Seeking Solutions for Lexus GX Engine Problems: Black Exhaust Smoke, Difficulty Starting, and Power Loss

Hey there, appreciate your insight! I'm not smelling anything unusual and I can't say there's any strange sound. It's a weirdly silent crisis, just the visible symptoms and how bad the engine feels. My car's mileage is 77263 KM. I actually had my car last serviced quite a few months ago. Seems like the fuel pressure regulator could be a possible culprit. I'll have it checked out at the workshop. Thanks for your help!

Hey again! Silent crisis indeed, I know that feeling all too well. With that mileage and the timing of your last service, a fuel pressure regulator issue might definitely be plausible. It controls the flow of fuel to your engine, making sure the right mixture of air and fuel is being produced. If it's faulty, it can cause a lot of the symptoms you're experiencing. But always remember, car troubles can be deceiving and it's always best to get a pro's opinion. When you take it into the shop, you might also want to ask them to check the fuel injectors and oxygen sensors. Both of those could also potentially cause your mixture to be off - which might be where your guess about the mixture preparation comes in! I really hope you get this sorted out soon. Nothing worse than driving a sick car, not to mention the possible impact on fuel efficiency. Keep us updated, we might learn a thing or two from your experience. Good luck!

Hey! I really appreciate the insight! That makes a lot of sense. The fuel pressure regulator does sound like it could be to blame, but I agree that it's best to leave the final diagnosis to the pros. I'll definitely ask the workshop to take a look at the fuel injectors and oxygen sensors too. It's high time I resolved this issue - I can't stand the thought of my car suffering anymore, nor the hit to my wallet with the fuel! I promise to update you guys once I've done the needful. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. Thanks once more for the support!

Hello, can running on bioethanol be harmful to my engine? I own an RX 450h and I use a mixture of more or less 80% E85 and 20% 98.

(Translated from French)

Running your RX 450h on a bioethanol blend could potentially cause harm to your engine and fuel system if it's not designed to handle such a high concentration of ethanol. Ethanol is more corrosive than gasoline and can degrade certain types of rubber and plastic over time. It's important to check your vehicle's owner manual or consult with a Lexus dealer to confirm if your vehicle is compatible with E85. If it's not, I'd recommend switching back to a fuel with a lower ethanol content to avoid potential damage. Please let us know if you have any further questions or updates.