Hi,
I have IS 300h, bought brand new in 2016 March. Recently I noticed a very bad pungent smell at the start of the engine when the fan is on but disappears if I keep on running the air conditioning. As soon as I turn the a/c off but leave the fan on, the smell is so bad. Worse particularly in warm weather and when the heater is on. Lexus initially run the cleaning liquid free of charge but within 2 days the smell return. I had to ask and agreed to Lexus service in Nottingham to run the diagnostic which is charged per hour. They said they found yellow patch of mould on top of the radiator and the whole radiator needs replacing. I was told they haven't come across this problem before.
I have agreed for the new radiator to be fitted regardless of the cost for 2 reasons (it is not cheap, nearly 3000 GBP !!!).
1. Health and safety reason: I am very concerned as I am not sure how long I have been inhaling it before realising the smell which could affect the lungs in the long term.
2. How to resolve if it occur again if we do not get to the bottom of the problem? Replacing the radiator itself + workmanship charged per hour is very costly. I can't keep on changing it every time it happens.
My question is how do other people resolve this problem? I have started losing faith in the quality of Lexus now.
If anybody can share their experience and suggest anything, I would be much appreciate your help.
Thank you.
Zin
