Hi Chips,
GOOD NEWS. My mechanic has sorted it.
Took the throttle body off and soaked the whole assembly in a solvent bath. He then sprayed liberal quantities of carb cleaner into the Idle Air Valve, and then lubricating everything with WD40, including the electrical connectors.
Now starts perfectly and runs fine when cold. Idle speed is still a bit low (around 750 rpm) so I am going to re-set the ECU (there is a post on this) which may sort it. Plan to do this tomorrow (Monday) so will keep the board "in the loop".
So, saved myself 500 quid :), but just discovered that one of the front brake calipers has a siezed piston . Explains the odd feel to the brakes, which also exhibit the usual wobble. Having new discs and pads fitted, provided I can source a caliper. So much for the legendary Lexus reliability. I have had 5 BMW 5 Series with over 100k on the clock, plus a Saab turbo with 154,00 which I sold two years ago and is still going strong, and none of them has given me any of this grief.
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Guess what!, I have exactly the same problem for some time as well with my MKII GS. Perhaps this is common issue with GS.
Lst year Lexus Twickenham seemed unable to sort it out. After charging rediculous amount to clean the throttle body they claimed everything was fine (but actually no improvment at all).
I lived with it for a year. And now she is back in Lexus Twickenham for annual service - and guess what - they spot the problem ! and now are charging me again to look at it!"
They will be calling today - I will post the result.
meanhwile, are there more of us out there who had the same issue and have some more advice on how to deal with it.
I am really fed up paying disgusting Lexus dealer prices for nothing - could anyone advise of a repuatable non-lexus garage near the Twickenham area.