LS400 messing about day

[Tinonline]

I intended to change the spark plugs but rattling around in my tool bag, box 1 box2 I realised that my small toque wrench required a connector from 1/4 to 3/8. Ok I've ordered one. I wanted to do the torque thing.

Whilst rummaging I noticed the throttle cable was as loose as an unpegged G string. The front nut loosened off ok but the rear is not easy to get at as there are top lugs on the rubber mount. I wiggled up and out the rubber mount and pulled away the cable from the mount. With a grip and spanner the back nut gave. I then reassembled taking up the slack. The mount wiggled back in easily. Job done.

Next was the realisation that the air filter needed changing. I inspected this last summer when I changed the cam belt et al and it seemed to be ok. I don't do much mileage but the filter needed a change. Oops looking at the records it's a few years old.

in the old days it was a butterfly nut to take off a filter cover...so easy that you would do the job a few times to ensure you had done it correctly. But boy Lexus, Alfa, Merc, Jag give the appearance of ease but have nuts, collars, hidden out of the way clips...I shook out as much dust as possible and reassembled. New one will arrive in a few days.

More work to do...

[The-Acre]

I was talking to someone about this very thing a couple of days ago, regarding Lexus anyway.  Nothing, and I mean nothing ever comes apart easily, even the simplest component seems to require the knowledge of a scientific mind to remove it!

[harrylime]

I'd like to check my air filter before booking it in for a service. Any chance of a description of how to remove it?

[Tinonline]

1) small trim at front of Battery unclips by gentle pull up and away

2) long front trim: unscrew 10mm bolt right hand side nearest Battery and pull right and out from filter holder

3) this exposes the filter holder and the inlet hole to the housing...take a torch and have a good look...into hole and how grey the inner coils of the filter are...

4) to remove you will need 10mm socket for the 3 retaining bolts, assortment of medium swear words and Phillips to undo the clip on air intake hose

5) unclips the electrical connector into pipe, some mild swear words may be required and stronger ones to release the electrical lead clip from the filter housing

6) twist and pull out the ***** assembly compressing the air hose to pull free without snapping or tearing yourself or hose

7) unclip the stupid collar clip to remove the cover and filter, to replace the filter slide it into the retaining collar and reassemble

8) bugger about refitting

have a look at your throttle cable...lot of slack? That's your next job...

 

 

 

 

 

[harrylime]

That's brilliant. Thank you very much for that. I am equipped both with the tools described and the necessary swear words. I am, though, now nervous about risking any breakages before taking the car on holiday in a couple of weeks. I've had the car for over two years, so may just buy the part and include it in the service. I have been recommended a specialist called Lex Tek near Sheffield, so may have a full service carries out including the air filter. Are the oil filter and air filter best bought from lexus or can I get them elsewhere?

[Malc]

........... if you're having the car serviced by Lex Tek then maybe they could provide all necessary filters as appropriate !

Malc

[Tinonline]

I should have thought this would be part of the service. I use BluePrint parts if I'm going non Lexus but I do use genuine oil filter...I've got Denso plugs to fit and will be opting for Lexus tranny oil.

[mikeyv]

Just had my two year old Peugeot Boxer serviced at main dealer, they charged around £40 for a cabin filter, but as I was suspicious about some of the other items supposedly done, and charged for, I dismantled the dash (LS is much easier to change, thankfully), and took out a Denso filter, which was decidedly grubby, and dated 2012.

As you can imagine, I wasn't happy, and have since got compensation from the dealer, but the point of the story is, Denso is a good make, and is often fitted by the manufacturers as original equipment.

By the way, Eurocarparts will deliver that Denso filter to my door for nine quid, so not a bad mark up for the Pug dealer, even in the unlikely event of them paying retail.

Bandits, the lot of them!

[Tinonline]

Good for yougreat job.

many years ago I worked for a company that had advanced tracking on a vehicle...garage said vehicle wouldn't be ready for some time...they were using it to collect parts...times, routes, mileage all on  a colour report...

[mikeyv]

4 minutes ago, Tinonline said:

Good for yougreat job.

many years ago I worked for a company that had advanced tracking on a vehicle...garage said vehicle wouldn't be ready for some time...they were using it to collect parts...times, routes, mileage all on  a colour report...

Bet they tried to say they were road testing?

[Tinonline]

oh yes...soon stopped...