Lexus IS engines
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Lexus IS engines

Lexus IS is a mid-size premium Japanese car. Produced at the production facilities of the Toyota concern. All generations of cars are equipped with sports engine models that can provide excellent dynamics. The power units are highly reliable, have a well-thought-out design, but are demanding in compliance with the maintenance schedule.

Brief description Lexus IS

The first generation Lexus IS appeared in October 1998 in Japan. The car was sold under the name Toyota Altezza. The debut in Europe took place in 1999, and in America the public saw the Lexus in 2000. The car was exported exclusively under the Lexus IS brand, where the abbreviation stands for "Intelligent Sport".

The release of the first generation Lexus IS continued until 2005. The machine had an average result in the American market, but was a success in Europe and Japan. Under the hood of the car, you can find four- or six-cylinder engines. The engine is paired with a manual or automatic transmission.

Lexus IS engines

Lexus IS first generation

The second generation Lexus IS was presented in March 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show. The production version of the car debuted in April 2005 in New York. The car went on sale in September-October of the same year. The car turned out with a lower drag coefficient, which had a positive effect on the dynamics. Under the hood of the second generation, you can find not only gasoline engines, but also diesel engines.

Lexus IS engines

The second generation

The third generation Lexus IS appeared in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show. The concept model had been unveiled a year earlier. The third generation received an updated line of engines and an improved design. Lexus IS became the first car with a hybrid power plant.

Lexus IS engines

Lexus third generation

In 2016, the car was restyled. The result was a design change. The living room has become more comfortable. Lexus IS was able to combine high technology, sporty dynamics, reliability and safety.

Overview of engines on various generations of cars

Under the hood of the Lexus IS, you can find a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. Some cars have hybrid powertrains. The engines used have excellent technical characteristics and remain in demand to this day. A brief description of the applied ICE models is presented below.

1st generation (XE10)

IS200 1G-FE IS300 2JZ-GE

2st generation (XE20)

IS F 2UR-GSE IS200d 2AD-FTV IS220d 2AD-FHV IS250 4GR-FSE IS250C 4GR-FSE IS350 2GR-FSE IS350C 2GR-FSE

3st generation (XE30)

IS200t 8AR-FTS IS250 4GR-FSE IS300 8AR-FTS IS300h 2AR-FSE IS350 2GR-FSE

Popular motors

The most popular engine in the Lexus IS is the 4GR-FSE powertrain. The engine has a forged crankshaft. The use of the Dual-VVTi phase change system made it possible to obtain maximum output power in accordance with environmental regulations. You can find the engine in second and third generation cars.

Lexus IS engines

Disassembled 4GR-FSE engine

Also very popular on the Lexus IS is the 2GR-FSE engine. It was developed in 2005. Compared to the base engine, the 2GR-FSE has a higher compression ratio and more impressive performance. The engine is demanding on fuel quality.

Lexus IS engines

Engine compartment with 2GR-FSE

The popular 2JZ-GE engine is very common under the hood of the Lexus IS. The power unit has a relatively simple design, which affects its reliability. Car enthusiasts appreciate the Lexus IS with the 2JZ-GE for its customizability. The safety margin of the cylinder block is enough to achieve more than 1000 horsepower.

The 2AR-FSE engine is very popular in the third generation Lexus IS. The power unit has low maintainability, which is fully offset by high reliability. Its design has lightweight pistons. They allow the engine to be as dynamic as possible.

Lexus IS engines

Appearance of the 2AR-FSE engine

Among the first generation, you can most often find cars with a 1G-FE engine. The engine has a long history. Made with a large margin of safety. The strength of the engine kept it in good condition in a heavily aged Lexus IS.

Which engine is better to choose Lexus IS

When buying a used Lexus IS, it is recommended to choose a car with a 2JZ-GE engine. This motor has a high resource and rarely has serious problems. The 2JZ-GE power unit is highly respected among car owners. Many, changing their Lexus IS, take this particular engine.

If you want to have the most dynamic car, then it is recommended to opt for the Lexus IS with the 2UR-GSE engine. The engine is capable of delivering unsurpassed driving pleasure. When buying such a machine, complete diagnostics, including the power unit, will not interfere. Using the car at full capacity quickly depletes the resource, which is why Lexus IS with 2UR-GSE are often sold "completely killed."

If you want a diesel Lexus IS, you will have to choose between 2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV. Engines differ in volume, but have the same reliability. When buying a diesel version of a car, it is important to weigh the pros and cons. Poor fuel quality quickly destroys these engines in the Lexus IS.

The desire for a dynamic and economical car can satisfy the Lexus IS with 2AR-FSE. The hybrid has minimal environmental impact. The combined use of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine allows the car to accelerate, overtaking everyone at traffic lights. Caution is advised when buying a used car, as the 2AR-FSE engine is extremely difficult to repair.

Choice of oil

Officially, it is recommended to fill in IS engines with all-weather Lexus brand oil with a viscosity of 5W-30. Optimally lubricates friction surfaces and removes heat from them. The additive package gives the lubricant anti-corrosion properties and reduces the risk of foaming. Brand oil fully reveals the potential of engines without reducing their resource.

Lexus IS engines

Own lubrication

Lexus IS engines can be filled with third party oils. However, mixing them should be avoided. The lubricant must have an exclusively synthetic base. They showed themselves well on power units of oil grades:

  • ZIK;
  • Mobile;
  • Idemica;
  • Liquimolium;
  • Ravenol;
  • Motul.

When choosing an oil, it is recommended to take into account the operating ambient temperature of the Lexus IS. In hot regions, it is allowed to fill in the thickest fat. In cold weather, on the contrary, a less viscous oil performs better. Provides easier crankshaft rotation while maintaining a stable oil film.

Lexus IS engines

Recommended viscosity

The Lexus IS has been around for three generations and has been in production for a long time. Therefore, when choosing a lubricant, the age of the machine must also be taken into account. In cars of the first years, it is desirable to fill in a more viscous lubricant in order to avoid an increase in fat in the oil. Recommendations for choosing oil by year of manufacture of the Lexus IS can be found in the table below.

Lexus IS engines

Selection of oils depending on age Lexus IS

To ensure that the correct oil has been selected, it is recommended that the condition be checked after a short period of operation. To do this, unscrew the tube and drip onto a piece of paper. If the lubricant is in good condition, the choice is correct and you can continue driving. If the drop shows an unsatisfactory condition, then the oil should be drained. In the future, you will need to choose a different brand of lubricant to fill the car.

Lexus IS enginesDetermining the condition of the oil drop by drop on a sheet of paper

Reliability of engines and their weaknesses

Lexus IS engines are very reliable. There are no significant design or engineering errors. Engines have found their application in many cars, except for the Lexus brand. Their statement confirms the excellent reliability and the absence of significant shortcomings.

Lexus IS engines

Repair of engines 2JZ-GE

Most problems with Lexus IS engines are related to the VVTi variable valve timing system. This causes oil leaks, especially in pre-2010 vehicles. Early engine designs used a rubber tube that was prone to cracking. In 2010, the hose was replaced with an all-metal pipe. To eliminate oil burn, it is also recommended to replace the valve stem seals at a mileage of 100 thousand km.

Lexus IS engines

Valve stem seals

The weak points of the first and second generation motors appear due to the significant age of the motors. His general condition is greatly influenced by the manner of driving a car. The age-related problems of the 2JZ-GE and 1G-FE power units include:

  • increased oil waste;
  • instability of the crankshaft speed;
  • fogging of oil seals and gaskets;
  • the appearance of violations in the operation of the time node;
  • candles flooded due to misfiring;
  • increased vibrations.

Lexus IS engines

Gasket kit for removing sweat from the 4GR-FSE engine

In the third generation Lexus IS, overheating is the cause of weaknesses. Excessive loads and improper adjustment lead to the fact that the cooling system does not perform the function assigned to it. Spasms are formed in the cylinders. Piston sticking or burning is possible.

Lexus IS engines, especially the second and third generation, are very sensitive to quality of service. It is important to change candles, oil and other consumables on time. Otherwise, increased wear of the friction surfaces of the power unit appears. It is also not advisable to fill the car with low quality gasoline or with an unsuitable octane rating.

Maintainability of power units

The maintainability of Lexus IS engines has been declining with each generation. Therefore, engines 1G-FE and 2JZ-GE are easy to bring back to normal. Its overhaul is easy, and the durable cast-iron cylinder block rarely suffers major damage. The 2AR-FSE engine used in the third generation Lexus IS is something else. It is extremely difficult to find spare parts for it, and even a simple surface repair can turn into a real problem.

Lexus IS engines

2JZ-GE engine with cast iron cylinder block

Diesel engines 2AD-FTV and 2AD-FKhV cannot boast of high reliability in domestic operating conditions. Its maintainability is at an average level due to the high cost of spare parts and the difficulty of finding them. Diesel power plants rarely provide a mileage of more than 220-300 thousand km. Most car owners still prefer Lexus IS petrol models.

The use of aluminum cylinder blocks, for example, 2GR-FSE, 2AR-FSE and 4GR-FSE, made it possible to reduce the weight of engines, but had a negative impact on their resource and maintainability. So, cast-iron power units of the first generation, with proper care, can drive 500-700 thousand kilometers before overhaul, and the same amount after. Aluminum motors often lose proper geometry the first time they overheat. It is not uncommon to find 8AR-FTS, 4GR-FSE, 2AR-FSE engines with cracks and beyond repair even after 160-180 thousand kilometers.

Lexus IS engines

Overview of the 4GR-FSE engine

The design of the Lexus IS engines uses many unique technical solutions. Because of this, it is difficult to find some parts. A damaged cylinder block of a third generation car is not intended to be repaired at all. Therefore, in the event of a problem, car owners often choose to purchase a contract engine, rather than restoring their own power unit.

Non-repairable Lexus IS engines are often purchased by third-party car services. To restore the engine, parts from other machines are used. As a result, the reliability and safety of the power unit is reduced. Non-native parts do not withstand high mechanical and thermal loads. As a result, an avalanche-like destruction of the engine occurs during movement.

Tuning engines Lexus IS

The most suitable for tuning is the 2JZ-GE engine. It has a good margin of safety and has many ready-made solutions. Buying and installing a turbo kit is not a problem. With a deep modernization, some car owners manage to squeeze out 1200-1500 horsepower. Surface landing easily puts out 30-70 hp.

Most 2nd and 3rd generation Lexus IS engines are not tuned. This applies even to flashing the ECU. For example, the 2AR-FSE engine has a finely tuned control unit. Software modification often worsens the dynamics and other characteristics of the car.

Most Lexus IS owners turn to surface tuning at the end of the year. The installation of an air filter with zero resistance and an intake pipe is popular. However, even these minor changes can affect the life of the engine. Therefore, to increase the power of the Lexus IS engine, it is recommended to contact a tuning studio.

Lexus IS engines

Low resistance air filter

Lexus IS engines

Consumption

A relatively safe and often applicable way to tune Lexus IS engines is to install a lightweight crankshaft pulley. It allows the engine to gain momentum more dynamically. As a result, the car accelerates faster. The lightweight pulley is made of durable materials so it won't break under load.

Lexus IS engines

Lightweight crankshaft pulley

The use of lightweight forged pistons is also popular when tuning Lexus IS engines. Such modernization is especially relevant for second-generation car engines. With this, it is possible to increase the maximum speed and speed of your set. Forged pistons are more resistant to mechanical and thermal stress.

Swap engines

Most native Lexus IS engines are poorly maintainable and not suitable for tuning. Therefore, car owners often exchange them for others. The most popular for trade-in on the Lexus IS are:

  • 1JZ;
  • 2JZ-GTE;
  • 1JZ-GTE;
  • 3UZ-FE.

Lexus IS engines

Trade-in process for Lexus IS250

Using the 1JZ exchange has many advantages. The motor is cheap. Many spare parts and ready-made customization solutions are available. The motor has a large margin of safety, so it can withstand up to 1000 horsepower.

Lexus IS engines are rarely exchanged. In the economy segment, 2JZ-GE engines are the most popular. They are easily restored to a normal state and their resource, with proper overhaul, is practically inexhaustible. Power units are used for pumping both in Lexus vehicles and in vehicles of other makes and models.

2UR-GSE is popular for exchange. The engine has an impressive volume. With the right settings, the power unit is capable of delivering incredibly high power, over 1000 horsepower. The disadvantage of the engine is the high price and the risk of falling into an excessively worn engine.

Lexus IS engines

Preparing the 2UR-GSE engine for replacement

Purchase of a contract engine

The least hassle is with the purchase of a 2JZ-GE contract engine. A large engine resource allows the power unit to remain in good condition for decades. The engine is easily repaired and, if necessary, is subject to capitalization. The cost of the engine in its normal state is about 95 thousand rubles.

It is easy to find 4GR-FSE and 1G-FE contract engines. Power units, with careful attitude and observance of service terms, remain in decent condition. Engines are modest and reliable. The approximate price of power plants starts from 60 thousand rubles.

2UR-GSE engines are quite common on the market. They are appreciated by lovers of speed. However, changing this engine is quite difficult. Requires a complete tuning of the car and a complete revision of the brake system. The price of the 2UR-GSE power unit often reaches 250 thousand rubles.

Other engines, including diesels, are not very common. Poor maintainability and an insufficiently large resource make these motors not so popular. When buying them, it is important to take into account all the nuances, since many problems cannot be eliminated or difficult. The approximate cost of Lexus IS engines ranges from 55 to 150 thousand rubles.

Contract diesel engines 2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV are also not very common on the market. Gasoline engines are in high demand. The low maintainability of diesel engines and the complexity of diagnosing their condition make it difficult to find a contract ICE. The average price of such motors in the normal state is 100 thousand rubles.

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