New Is 220D Owner Asking Some Questions! :-)

[Liam_Jay]

Sorry for double post, i think the original is in the wrong area!........

Hi all,

First post here! And im now a very proud member of the Lexus Owners Club....Wahhooooo :-)

anyway.....

I have recently purchased my first Lexus, an IS 220d (2007) with approx 44k miles on the clock. I bought as needed a 4 door car due to a new arrival and absolutely fell in love with the shape and looks of the car, plus the fact i shall own a Lexus!

I part ex'ed a new shape fiesta tdci zetec S, and the difference in comfort, power, and equipment is phenomenal! Although, NEVER BUY FROM EVENS HALSHAW!!!! Worst buying experience EVER!!!

Anyway, im here to ask a few questions.............

After reading here about poor MPG and the EGR valve, i took it upon myself to have a run around and see what mpg i was getting. in a mixture of dual carriageways, and town driving it was averaging 27-36 (it really couldn't make up its mind). I then took it upon myself to disconnect the Battery in hope of resetting the ecu to learn my style of driving and clean the EGR valve. By the looks of how gunked up it was with carbon, it had never been done....Pictures to follow.....so after a hour or so with a screwdriver and some carb cleaner it was looking alot healthier so i bolted it all back together. I then removed the MAF sensor and gave this a clean with the carb cleaner as well to get rid of the crap on the platinum resistance wires.....Battery connected, I started her up and with a cough and a splutter she came to life.

I took it for a spin and it appears that the MPG has dropped and if im honest i cant really feel any gain in power, torque or smoothness etc......But at least i know that i have a clean EGR for the next few thousand miles.......To this i am miffed and if you could shed any light i would be appreciative! :-)

Also in the engine bay there is a sticker over the ECU housing stating that in 2010 it had an eCU update by lexus dealer code 599.....does anyone know why this would be?

I know that the Head Gaskets on this car are renowned for going pop, but at 44k miles im hoping i am safe.....at the moment! I rang lexus to enquire about it being covered and they have told me that it should be but each case is individual and it depends on service history. It has 4 Lexus service stamps, 1 unipart independent and then one from Evens Halshaw (where i purchased from). Lexus then tried to offer me a warranty for 2 years @ £40pm....i was tempted but i have explained to them that i have a years warranty from Evens Halshaw already. They then told me that after it ends, im still able to have there extended warranty.........Is this something worth doing?

Drive wise the car drives as every 220d does. When in gear fine, getting there a bit notchy and long winded due to the ratio......However.....When i depress the clutch i hear a spinning rattly noise.... It does not effect anything and you cant hear with the radio on but with it off you can, and as i only have this to compare with the fiesta diesel i had (as ive only owned these 2 diesels).....is this normal? The fiesta changed just like a petrol if im honest......?

Also the wheels are BRAND NEW not a mark on them, i cant imagine anyone payin]g for a new set so im assuming this must be a warranty thing, and if it is how long are the wheels warranted for?

I know i could ring lexus and find out some of the answers but its a right ball ache and makes me feel a bit stupid, plus i believe that people who own the cars can give more insight and better answers!!

thank you for your time

Liam

P.S....heres the pics of the mucky EGR.

[bluenose1940]

Hi Liam, there are numerous threads on here referring to the EGR Valve on the 220d and I'm sure that you will find them all extremely interesting.

Have a look at this one for a kick-off, it's one that I started quite some time ago and you will see that the results from my efforts were brilliant.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=76569&hl=

Hope this will be of some help to you, enjoy your car.

[steve2006]

Hello and welcome to the LOC.

It sounds like you know your way around an engine so that will save you money on a DIY basis.

The reason perhaps behind the fuel economy falling may be due to the ECU relearning and may improve once driven for a while.

The noise you hear sounds like the clutch release bearing but I doubt the warranty would cover it as it would be considered "wear and tear" no doubt. Hopefully it's not a faulty DMF.

Lexus wheels are renowned for corrosion problems and it has never been fully addressed, replacements fitted under warranty are commonplace and it has been known for more than one replacement set having been supplied.

The salt on our roads doesn't help matters so regular cleaning and wheel wax help preservation.

Regarding the Head Gasket problem in general Lexus seem to be accepting responsibility for cars up to 7 years old and under 107k provided it has a FLSH.

Any Lexus dealer should be able to provide a full printout of all work done by them but they normally ask for proof of ownership so take your V5C.