2000 Ls400 - Service Time

Calster17 · December 12, 2015

It's been 15,000 miles since the car was last serviced by a garage, at least according to service history, so it's long due to be done again. Never realized it had gone this far or I had covered 12,000 in 11 months!

I understand that access to the oil & fuel filters is easy enough, but can anyone recommend what brand filters to get? Also the same again with what oil's to use for the engine/diff.

The serpentine belt also look's as if it's not been changed in a long time(or ever), I understand this is a somewhat easy job so will be getting done as well.

Finally, I've also no idea what or if the timing belt has ever been done (At 105k miles just now). Did have a service at Lexus Glasgow at around 60k miles but it is just the stamp in the book. So would it be worth getting it done just to play it safe?

I would be tempted to take it to a Lexus dealer to get it all done for peace of mind, but the nearest dealers are Edinburgh or Glasgow (270 mile all round trip to Edinburgh) and unless I took time off work I'd have to drop it off one weekend & pick up the next and of course would need a car for the week. (doubt they'd lend me one for that length of time?). Also if they would work on an older model?

Thanks in advance! :)

PCM · December 13, 2015

At that age I would look for a good local Toyota/Lexus independent specialist...

They can get to know the car, and you.

steve2006 · December 13, 2015

I always use OEM filters and a quality branded 5W-30 fully sythetic engine oil.

If you have no cambelt history get it done ASAP, if the belt breaks or one of the pulleys fail the engine will be wrecked, also recommended to replace the water pump at the same time.

IIRC the cambelt change is 100,000 miles/10 years for this engine so it is now overdue if no previous renewal records.

My local garage will do the job for £200.00 + VAT labour if I buy the parts so expect to pay around £500.00 in total.

Colin M · December 13, 2015

I always use OEM filters as well and 5W-30 oil but semi-synthetic rather than synthetic. I use Millers Trident oil as it meets the A3/B3 specification in the LS400 Owners Handbook.

There are two reasons why I use semi-synthetic. One is that both cars had semi-synthetic oil in when I bought them, the cars seemed to run fine with that oil in them and I have just carried on using the same type. The other is that I change the oil annually but do a relatively low mileage (about 3000-4000 in each car), so it is cheaper to use semi-synthetic.

In fact, I have never had a car in which I have used synthetic oil, in the main because I have always had older cars! But I am sure synthetic is fine as I know a lot of people on here use it.

mikeyv · December 13, 2015

Another vote for genuine oil filters here, for what they cost why risk anything else?

Also for good quality fully synthetic oil, though I get the feeling our engines are so bulletproof they'd run on just about anything!!

mikeyv · December 13, 2015

Forgot to say, auxillary belt is probably the easiest I've ever done.

Mine looked fine on the car, but for what they cost I changed it for a Gates belt anyway.

On inspecting the old belt, I'm glad I did, as it had quite a lot of fine cracks when turned inside out.

Calster17 · December 18, 2015

Thanks guys!

Can't think of any local Toyota/Lexus specialist's but going to ask around, but quite a few garages around that I friends & family trust. I did think of the old Aberdeen Lexus dealer, as it's now just Toyota, but is run by Arnold Clark so avoiding it like the plague!

Anywhere I can get the manufacture filters online? or would I have to call up Lexus and have them send up a set?

Again, thanks in Advance.

mikeyv · December 18, 2015

Thanks guys!

Can't think of any local Toyota/Lexus specialist's but going to ask around, but quite a few garages around that I friends & family trust. I did think of the old Aberdeen Lexus dealer, as it's now just Toyota, but is run by Arnold Clark so avoiding it like the plague!

Anywhere I can get the manufacture filters online? or would I have to call up Lexus and have them send up a set?

Again, thanks in Advance.

Yep, there are a few Lexus and Toyota dealers on eBay.

Think my oil filter was from Birmingham Lexus.

Here is a link to a current listing of theirs, spark plugs in this case.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171337549090?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Calster17 · December 19, 2015

Thanks. Never thought to look for the dealers and such! Used to just hoping on eurocar parts or asking the local dealers/suppliers for parts. (Well, other than for the Cappuccino)

Did see Lexus UK have a link to there eBay on the webpage but only had a few bit's on offer for the 400.

Will be buying the service parts later today, not just for myself but also my friend who bought his '94 LS400 last month! :)