Purchased my IS from an old coworker in 2020. I had received a ticket for no insurance in my MX83 Cressida and knew it was time to move on. I’d paid for, uh…. three… hmm, “smogs” and failed to follow through with registration. My coworker heard the story and offered up his wife’s IS as they had purchased a new Ford Edge ST for her. Their dog died in the car on the way to the vet So, the stars aligned! I purchased the car for $2k in 2020 without really looking it over. 140k, RWD, Auto trans was rebuilt just over a year ago. Passing smog and besides the obvious glazed, crumbly interior, I was sold.

5 years later, first time I smell oil burning emanating from underhood. As a mechanic and former man of the house, I’d normally just wipe down the oil stains at next oil service and keep it moving. However, I’m recently divorced, so now having the extra time to stay late and address all of the intermittent conditions I’ve been experiencing over the years. Like the now leaking driver side valve cover which kicked this whole thing off. Random single cylinder misfire at red lights when cold. Driver seat forward/back motor jammed. Repeated front brake pulsation. Lack of crankcase vacuum. Engine ping at WOT. Sluggish performance at WOT, as if ECU is pulling timing. Bank 2 LTFT lean (no codes). The infamous 4GR-FSE oil consumption and subsequent carbon buildup. And lastly the egregious “sticky” dash situation!


VC gaskets, tube seals, OCV seals, intake gaskets, carbon cleaning, spark plugs, coil boots, oil supply seals, oil catch can.

Follow and record the data.

Data, Data, Data.

Passenger side tube seals leaking crankcase pressure.

Spark plugs worn contributing to turbulent air flow and combustion.

Inspect condition of parts.

Before.

After.

Upper Timing chain tensioners bleed off too quickly.

VC gasket leak

After cleaning the valves performed BG platinum induction service with “rev-it” kit to address the carbon build up on the pistons.
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-I’ve grown fond of the IS250 after treating a lot of the issues and find myself being an enthusiast again.

Cheers!