Seeking Diagnosis for Persistent Issues in 2005 Diesel Lexus IS

Hey there! I own a 2006 Lexus IS diesel, so not a huge leap from yours. I had a similar issue a while back where my old gal just wasn't firing up right in the mornings and my pre-glow light stuck on too. Despite going through a series of tests, diagnostics, and even head scratching from the mechanics, the trouble boiled down to worn out glow plugs at the end. They didn't spot the issue straight away due to misbehaving sensors which gave them misleading readings during the diagnostics. It took them a while to trace the electrical routing from the ECU to the glow plugs which was indeed a serious issue. And oh boy, that black smoke you mentioned? Same tale here. Excessive black smoke is often linked to an issue with the fuel or air supply to the engine. Common culprits can be a dirty air filter, broken injector, or in this case, the glow plugs failing to heat up and burn the fuel properly. About your DPF not regenerating, it certainly could be related to the glow plugs but it might be a separate issue as well. Normally, the car should do a passive regen while you're driving. If it can't meet the required engine conditions, like in your case, it may require a manual or forced regen which can only be done at a professional garage. Speaking of garages, don’t rule them all out. Yeah, we’ve all had our share of dodgy experiences, but there are a lot of trustworthy, skilled tradesmen out there too. My advice? Use recommendations, reviews and ensure they have experience working with your make and model. No two cars are exactly the same and they deserve the right set of hands. Hope this helps!

Hey guys! I've got a '98 IS and had a couple of these problems myself - can't escape those temperamental glow plugs, can you? Once I'd got them replaced, the pre-glow light finally gave it a rest, and oh, the sweet relief of smooth cold starts again! But, you've got me curious now. Do you remember how big of a dent that glow plug issue put in your wallet? And since you got that sorted, has anything else popped up or has the old girl been behaving herself? Just gotta say, I was stressing about the DPF thing, but you've cleared that up - seems like a trip to the garage is inevitable. And yeah, totally agree with using reviews and recommendations - last thing you need is to be taken for a ride. Literally.

Hey! Your curiosity totally makes sense! So about the glow plug issue, it did lighten my wallet by around €560. A bit steep, right? But that's what happens sometimes with these loyal old beasts. Wear and tear is inevitable! Since they've fixed the glow plug issue, she's been purring like a kitten. The daily cold start misery? Gone. The pesky pre-glow light? Not a sign of it. Of course, no car's perfect, but she's been behaving remarkably well post those repairs. On the DPF troubles - yeah, you can't really escape that garage trip. But trust me, it'll be worth your peace of mind. Keep hunting for a good mechanic, with loads of positive reviews and recommendations. Finding the right one can make a world of difference. Hope your car woes get sorted soon!

Hey, thanks for the advice and digital pep talk! It's really heartening to know that it's not just me dealing with these experiences. To be honest, shelling out €560 does sound like a hefty sum upfront, but at this point, if it resolves the issues permanently, I think it's worth the investment. I suppose you're right about wear and tear being inevitable, especially with an older car like mine. Your Lexus purring like a kitten after the repair gives me hope that mine would follow suit post-repair. About the DPF, I'll get it checked at a garage. I think it makes sense to get professional help for manual regeneration that it may require. In the end, if it keeps the car healthy, it's worth its while. Will find a good mechanic based on the reviews and recommendations as you've suggested. Hope they're able to fix the glow plug issue and my Lexus starts behaving well too! Cheers for the help again!