So we went and looked at a 98 LX today with under 200k. It was in great shape for the age, and was owned for the last 150k by the same owner...but was bought at auction and has no maintenance records. Carfax is clean, but has almost no maintenance on it...and the VIN was coming up as an error on Lexus.com. Everything looked pretty good, or as you'd expect, but I have a question on the AHC (big surprise, right?). The reservoir was WAY overfilled. Even at HI it was well above the seam. It raised and lowered relatively easily (from what I've read on here), but doing the graduation test was tricky. I took pics at HI and LO, but the hood struts were wore out so I don't know if you can tell. Anyone have any idea if A) having an overfilled system would cause damage, or B) if the amount the fluid level seemed to move looks like ~7+ levels?
Looking at an LX, have a couple questions I couldn't
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Crap! Looks like my pics didn't upload. Lemme try again...
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No, the system being overfilled will not hurt anything, the system is not sealed so any true excess will have leaked out of the weep hole in the cap, same with power steering, brake fluid and coolant.
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If somebody "topped" it off with say... brake fluid. That would definitely cause damage and won't be obvious at first.
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If I were to try and translate that blank space above the seam to count tick marks, it doesn't seem like it would quite be seven. But could that be due to the fact the system is overfilled? i.e. If I'm not looking to dump a ton of money into a failed AHC system, should I run away? I was good with just about everything else…but I'm completely new to this system, and don't wanna acclimate myself by having to dump a crapload of money into it right off the bat…
What was the ride like, was it harsh? Could you feel a different between comfort settings. If you are and can then don't worry about the AHC so much, maybe just a fluid change if it has been neglected for a while and just dial in the pressures as much as you can.
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The ride wasn't harsh, but it was definitely bouncy. Felt like the shocks were on their way out. I could feel a little difference between comfort/sport settings...but I didn't know what it should feel like admittedly. The only variable suspension I've ever driven before is Volvo's 4C which is DRASTICALLY different between modes.
I'd love to buy this LX...I just don't want to buy one with a failing AHC. And I just don't know enough about the system to know if it is or not.
For some of you experienced LX owners: if YOU were looking at this rig, would you count it too risky and run?
I'd love to buy this LX...I just don't want to buy one with a failing AHC. And I just don't know enough about the system to know if it is or not.
For some of you experienced LX owners: if YOU were looking at this rig, would you count it too risky and run?
It does sound like the AHC needs some work, whether just a fluid change and dialing in the pressures is enough, or you might need some Accumulators. I can feel a lot of difference between soft and sport.
Why is is overfilled is the worrying thing, the AHC fluid isn't something you just have in your garage. Did the PO comment on this? Someone must of worked on it.
Can the owner show you a receipt for Toyota AHC suspension fluid? With a reservoir fluid level that's significantly above Max (which isn't a technical issue as such, I run mine slightly higher than Max) it really suggests to me that it's been topped off - but with what? Show me the receipt or work order that lists the right fluid. As damper accumulators age they loose pressure and therefore accept more fluid (fill more) under normal operating conditions. Accordingly, the reservoir fluid level gradually lowers and this might (does) encourage owners and unwitting mechanics to top off the reservoir. Not a problem in itself as long as the right stuff is used.
A '98 with 200k on it, if still running original damper accumulators, will have degraded damping as will a conventional system. Serviceable takeoff accumulators can be had for a reasonable price (I just gave a set away for the cost of shipping) so don't get too hung up on potential dealer replacement costs for these parts. It's also very likely the vehicle's neutral pressure are excessively high, and this combined with aged and low pressure dampers causes poor damping. Neutral pressures are easy to correct with Techstream and flat dampers need replacing which is something to factor in at some point. If the system has been topped off with something other than AHC hydraulic fluid then it's possible the damper accumulators will completely rupture in the not distant future. For example, it's been well established brake fluid eats the dampers internal membranes.
As far as your risk goes - it'll need some work, could be cheap and easy to restore satisfactory damping or it may turn out to be beyond economical repair, which is for you to determine, and then fitting a conventional system would probably be the sensible course of action.
A '98 with 200k on it, if still running original damper accumulators, will have degraded damping as will a conventional system. Serviceable takeoff accumulators can be had for a reasonable price (I just gave a set away for the cost of shipping) so don't get too hung up on potential dealer replacement costs for these parts. It's also very likely the vehicle's neutral pressure are excessively high, and this combined with aged and low pressure dampers causes poor damping. Neutral pressures are easy to correct with Techstream and flat dampers need replacing which is something to factor in at some point. If the system has been topped off with something other than AHC hydraulic fluid then it's possible the damper accumulators will completely rupture in the not distant future. For example, it's been well established brake fluid eats the dampers internal membranes.
As far as your risk goes - it'll need some work, could be cheap and easy to restore satisfactory damping or it may turn out to be beyond economical repair, which is for you to determine, and then fitting a conventional system would probably be the sensible course of action.
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It's at a dealer who picked it up at auction. They told me it was "serviced" before they got it. But the dealer has pretty much zero info.
Someone will purchase it, if it's you then I'd factor in the cost of going to a conventional system in the next few months and if that's not necessary because the AHC/AVS systems just needed a little maintenance and lovin' then you're ahead.
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That makes sense. I'll do some reading on cost of switching to a conventional system and factor that into the cost of the LX and determine if the risk is worth it. I appreciate all the input! If you have a rough cost range that would be easy to throw out for converting to conventional, that would be awesome…if not, I'll do my due diligence with the search. Thanks again!
I am not a great fan of service history, I am not sure how it works in the US but over here in the UK all it is, is a stamp in a book, no reports or anything. As the manufactures want there services to look cheap nearly everything is a advisory and at a extra cost, not part of the service itself. You get different services that adds a few more filters and more inspection but that is it. I used to have customers bring there car into the dealership and say no extras they will rebook for extra work, so you advise a heap of work as in brake fluid change, coolant change, new brake components, power steering fluid change etc etc, and they don't get the extra work done but they still have a stamp, only meaningful work done is oil and filter and a report that isn't written in the service book. Give me receipts from someone doing there own services any day.
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I'll probably let this one go. I already ordered Techstream (SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the comparable for other cars I've owned), and will know better what to look for in the future. I'd obviously prefer to buy from a private party who has actual experience with the truck…but a lot of people that own them for a long time seem to trade them in rather than sell them on Craigslist, sadly. Thanks for all the help!
Good luck with your purchase, AHC is just another part of baselining it. It doesn't need everything done at once, just make sure the fluid isn't contaminated, just flush it out asap if there is a possibility it is and then follow Paddo's previous posts on how to dial the pressures in when you get techstream.
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