robby g

Hi Guys. After getting a bill for £542 for replacing the EGR and MAF sensors the car got worse. It would tick over but wouldn't rev. I bit the bullet and took it to Lexus last Thursday. With the bank Holidays and stuff I gave them a call on Tuesday. They said that they thought that it was the high pressure fuel. Even they resorted to using the internet they told me. The pump was £1300 and it was engine out to fit it. I said that After already spending almost a £1000 that they needed to be more certain that just 'thinking' that it's the pump! They agreed to cut the labour rate down to £65 per hour from their claimed £110.00 and also discounted the pump. I also asked them to do an ECU reflashes/updates. I collected the car this morning after settling the bill for £1939.73 and not only did it run and rev properly, it felt like a different car. The turbo lag from 1st to second was so much better, you caould actually crawl on to a roundabout in second or even 3rd gear. You can put it in 4th at 40mph and it will immediately accelerate. I've learned a lesson here. I wish I'd gone to Lexus in the first place. Their computer can shut off the injectors one at a time and get fuel pump readings etc The specialist did as much as he could before I took it to Lexus but the next step was to send the injectors off and the pumps for testing at £50 each. That would have been another £300 plus vat down the drain. Lexus confirmed that my car did have the modded cat fitted and as stated they did the latest ECU update for the vehicle. I'm poor but I'm happy to have the car back. Thank you for those that offered advice and I hope that by my leaving the results of my experience that it may assist someone in the future. Cheers Robby

Ye it's an 06 car. Update: After the MAF sensor was fitted it allegedly drove okay for around 5 minutes, boosting properly. Then it seemed to lose power again. There appears to be a fuel contamination problem. The tank and pump have been removed and contained like a green coloured goo. The fuel line has been cleared but it could be that the pump or injectors are not performing correctly. To send these items away for testing would cost £50 per item which is normally deducted from any repair costs. However these injectors are non repairable I'm told. I have therefore had the car transported to Lexus as it wont even drive now and I'll get the experts to diagnose. The car still shows no fault codes, it's very strange??? I'll keep you updated on how I get on. It could be the high pressure fuel pump? God knows. I've had a couple of is220d's before over the years and I think this will be my last :-(

Thanks for your reply. I have received an update today stating that they think the cause is the air flow meter (MAF). A new one has been ordered and will be fitted early next week. I shall keep you informed. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Hello guys I've been researching what appears to be a very common complaint on the Lexus is220d about the massive turbo lag and general lack of power. My car was boosting just under 2000rpm but as soon as you went in to second it was flat as anything, almsot to the point of being dangerous. Last Saturday I decided that I was going to buy a tuning box for it to try and alleviate the lag and some add some much needed low down torque. I have since ordered this. In the meantime I asked my mechanic to remove and check the EGR. He did this on Monday and it was very very carboned up. He cleaned it and the manifold where it had a build up of carbon and sadly it had no effect. He suggested that the EGR could be faulty so I agreed to it being replaced which cost £320 just for the part. This was fitted on Wednesday and very disappointingly, it had no positive effect. The car now isn't boosting properly (before the EGR was fitted), it starts to boost and then cuts off prematurely and just seems so flat. I have now put the car in to a recommended technician who is a good 'fault finder' but wondered if any of you guys may have had experience with turbo boost problems? The first mechanic also cleaned the MAF sensor for me. The car hasn't been seen by Lexus since 2008 so I am unaware if it has had any recalls, ECU updates etc I'm so stressed out, I just want a car that can be driven. The chip box arrives on Monday but I feel that the underlying problem (the turbo boost) at least needs sorting first before fitting it. Any advice, suggestion or contributions are most welcomed. Thank you in advance. Robby.