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Lexus 4.0L (242 cu in) firing order — diagram & guide

Decoding the engine patterns with the Lexus 4.0L firing order for longevity.

A man is working on a lexus engine.
A man in a blue jacket smiling in front of a red wall.
Filip Gromovic October 30, 2023 |

Modern-day V8 engines made by Lexus are known for their sturdy and durable design, and it all started with the 4.0-liter V8 back in the early 2000s. It was used to power several full-size sedans by the brand, and with an estimated mileage of over 200,000 miles, it turned out to be a great option.

However, these days vehicles with this engine under the hood are reaching quite an age which means you may need the Lexus 4.0L (242 cu in) firing order to maintain it properly. If you need to check the spark plugs, and coils, or diagnose a misfiring cylinder, keep reading this guide.

Lexus 4.0L firing order

The first thing to note is that the Lexus 4.0L firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 and it’s the same firing order that’s still in use for successor V8 engines to this one. On top of that, the cylinder layout is also the same which makes your job easier in terms you can’t make a mistake by using a firing order of another V8.

However, there are some specifics we need to talk about if you were to properly apply the firing sequence. The most important one is the cylinder configuration of the engine so we’ll discuss that one next to help you apply the firing order the right way.

Lexus 4.0L cylinder diagram

A white car with a number of numbers on it.

The cylinder layout of this engine is rather simple – it features a simple V8 engine configuration with two cylinder banks, both of which have four cylinders. The first cylinder is located at the front of the engine within the right-side bank which is on the driver’s side if you are looking at it from inside the cockpit.

The left-side bank or the passenger’s side bank houses cylinders 2, 4, 6, and 8, while the driver’s side bank also stores cylinders 3, 5, and 7 along with the first one.

You can start there with the first cylinder and make your way through the firing order by checking each cylinder in its firing sequence.

Lexus 4.0L vehicle applications

Several vehicle models have been using this engine over the years and the best way we can make sure that you’ll apply the right firing sequence is to go through these models. So, here’s a complete list of all the Lexus and some Toyota vehicles that have been using this engine:

  • Lexus GS400
  • Lexus LS400
  • Lexus SC400

Plus, some Toyota models are powered by this engine, and these mostly include the Toyota Crown, Aristo, Celsior, and the Soarer.

Our take

Now that we’ve covered everything about the Lexus 4.0-liter engine and its firing order, the only thing left to say is for you to properly apply it. We hope we’ve helped with that as well by giving you an overview of the cylinder arrangement, so now you can maintain your V8 properly.

Previous post: Lexus 3.5L firing order
Next post: Lexus 4.3L firing order
  • Filip Gromovic
    Filip Gromovic

    Filip is a lifelong car enthusiast with over 3 years of experience writing about cars and had worked as a mechanic apprentice for over 5 years, gaining hands-on expertise in automotive mechanics. At REREV, he combines his passion for cars with his comprehensive knowledge to provide readers with a unique blend of technical insight and engaging storytelling that sets the bar high for automotive content.

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