contamination. If the former is your case, get a replacement shift solenoid, if the later is the case buy Toyota Genuine ATF Type T-IV to do a flush. (You'll need to drain and flush about 3 times to properly taclke the contaminant. However, if it doesn't work, get prepared to buy another gearbox.

lomomike:


dont go around altering parts in your car. First get the proximity sensor key battery replaced. Replace with genuine working battery of same spec as factory installed type.

mdenigma:
I wish I was auto savvy like you (mike), siena and ikenna but I think our forum can lean heavily on the few of you guys who have the know-how. As the rest of us get to know more, we should be willing and ready to share. I want to see a day when our forum will be 200 pages long and rich with information. When folks won't be scared of touching the Lexus. The benz myth has been busted. We can do same. Sorry for the late response

omonuan:


ok thank you. I already tried that!

lomomike:


Thanks a lot. I was a novice but I learnt the hard way sha however I still dey learn o however, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. You can feel free to tap from our wealth of knowledge. I believe there is more than enough room in the sky to fly without hitting our wings. Let's get knowledge sir

mdenigma:






I appreciate your modesty.
I asked about getting a low priced obdII scanner. Can you point me in the right direction.
The guys here(kd) charge 5k per scan and many of them don't even understand the codes. Thanks