Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[UPDATED: What's really going on with Toyota's faulty valve springs [w/ video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/whats-really-going-on-with-toyotas-faulty-valve-springs-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/whats-really-going-on-with-toyotas-faulty-valve-springs-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/whats-really-going-on-with-toyotas-faulty-valve-springs-w-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Failed Lexus IS350 valve spring - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota's announcement of plans to recall 270,000 of its V8 and V6 models, including a number of Lexus sedans, was a little light on information. The company didn't say much about the issue other than faulty valve springs could cause a vehicle's engine to stall while driving. Fortunately, the same anonymous source that came through with some information during Toyota's recent pedal recall crisis has stepped up to fill-in some of the blanks.

Apparently, Lexus dealers have been encountering the defect for a few years. The fault typically manifests itself as a zig-zag break about three-quarters up the valve spring. This means that typically, the spring still has enough tension to keep the valve retainers in place, preventing the valve itself from going all hari-kari on the cylinder, cylinder wall and head.

That's not always the case, though. If the failure happens at high RPM, the valve can come loose, causing significant damage to the engine. According to our source, one Lexus GS350 incurred $12,000 worth of damage (in parts alone) during such an incident. And there's no word on who footed the bill.

Toyota hasn't said exactly what's caused the issue, though our source indicates that a Field Technical Specialist within the automaker believe the bad springs either have a manufacturing issue or a deep scratch - weak points that allow the part to fail prematurely. As for why the issue effects the company's 3.5-liter V6 as well as its 4.6-liter and 5.0-liter V8s, we're assuming that all three engines use the same valve springs.

Click through to the jump for more details, including updated information, and a video.




Gallery: Lexus Valve Spring Failure


[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading UPDATED: What's really going on with Toyota's faulty valve springs [w/ video]

UPDATED: What's really going on with Toyota's faulty valve springs [w/ video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Broken Valve SpringsBrokenValveSpringsfeaturedlatest lexus recalllatest toyota recallLatestLexusRecallLatestToyotaRecallLexus GSLexus GS460Lexus RecallLexus Recallslexus safetyLexusGsLexusGs460LexusRecallLexusRecallsLexusSafetyToyota Recalltoyota recallstoyota safetytoyota springsToyotaRecallToyotaRecallsToyotaSafetyToyotaSpringsvalve springValve SpringsValveSpringValveSpringsFri, 02 Jul 2010 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19539886/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/02/whats-really-going-on-with-toyotas-faulty-valve-springs-w-vi/19539886/article-detail.xml 19539886 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03-lexus-spring-630-1278094804_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03-lexus-spring-630-1278094804.jpg <![CDATA[BREAKING: Toyota admits 270,000 cars have faulty engines worldwide]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/01/breaking-toyota-admits-270-000-cars-have-faulty-engines-worldwi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/01/breaking-toyota-admits-270-000-cars-have-faulty-engines-worldwi/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/01/breaking-toyota-admits-270-000-cars-have-faulty-engines-worldwi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2010 Lexus LS460 Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

In 20 years, odds are few people will remember that 2010 was one of the worst years for Toyota in terms of recalls, but for now, it seems like the company just can't win for losing. The company has announced that it is currently preparing to recall a total of 270,000 Toyota Crown and Lexus LS, GS and IS models worldwide. As it turns out, some of the company's 4.6-liter V8 and 3.5-liter V6 engines were built using faulty valve springs that may cause the car to stall while driving. Around 180,000 of the faulty powerplants were sold outside of Japan.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the company says that some Toyota Crown, Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 models will be affected by the recall, and that it will initiate a procedure to fix the problem as soon as it can figure out a way to do so with the least amount of inconvenience to its customers.

The news comes as Toyota continues to try to put this year's bevy of recall issues behind it, including paying a $16.4 million fine to the U.S. government for delaying certain recalls. Thanks for the tip, everyone!


Gallery: Review: 2010 Lexus LS460 Sport


Photos by Frank Filipponio / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

BREAKING: Toyota admits 270,000 cars have faulty engines worldwide originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0002703.5-liter V63.5-literV64.6-liter v84.6-literV8breakingbreaking newsBreakingNewsGSGS350gs450hGs460ISIs350lexus GSLexus GS350Lexus GS450hLexus GS460lexus ISLexus IS350Lexus LSlexus ls recalllexus ls460Lexus LS600hLexus LS600hLlexus recallLexusGsLexusGs350LexusGs450hLexusGs460LexusIsLexusIs350LexusLsLexusLs460LexusLs600hLexusLs600hlLexusLsRecallLexusRecallLSLS460LS600hLS600hlToyotatoyota crowntoyota recallToyotaCrownToyotaRecallThu, 01 Jul 2010 09:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19538276/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/01/breaking-toyota-admits-270-000-cars-have-faulty-engines-worldwi/19538276/article-detail.xml 19538276 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lexus-ls-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lexus-ls-630.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus brand isn't flying in Toyota's home market]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/22/lexus-brand-isnt-flying-in-toyotas-home-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/22/lexus-brand-isnt-flying-in-toyotas-home-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/22/lexus-brand-isnt-flying-in-toyotas-home-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In trying to establish a Japanese-market foothold for Lexus, Toyota has seemingly fallen prey to the same tactic that made the Cadillac Cimmaron such a maroon. When trying to launch a brand, especially an upscale brand, it's not advisable to rebadge existing models and crank up the price. It doesn't seem to matter how good the car is, or how swanky the new $10-million-a-pop showroom is, once an Altezza, always an Altezza, and paying 20 percent more for the same car with a different logo is rightfully galling.

Japanese luxury car buyers also have quite a taste for European iron, specifically German cars from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Enthusiasts in Toyota's own backyard echo the universal car-guy complaint that Lexus vehicles lack personality. There's no denying that Lexus cars are well-made and capable, and the IS-F may finally infuse the brand with enough attitude to woo buyers of storied marques. Currently, most Lexus buyers in Japan are stepping up from Toyota ownership. Less than 5 percent of sales are conquests, and actual sales have lagged behind projections. Lexus offerings have been expanded from the initial IS, GS, and SC models to include the LS, and the RX will be coming in 2009. While it may appear less than successful so far, Toyota can afford to be patient. American buyers have fully embraced Toyota and Lexus nameplates to the point where they're both smashing successes. In another two to three years, we're betting Lexus will have a cheery song to sing in Japan.

[Source: Businessweek]

Lexus brand isn't flying in Toyota's home market originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandhome markethome market salesHomeMarketHomeMarketSalesjapan domestic marketjapan salesJapanDomesticMarketJapanSaleslexuslexus brandlexus gslexus gs 450hlexus gs 460lexus gs450hlexus gs460lexus is-flexus japanlexus lslexus ls 600hlexus ls 600h llexus ls460lexus ls600hlexus ls600h hybridLexusBrandLexusGsLexusGs450hLexusGs460LexusIs-fLexusJapanLexusLsLexusLs460LexusLs600hLexusLs600hHybridLexusLs600hLsalestoyotatoyota lexusToyotaLexusSat, 22 Mar 2008 16:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1146400/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/22/lexus-brand-isnt-flying-in-toyotas-home-market/1146400/article-detail.xml 1146400 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/ls600_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/ls600_450.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus returns the favor to Audi in new ads]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/17/lexus-returns-the-favor-to-audi-in-new-ads/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/17/lexus-returns-the-favor-to-audi-in-new-ads/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/17/lexus-returns-the-favor-to-audi-in-new-ads/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Oh, what fun, a luxury sport sedan advertising smackdown. Lexus has returned a volley after Audi made a shot across their bow with a TV spot swiping at Lexus and implying that a self-parking car is for non-driving drivers. Like that kid in class who never knew quite how to shoot back a response, Lexus has produced a couple of spots that are almost, almost badass. The spots, titled "Etiquette" and "Doughnut" juxtapose imagery of the GS 460 partaking in power oversteer antics to a soundtrack of operatic aria. That's cool, the Lexus 4.6 liter V8 does have a muscular snarl, and the GS can at least keep up with the pack. What's uncool is the snooty tagline, admonishing "just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should." Yeah, nannying is such a come-on to purchase. The tagline for "Doughnut" is even worse - "Yes, you can. And no, you shouldn't." Doesn't that just makes the "screw you" center in your brain light up? To create spots with badass imagery and hooligan undertones, only to soft-pedal the tagline and shroud it all in some sort of veil of "that's beneath us" does not sound the klaxon for enthusiasts. The car itself looks to be fun, if they've managed to put some discipline into the suspension, a real manual transmission, and dial back the electronic joy-killers.

[Source: Brandweek]

Lexus returns the favor to Audi in new ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiburnoutcommercialdoughnutdriftgs460lexuslexus gs460LexusGs460self-parkspotWed, 17 Oct 2007 12:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1014547/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/10/17/lexus-returns-the-favor-to-audi-in-new-ads/1014547/article-detail.xml 1014547 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/gs460_motion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/gs460_motion.jpg -1 2