Planning to buy LX470, few questions (1 Viewer)

[outdoor7or24]

So I am familiar with the hundred series but not familiar with the Lexus lx470. I have a few questions. First how do I make sure the hydraulic dampeners are working correctly?

Second the previous owner said vehicle was in a wreck damaged in the rear, and the rear bumper and from the Lexus car owner report the rear differential had to be replaced. Is this going to be a problem it has 180,000 miles since this happened?

third it has shown to have some AC issues for the life of the vehicle but nothing major has been done with the exception of adding some freon. Where should I look for potential leak sites? The vehicle has been a southern vehicle its entire life, and maintained by the same Lexus dealer for it is entire life.

The vehicle has 260,000 mi in appears to be in very good cosmetic condition as well as mechanical condition. I really like the color, and the fact that it has all the maintenance reports available.

Is there anything else I should be aware of besides that usual 100 series stuff? It is a 2004 model.

 

[mstakacs]

I have a 2004 LX470. just do the High - Low test and mark the fluid level. I think minimum 7 lines to be in good working order. Mine has 264,000 miles and drives like brand new. Except for last week, teenager was travelling 80mph on highway and slammed on brakes and rear-ended a Mustang. Just front bumper damage. PO capped rear AC line since that appears to be a common problem. I stuck in a can of Stop Leak and a can of R134a and it has been perfect through this nasty summer. Major area rust problem is upper rear hatch. Other than that, maintenance records are like gold. Check for timing belt/WP change date.

 

[geanes]

Everything and more than you'd ever need to know about the AHC system:

Definitive list of AHC maintenance items

A quick test of the efficacy of the system would be to drop the vehicle into Low, then measure the height of the fluid in the reservoir (passenger side of engine compartment against firewall). Next, elevate the vehicle to High, then measure the height of the fluid in the reservoir. There should be at minimum 8 graduations between the heights. Anything less means the system is on the way out. 14 graduations would be ideal. Mine is a 1998 with 160k on it now. I get 11 graduations.

Also, there are four "globes" around the vehicle (1 for each wheel located on the outboard side of the frame....fronts behind wheels, rears in front of wheels). Take a flashlight and see if there is any "weeping" of fluid around the collars.

As for the differential: what was it replaced with? Aftermarket? Reman? If it's a Toyota reman, I wouldn't have any problem with it.

As for the AC: check the cabin filters first (located behind the glovebox). Then, check the fan (located under and behind the glovebox). After that, check the vacuum lines to make sure they aren't old and cracked which causes them to seal improperly.

Here is the definitive list of BIG things to check for:

Slee Off-Road 100 Series Newbie Guide

The only major differences mechanically between the LC and LX would be the AHC, Auto-away steering column, electric folding mirrors and real wood trim.

 

[04gto]

If you are really concerned about the AC system (you should be), I would have a professional leak test done prior to purchase. Take it to a mechanic who does lots of AC work as part of your pre-purchase inspection process. Only takes about thirty minutes.

Context: When I bought my LC100 last summer (got a great deal) I knew it needed extensive AC work. I purchased all the parts myself, piece by piece, deal by deal, from Toyota, Ebay, Rock Auto, Amazon etc. Including all hoses, hard lines, evap, condenser and misc for about $850. Then I found a shop that would agree to do the work with my parts (most won't) for about $500. So $1350 would be a minimum full AC resto on this vehicle with a front only unit. And that was with very shrewd bargain shopping. If you went to a dealer it would cost $3000 plus. I was quoted $3635.77 for all this work at Marina Toyota.

Good luck.

 

[2001LC]

If your wrench go for it. Be prepared for base line and few other issue to bring back to factory spec, about $3 to $4 in parts/materials if you shop well. Look through the links in my signature to see some common stuff to inspect/repair/replace! You'll also see some AHC test In "Redbaron" like the high to low 11 grads' which is what you want. There is also some time test for time up and time down of AHC you'll see. Brake test and more.

If rear diff was replaced as result of accident that would be a red flag. See if AC issue started after accident. Could have leak in rear air system, as result of accident. If these two issue related to accident stay clear. But minor accident especially rear are no big deal in general, it is a LX470 (land Cruiser with lipstick).

04 did have a transmission issue, Lexus owner records would show if replaced or fixed. Shouldn't be a problem at 260K, as happens early in life. You can test drive to repeating specified condition to see! It's fixable as anything is with the exception of rust. Make sure it not a rust bucket, those are best for parts rigs.

04 to early 05

2004 Transmission Issue - Washboard Vibration, Shudder



"TRANSMISSION & CLUTCH
TC001-05
Title:
FIFTH GEAR SHUDDER
Models:
'04 - '05 LX 470 (includes LC according to other post)
January 28, 2005
Introduction

FIFTH GEAR SHUDDER Service Bulletin : 00105 - JAN 28, 2005 NHTSA Item #: 10015192

Component: POWER TRAIN

Models affected: 2004-’05 LX 470 vehicles produced before the Production Change Effective VIN: JTJHT00W#53553516 11/2004. LC VIN JTEHT05J#52073579 11/2004

Some 2004 and 2005 model year LX 470 vehicles may exhibit a shudder (or vibration) sensation, usually accompanied by a cyclic droning noise, when lightly accelerating (less than 15% throttle) after the transmission shifts into 5th gear (usually between 35 and 45 mph). This condition may be caused by water entering the transmission breather, contaminating the transmission fluid. The transmission breather has been changed to prevent water intrusion."

 

[outdoor7or24]

Thanks for all these tips.
The records on lexus drivers show no issues with the transmission.
They recommended motor mounts to be replaced but that was declined at 83 k....

The A/C issue has been noted since the vehicle was at 13k, but the records show only one time the freon was low after tests, evacuation of the system, etc. Maybe just an OCD owner? Records show the owner complained vehicle would not cool off
240747 MILES
DESCRIPTION: COMPLETED ~|~C/S: G/S THE A/C DOESNT BLOW COLD AIR AFTER SHE'S BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE. LIKE IT FREEZES UP? FAN MOTOR? PLEASE CK AND ADVISE. ~|~ ~|~240747 RECHARGED A/C
DESCRIPTION: RECHARGED AC AND ADDED DYE ~|~RECHARGE A/C W/ DYE ~|~ ~|~240747 A/C FREON LOW 1.0HR 6796 RECHARGED A/C AND ADDED DYE

Not A/C issue 95565 MILES
DESCRIPTION: TECHNICIAN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE GUEST CONCERN AT THIS TIME, OPERATIONS ARE NORMAL ~|~CUSTOMER STATES THAT AT IDLE, IN GEAR, FOOT ON BRAKE AND COLD OUTSIDE THER EIS A HUMMING/VIBRATION FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR. SHIFT TO NEUTRAL OR RELEASE THE BRAKE SYMPTOMS GO AWAY ~|~ ~|~95565 COULDNT DUPLICATE GUEST CONCERN AT THIS TIME. ALL OPERATIONS ARE NORMAL.


83859 MILES
RECOMMEND REPLACING MOTOR MOUNTS. PARTS $288.00 & LABOR $421.46. CUSTOMER DECLIN RECOMMEND REPLACING TRANSMISSION MOUNT. PART $64.00 & LABOR $118.00. CUSTOMER DE


DESCRIPTION: NOTE TO TECH /CHECK AND ADVISE ~|~CUSTOMER STATES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE IS OUT IN THE SUN FOR AWHILE, THE A/C WILL NOT COOL VEHICLE DOWN (VEHICLE PARKED OUT FRONT LET SIT FOR A FEW HOURS) ~|~ ~|~83859 1.0 TECH 693 TEAM 8000 INSPECTED AC AFTER SITTING WITH DIAGNOSTIC SPECIALIST. NO FAULT WAS NOTED IN COOLING. EVACUATED THE AC SYSTEM AND PUT INTO A VACUME. 1.89LBS WAS REMOVED. .3LBS LOW. RECHARGED THE AC SYSTEM AND INSTALLED DYE TO IDENTIFY ANY SMA

83121 MILES

DESCRIPTION: TECHNICIAN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE GUEST CONCERN AT THIS TIME, OPERATIONS ARE NORMAL ~|~CUSTOMER STATES THE A/C DID NOT COOL DOWN ~|~ ~|~83121 COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN NO CHARGE INSPECTED THE AC SYSTEM FOUND SYSTEM TO BE OPERATING AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME. PRESSURES ARE AT THE CORRECT LEVEL. NO REPAIRS RECOMENDED THANK YOU

26050 MILES

DESCRIPTION: NO PROBLEMS FOUND AT THIS TIME, A/C SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED, WE TORECHAR ~|~A/C ISSUES, WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY AC QUIT WORKING, THE AIR DID NOT BLOW FROM THE VENTS OR ANYWHERE ELSE,COULD HEAR THE BLOWER MOTOR RUNNING. THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING FINE AND ~|~ ~|~26050 MADE SURE THE SYSTEM WAS FULL OF FREON. CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS AT THIS TIME. CALL TECH ASSISTANCE, THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION AT THIS TIME BUT A CASE NUMER HAS BEEN OPENED. #061640137

DESCRIPTION: SEE LINE C ~|~ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AND QUIT BLOWING COLD AND THE AIR TRAVEL STOPPED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS MORNING IS STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT SHE IS GOING ON A TRIP D ~|~ ~|~26050

11125 MILES

DESCRIPTION: A/C NOT COOLING ~|~A/C NOT COOLING, DIAG ADDED DYE LAST TIME IN FOR SVC.-- LOOK FOR LEAKS PLEASE--DLA ~|~//DB ~|~A/C IS COOLING PROPERLY AT THIS TIME. PRESSURES ARE NORMAL. NO LEAKS FOUND AT THIS TIME.