Issues with '13 Lexus IS Diesel: Engine Light, Reduced Power, and Possible Swirl Flap Malfunctions

Hey! I had a similar situation with my '12 Lexus IS. The whole ordeal started off kinda like yours, power cutting out, idling rough, and a whole lot of ugly smoke. Ended up being an intake manifold leak. Turns out there was charring from excess heat, compromising the seal which led to inconsistent airflow. My mechanic had to replace the manifold and clean out the area to ensure no debris causes future issues. Really, it was a serious issue, because the engine was running lean due to the added air from the leak, causing all sorts of running problems. Plus, that excess heat around the manifold isn't exactly great for surrounding connectors and stuff. As for my mechanic, did a solid job and didn't leave me stranded. The dude was brilliant, explained everything that needed fixing and didn't rush through the job. So, hats off for that! Keep an eye out on that engine light and don't delay getting it checked by a reliable mechanic. These things can escalate real quick if left unchecked. Best of luck!

Wow your ordeal sounds like quite the nightmare and I'm glad you managed to sort it out! Makes me really cross my fingers hoping it's not an intake manifold leak for my IS. I'll make sure to keep an eye on that dang engine light and get the car to a reputable mechanic ASAP. It clearly led you to nip the budding problem before it got out of control. Less headache the better, right? By the way, you never mentioned how much you ended up shelling out for the whole fix, do you recall? And since the fix, has the ride been running smooth or has anything else surfaced? Appreciate your insight!

Hey there, you've got it spot on - less of a headache the better! Just as a heads up, the total bill for sorting out my Lexus was 1180€. Quite a chunk of change, but for the peace of mind of having my ride running like a dream again, it was worth every penny. And good news, since that gnarly swirl flap defect got tackled, the old girl has been purring like a kitten! No problems, no jerks, and definitely no black smoke anymore. My mechanic really did a number on it. So fingers crossed you'll get your IS sorted just as smoothly. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Damn, 1180€ surely is a pretty penny! But as they say, you gotta spend money to save money. I reckon if it returns your ride back to its mint condition, and minus the risk of any future disasters, it's money well spent. Can't put a price tag on peace of mind, can we? So glad to hear your Lexus has been behaving since the fix-up, gives me hope for my IS! Definitely need to get mine running smoothly again. Thanks heaps for sharing your experience. Definitely armed me with a bit more knowledge and steeling me up for the potential wallet hit. Hey, here's to hoping for a swift and smooth resolution. Cheers!