First car, lx450! (1 Viewer)

[tug123]

Just got my first car, a 97 lx450, 3x locked. Love it, but engine's in pretty poor shape - white smoke from exhaust, cylinder 6 misfires, first cylinder has a whopping 98% leak down (mechanic stopped after first). As much as I'd love to learn to rebuild it, don't have the time or space right now. Will probably end up swapping the engine, getting quoted well above $10k for a 1FZ swap though so we'll see. Glad to be here!

 

[effjay80]

Congrats on your first wheels and many happy safe miles ahead.

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

Wow! Lucky dog! My first ride was a Privia mini van that was previously used to haul around my grandpa’s Great Danes. lol.

Well, you came to the right spot for help.

Lucky for you all that you stated is wrong has been all sorted out and carefully documented. All the way down to part numbers and cost..

So excited for you!

 

[BILT4ME]

Just got my first car, a 97 lx450, 3x locked. Love it, but engine's in pretty poor shape - white smoke from exhaust, cylinder 6 misfires, first cylinder has a whopping 98% leak down (mechanic stopped after first). As much as I'd love to learn to rebuild it, don't have the time or space right now. Will probably end up swapping the engine, getting quoted well above $10k for a 1FZ swap though so we'll see. Glad to be here!

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If this vehicle runs, your "mechanic" is an idiot.

98% leakdown? That's a hole in a piston or a valve staying open. Either way, it's not going to run enough to move.

I'm happy you're excited about your first vehicle.

Read about it here a LOT!
Buy tools and do your own work.
Learn how to PROPERLY troubleshoot.
Download the FSM (Factory Service Manual) from the RESOURCES section above. Use it and read it.

Post a YouTube video of this truck starting, running, and smoking, and we can help you with an initial diagnosis.

 

[tug123]

If this vehicle runs, your "mechanic" is an idiot.

98% leakdown? That's a hole in a piston or a valve staying open. Either way, it's not going to run enough to move.

I'm happy you're excited about your first vehicle.

Read about it here a LOT!
Buy tools and do your own work.
Learn how to PROPERLY troubleshoot.
Download the FSM (Factory Service Manual) from the RESOURCES section above. Use it and read it.

Post a YouTube video of this truck starting, running, and smoking, and we can help you with an initial diagnosis.

Thank you all, didn't expect this much help early on haha. It definitely runs, I drove it a few miles and hit 30mph easy, I was a bit surprised by his findings as well. Already ordered paper FSM, should be here this week. I'll post a video tomorrow, at the very least the valve cover gasket looks visibly melted. Definitely smells like gas, not oil, but it's thick white smoke.

Would it be worth it to get the tools for compression/leak down test and do it myself, if nothing else to just learn how to do it? Doesn't seem crazy complicated.

 

[BILT4ME]

Thank you all, didn't expect this much help early on haha. It definitely runs, I drove it a few miles and hit 30mph easy, I was a bit surprised by his findings as well. Already ordered paper FSM, should be here this week. I'll post a video tomorrow, at the very least the valve cover gasket looks visibly melted. Definitely smells like gas, not oil, but it's thick white smoke.

Would it be worth it to get the tools for compression/leak down test and do it myself, if nothing else to just learn how to do it? Doesn't seem crazy complicated.

If you have a Harbor Freight nearby or if Amazon will deliver to you, it's worthwhile to do these tests yourself so you can understand HOW they are done and how to interpret the results.

A lot of folks won't do a leak down test because they are subjective and you must totally understand what you're doing so you're not gathering bad information.

 

[tug123]

If you have a Harbor Freight nearby or if Amazon will deliver to you, it's worthwhile to do these tests yourself so you can understand HOW they are done and how to interpret the results.

A lot of folks won't do a leak down test because they are subjective and you must totally understand what you're doing so you're not gathering bad information.

Fair enough, yeah I have both. I'll do that as well whenever I can get the tools, will surely help me understand the engine better.

 

[BILT4ME]

Fair enough, yeah I have both. I'll do that as well whenever I can get the tools, will surely help me understand the engine better.

Get a compression tester as well as a leak-down tester. They are very similar.

You must have an air compressor for the leak down test.

When you pull your spark plugs, keep them in the same order. Take pics of the ends of the plugs when you pull them BEFORE you clean them. Post those pics here, as they are very typically a tell of what the engine is doing.

If you're going to do an oil change, have a Blackstone engine oil analysis done so they can tell you what's been happening internally. Especially before you start committing to a head gasket or other issues. Blackstone will send you the kits for free, but it's about $25-45 to get the samples done so you can see issues or no issues. Both are very valuable on a new purchase.

 

[lexustruck]

Nice man! Looks a lot like mine except I still have my roof rack

How many miles does it have?
And +1 on the video, maybe drop an engine bay pic while we wait

 

[tug123]

Get a compression tester as well as a leak-down tester. They are very similar.

You must have an air compressor for the leak down test.

When you pull your spark plugs, keep them in the same order. Take pics of the ends of the plugs when you pull them BEFORE you clean them. Post those pics here, as they are very typically a tell of what the engine is doing.

If you're going to do an oil change, have a Blackstone engine oil analysis done so they can tell you what's been happening internally. Especially before you start committing to a head gasket or other issues. Blackstone will send you the kits for free, but it's about $25-45 to get the samples done so you can see issues or no issues. Both are very valuable on a new purchase.

Will order all three, this is very helpful exactly what I needed. Spark plugs are a great idea too, will definitely do this in the next week or so when it all arrives.

We checked the oil and it looked like it had very recently been changed, probably not a bad idea either way didn't know you could even get it tested.

 

[tug123]

Nice man! Looks a lot like mine except I still have my roof rack

How many miles does it have?
And +1 on the video, maybe drop an engine bay pic while we wait

Yeah lost somewhere in the past 30 years haha. Odometer reads 177k, pretty sure it's accurate from the sporadic readings I can find on Carfax.

It's not pretty but here's the engine bay. Service records are scarce, last I have access to is 1998. Pretty sure the last owner only put 30k or so miles in 6 years so it was basically just sitting. I find fresh oil underneath the front axle just about every day, and even though I keep filling the tank about a quarter of the way, every time I check tank is empty. Could be related to the very strong smell of gas from the exhaust when I run it. I have a video of it smoking but it was when I first got it, definitely less smoke now so I'll just get a new video tomorrow.

 

[Francis K]

Ayyyyy! My first car was also an LX450 but that was 23 years ago haha

 

[BILT4ME]

Will order all three, this is very helpful exactly what I needed. Spark plugs are a great idea too, will definitely do this in the next week or so when it all arrives.

We checked the oil and it looked like it had very recently been changed, probably not a bad idea either way didn't know you could even get it tested.

Most of us order and install OEM parts. My 96 LC is the first vehicle I've ever owned that "spits out" aftermarket parts. For ignition parts (plugs, cap, wires, rotor) definitely install Toyota parts. Most people that complain about issues later have used aftermarket stuff.

I order a lot from Ourisman Toyota in Richmond, VA.

Also from www.partsouq.com
Cruiser Outfitters (Cruiser Teq)
Also Olathe Toyota.

There are other dealerships that may be near you, but dealerships are NOT equal in the Toyota world. I can buy from Ourisman and have them delivered to my door for less money than I can drive 5 miles to my nearest dealership. Many times, I can get Toyota parts for the same prices or less than the aftermarket stuff.

 

[tug123]

Most of us order and install OEM parts. My 96 LC is the first vehicle I've ever owned that "spits out" aftermarket parts. For ignition parts (plugs, cap, wires, rotor) definitely install Toyota parts. Most people that complain about issues later have used aftermarket stuff.

I order a lot from Ourisman Toyota in Richmond, VA.

Also from www.partsouq.com
Cruiser Outfitters (Cruiser Teq)
Also Olathe Toyota.

There are other dealerships that may be near you, but dealerships are NOT equal in the Toyota world. I can buy from Ourisman and have them delivered to my door for less money than I can drive 5 miles to my nearest dealership. Many times, I can get Toyota parts for the same prices or less than the aftermarket stuff.

Oh absolutely, I've noticed this just scrolling around on different dealer's sites. Been recommended partsouq many times, I see a 3-4x price differential and have heard even though it's international shipping they deliver really quickly. Ourisman is a great find though, there is one in California I see recommended frequently as well (forget the name now).

Curious, if I were to do an engine swap, where would you generally suggest sourcing a rebuilt 1FZ? Found one on AAA Engines (really bad reviews), CruiserParts, Sunwest Auto, and of course ebay but I feel weird ordering engines off ebay.

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

Will order all three, this is very helpful exactly what I needed. Spark plugs are a great idea too, will definitely do this in the next week or so when it all arrives.

We checked the oil and it looked like it had very recently been changed, probably not a bad idea either way didn't know you could even get it tested.

Before sending oil off for testing, run the new motor oil for a few hundred miles and see how sooty it gets. If it get black very fast.. One could surmise, without tools you have significant blow by and the piston rings are very worn. If the oil stays relatively clean and light brown the motor is at least in decent serviceable shape. Make sure you do this with a new engine air filter, and new oil filter. Also fix any vacuum leaks to eliminate any unfiltered air into the engine..

 

[cruzinfj1]

Check out @Fj80oregon He may be able to help ya out....

 

[BILT4ME]

Oh absolutely, I've noticed this just scrolling around on different dealer's sites. Been recommended partsouq many times, I see a 3-4x price differential and have heard even though it's international shipping they deliver really quickly. Ourisman is a great find though, there is one in California I see recommended frequently as well (forget the name now).

Curious, if I were to do an engine swap, where would you generally suggest sourcing a rebuilt 1FZ? Found one on AAA Engines (really bad reviews), CruiserParts, Sunwest Auto, and of course ebay but I feel weird ordering engines off ebay.

Definitely check with @Fj80oregon . Otherwise, you should buy a NEW Toyota short block and have the head locally reworked.

However, you may find that it's only the head that needs work, the lower end is fine as long as the PO didn't do something stupid.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Thanks for the shout out guys! If you do need an engine I can definitely help out I have a few in various stages of rebuild right now. I would figure out if you need one first could be a simple fix. Fouled plug on #6 or injector stuck open or not opening. Agree with @BILT4ME that a 98% leak down and your truck would not be running enough to drive. Owning these trucks requires maintenance and is probably the best vehicle to learn to wrench on as it’s very simple. Follow these steps that have been recommended and let us know.

 

[tug123]

Awesome, thank you all! I've spent weeks talking to multiple different mechanics, but a few hours here has given me way more information. Makes me feel a lot more confident, I felt like most advice I got was saying to swap the engine because it would be easier to do that than figure out the actual problem. Per the oil, there's no way I'll be able to get 100s of miles on this in the current state, will go through all the other stuff and see where it gets me.

Ordering compression+leak down kits, will post results when they arrive and I figure out how to do it properly. Will also post a video tomorrow of start up, there's a few known leaks as well I can show.

Thank you @Fj80oregon! Great to hear you have some "in stock", if I do end up doing a swap you're more than welcome to the old 1FZ.

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

Hey OP. A lot for guys seems to worship OEM parts from Mr T..which is great for “all original” but, not on the wallet. Seeing as it’s you first vehicle, here is some advice:

In my experience Rockauto.com is an excellent supplier for parts. You just have to know what you are looking at.

Asien and Denzo are OEM manufacturers for Mr. T. So things like cooling parts and ignition parts are good to go.

When it comes to aftermarket stuff, don’t go too cheap or too expensive. Middle ground parts for Toyotas have served me well over the years. I have had very few failures.

Gates is a good aftermarket brand that comes to mind.

Of course there are parts only available from. Mr. T and some are not available at all. You can try your luck at the u-pull or whatever local wrecking yard. Seems like members on here do part swaps as well..

Oh and buy a new fusible link and put it in the glove box.