V8 sir... Suits you sir!

Redefined · January 29, 2023

Quick update before I miss owt. Yesterday after getting back into the car I got a tail-light dead sign in the dash. Then noted the brake pedal was going all the way down.

Was at my mums and the mechanics weren't easy to source - thankfully, as I try not to use the grade 3 types anyway (not satisfactory after the works completed and nor whilst it's being done 😉). So I calls my mate Ali and tell him the problem. 2 parauthas, some lamb curry and omelette later (he asked if I'd have breakfast, I politely responded appropriately) with a cuppa tea and lots of sweet stuff later, we was nicely tucked behind his garage jacking up the rear end.

Cut a long story short, we bled the OSR as there had been some brake fluid on the wheel. But couldn't find any actual leaks anywhere and the brake pedal was still soft(ish). So brought it home in prep for today.

Some digging on the net and I found this post - well, I can't find it now but basically it had a long list of problems reported over the years for a soft pedal and the one that best matched me was dirty fluid - so thought I'd go through all the calipers. Service em as well as do a full flush. Yesterdays bleed at the OSR hadn't brought any air but did purge some dirty fluid.

The order of the bleed today was gonna be, NSR, OSR, NSF, OSF. But after jacking up all 4 endsand loosening up the wheels, I was stuck with a seized bolt at the NSR. I wanted to remove the caliper and reset the pads and take a look at the condition of the seals. An hour (or maybe just a half) of messing about with the bottom 19mm bolt - the top bolts on both sides were just fine so I assume the bottom seizure is caused by water ingress grom gravity - and I had the caliper off.

Pads reset nicely after opening up the bleed port. Then both rear wheels/brakes fully bled with my 8 year old (got him a burger after and found an excuse to pass him a fiver too without pretending it was for the work) taking driver seat 'pressing' duties. Took it for a spin and everything is running nice and solid once again.

All the dot 3/4 fluid was looking clean too from the start. So must have just been that one bit of dirty fluid causing the soft pedal... Happy days (or as we say... Alhamdulillah - don't tell Netanyahu).

Redefined · January 29, 2023

Another thing I forgot to update and don't wish to miss in my timeline of this beautiful car. Regards the timing belt worries and no service history. Miraculously I managed to find a wad of paperwork (not sure how I missed it) with documentation of the last 10 years of service history. Mainly at the same place down near the Cotswolds.

Filled me with a warm feeling all over and explains why the fluids look clean each time I've serviced the one's I've managed so far. Though the aux belt which I looked at today whilst under the front end looked a bit tired so will still get both belts done very very soon 🙂 God Willing...

Malc1 · January 30, 2023

You've got one of the very best cared for Ls430's on this planet

Well done

Malc

Redefined · January 30, 2023

Thanks very much Malc. Gave my mate who is an ex valet worker a message too. Got some ceramic turtle wax suggested so got that from Halfords and started waxing the paintwork a little. Though it's already a little shoddy, at least it'll get me more miles between washes before looking really dirty...

jonthetourist · January 30, 2023

15 hours ago, Redefined said:

Another thing I forgot to update and don't wish to miss in my timeline of this beautiful car. Regards the timing belt worries and no service history. Miraculously I managed to find a wad of paperwork (not sure how I missed it) with documentation of the last 10 years of service history. Mainly at the same place down near the Cotswolds.

Filled me with a warm feeling all over and explains why the fluids look clean each time I've serviced the one's I've managed so far. Though the aux belt which I looked at today whilst under the front end looked a bit tired so will still get both belts done very very soon 🙂 God Willing...

Any more details on the "place near the Cotswolds"? A few of us on here from Gloucestershire.

Redefined · January 30, 2023

Here you go @jonthetourist Lidney to be more precise, Parawell Garage. So a bit the other way from the Cotswolds but near enough (if you zoom out in google maps 😄). Judging from the way she wrote this note to someone called Paul, and the reviews of Parawell mentioning Paul and his brother who've been there for 15 years or more. I'm gonna assume it's one and the same Paul.

Seems like one of them honest-Jon garages with no nonsense business and customer care. For ref I don't have any lights on in the dash but the keys are getting a bit tired - so need touching on the door/handle for the central locking/immobiliser to disengage. But I don't need to use the actual key to get in.

Redefined · February 2, 2023

Now then, I've done 5500 miles on it since November so I guess I'd better get some more oil in it (renewed I mean). But more importantly and heart warmingly, Lexus (Sheffield or Leeds) explained that I could find all/any service work done by them on the Lexus account. Logged in and this is what I got 🙂

I imagine there has been work from Lexus since it was new but probably not on the system as it was probably all paper!

Other than that (I think) I've figured out that my 2 key fobs that only work on radar to unlock. Well, they work better if I keep the key in my pocket and firmly grip the handle (unlocks at this point). So I'll just stick with renewing the batteries regularly, not keep the key with any other stuff like phone or anything else with a chip etc.

Malc1 · February 2, 2023

so the Minor job of replacing the Timing Belt was done 11 years ago ......... wot a joke . an 8 hour job at Lexus is " Minor " and what about the pulleys and Water Pump too while they were in there ?

Do you think it was actually done then ?

So, 11 years on maybe the time has arrived for it to be re-done and as Lexus Bristol think it's " Minor " maybe they can do it all again for a couple of hundred ££££ squid ........

Maybe ?

Malc

Redefined · February 2, 2023

Malc, I noticed that too in the description of minor. Yes, I'm indeed still on target hopefully to get that done at some point this year with Lex-Tec Sheffield. At least something has been done on it I guess and I can't imagine how much this minor job would cost now with Lexus... Nor do I intend to find out.

Micholas · February 4, 2023

On 2/2/2023 at 10:07 AM, Redefined said:

Malc, I noticed that too in the description of minor. Yes, I'm indeed still on target hopefully to get that done at some point this year with Lex-Tec Sheffield. At least something has been done on it I guess and I can't imagine how much this minor job would cost now with Lexus... Nor do I intend to find out.

£400 for just the cam belt. £900 for cam belt and waterpump. They don’t do any pulleys or tensioners unless worn/damaged.

Ask my wallet how I know that.

Redefined · March 20, 2023

After much deliberation (on when it would be warm enough to do it) and dragging my feet, I finally got (made) the time to quickly do another oil/filter change. 8000 miles since November meant it was all generally relaxed motorway miles but still, I was going into the red.

Jacked the beauty up and drained as much oil out but dropping it to different angles. Measured what had come out and got a figure of about 4.4L which was heartening as it's 4.6 that goes back in. Am certain there must've been a good portion of that 200ml deficit stuck to the drain pans and inside the filter.

Then drove it lovingly to work. Felt smoother but that's probably the placebo. Oil that came out was fairly black so it certainly was overdue. Looks like I'll have to get myself used to 4 monthly oil changes and start using half-boxes in the history book for recording.

Ordered 8 spark plugs and sure I'll also grab some ATF fluid later this work to get that flushed too....

Highlight of the job being when I couldn't find my 1L measuring jug. Took the one from the kitchen cupboard and measured up 4.6L precisely. Just after all that when finding where to store it til next time, I found it. Right there in my toolbox... Best not tell the missus as it's probably something to do with baking is the one I 'stole' (mistakenly).

Redefined · April 19, 2023

In as little words as poss. Did the spark plugs and whilst in there, I did a quick google to find the throttle body isn't a complex relearn procedure. Just need to update the service book.

References used were everyones favourite Lexus dealer/mech Car Care Nut and this here ozzy type chap:

Firstly the spark plugs as the throttle body is straight forward. Just be sure to use a lint free cloth or at least something that doesn't shed fibres. Try to get a dedicated throttle body cleaner as, even though you can use a carburettor cleaner it's slightly more abrasive and not as good for the sheen on the throttle body inners apparently. Less is more.

Tools used, in order of importance:

1. Flex head ratchet - I got a Milwaukee from Toolden and I can't stress quality tools really speak for themselves. This has a locking mechanism but even without locking the head it wasn't a flimsy head.

2. socket set of which I mainly used the 10mm from the Teng ratchet set.

3. Extension pieces for the ratchet. I had 2 shorts and one long. This is probably the golden egg when it comes to changing plugs, especially with these deep engines with slightly poor access. Much easier to access than my 3.0 Subaru though, but the key to a successful change is to ensure you work the extensions up, adding one at a time without losing anything inside the cylinder head!

4. Various screwdrivers for removing jubilees and other plastic fasteners. I mainly use the philips head.

5. Plug socket of which I had 2. One of which I used the inside rubber gripper to make my yellow hosepipe plug grabber. Using without this and sometimes working the socket extensions up with the spark plug socket tat the end - you run risk of losing the plug socket inside the cylinder head. As you can see I upgraded my hospipe for the V8 as the bore holes are just so deep!

Apologies if I'm using too much MB of data. Let me know and if there's enough need/interest I'll try and (tediously) downsize the pics (sorry).

After undoing the Battery negative wire and taking various bits off the sides for access (see the NZ vid) I noted how hard it was to take off the air box. He made it look easy whereas maybe mine hadn't been removed for 20 years! Instead of continuing with the 'quick but actually long' method of shortcutting, I eventually took the airbox cover off (if you don't know what that is then maybe you ought to leave plugs to the garage as it can go from ok to bad to worse very quickly) but didn't need to remove the filter/bottom half. Just be sure to cover the filter or shake it clean after working.

This intake pipe (I think it's what it's called) was a pain to get off at the throttle body. It has an extra rubber gasket over the pipe bore and it fits together like a bit of a simple jigsaw. I slowly pried it off but be careful. For next time I'll probably have a spare rubber gasket as this might not last.

Remember to undo the two rubber pipes and 2 electric connections. Be careful to not rip the pipes or crack the plastice sleeves on the connectors. Then once access is sorted it was just a matter of working my way down the plugs. Thankfully the leads weren't at risk of getting mixed up, but I still just tried to do one at a time.

Very, very careful here whilst undoing the electric connectors going to the coil packs (over the plugs). I used the 'squeeze (the tab) and pry carefully with a screwdriver' method. When reattaching here after completing the job, you should hear a firm click.

I did the drivers side first then the near-side. One at a time and assessing the plugs as I went.

I didn't need the bendy adaptor and did try to get away without using the flex head ratchet. But had to resort to using it on two of the tight junctions (actuall 3).

Next I cleaned the throttle body and put it all back together. It's now purring like a little beast that she is. To finish the job, I removed the struts from the bonnet and will try and send for regassing at SGS. Hopefully won't need to support the bonnet in future with wooden batons!

Oh, I never realised during the middle of the job that a coil pack or two were cracked. This was one fo the final ones I did, so wrapped it in electrical tape. Hope someone can benefit from this in future!!

Malc1 · April 20, 2023

Well done Shafiq . long job for sure ...... many days effort ?

Malc

Redefined · April 20, 2023

Hi Malc and thanks. Nope, technically just a tiny job and I'd imagine in the workshop it would probably only be allowed about 2 to 3 hours max for the plugs. On the Subaru opposed 6 cylinder (H6) engine it was definitely a more tedious job though the holes to get to the plugs weren't as deep, so less chamce of losing a plug socket or extension piece down there.

Because the 2 plugs closest to the windscreen were so tight to get to, alot of mechanics would just leave doing them (witnessed this when pulling them out on more than 1 H6 in my ownership). So, 2 to 3 hours for the plugs and 10 minutes for cleaning the throttle body and 5 mins for taking off the struts.

Probably saved myself about £140 in labour maybe - or maybe more from someone who's known to be an articulate Lex specialist. Just be sure to get the correct plugs (ILf6rt11 if I recall correctly and the same ones were what came out) and protect ourselves from any cheaper copied knock-offs. Oh... and it took me about 4 - 5 hours but I have organisational difficulties with my (diagnosed) dyslexia and therefore always take things a bit more steady.

Thankfully only lost one half of a plastic screw!

Redefined · April 20, 2023

Oh... and just to add, the New Zealand guy in his vid suggested to stay away from copper paste due to the risk of cracking at the aluminium block. There was another paste he mentioned but I just did the job without any anti sieze. Torque recommendations in the manual are 18nm which isn't too tight at all (once contact made of plug face to engine hole facing, about an extra quarter of a turn. Using anti seize compound would just make you got an extra half a turn or so.

Malc1 · April 20, 2023

25 minutes ago, Redefined said:

therefore always take things a bit more steady.

and tea ...... or is it coffee to calm the nerves !

Malc

Redefined · May 13, 2023

Now then... Little niggle of the auto gear box not doing the hill hold very well and sometimes slips after multiple seconds. Hopefully that'll get sorted after doing a few flushes of the ATF fluid, getting any metal scrapings that might have gathered out.

Also the rear aluminium deflector between the exhaust and body is a bit loose on one side (the part under the nut corroded away). So will try and pop a washer under there and stop the vibrations at some point.

But what's excited me the most is seeing that CCN on his YT channel has bought a similar car with low mileage and is doing a full overhaul. Should learn a thing or two 😊

Redefined · May 13, 2023

Oh... The lovely people at SGS engineering to whom I sent the bonnet struts a couple of weeks ago have regassed em. Cost to me for both plus delivery back to me is a handsome £30.92. Just paid up today so they'll go back on soon enough.

Also bagged myself a Saris Bones bike rack (hard to get roof racks and the towball specialist told me they don't really make towbars for this mini limo. Makes sense, but I suppose some day I can get a Sea Sucker to sit with the bikes o the roof. If anyone seems my Saris Bones rack with a bike or two on, I'm sorry!!

Malc1 · May 14, 2023

11 hours ago, Redefined said:

lovely people at SGS engineering

renowned for their excellence 😇

Malc

Malc1 · May 14, 2023

11 hours ago, Redefined said:

But what's excited me the most is seeing

OMG it's got those terrible chrome wheels . and it's simply on a new model, the Mk4 ... ugh ! 🤣

Malc

Redefined · May 14, 2023

I wondered about them chrome wheels too Malc. Each to their own I suppose but glad they didn't come on mine. Maybe they'd grow on the person!

Redefined · July 6, 2023

Local chavs been at it with a brick. I found out later they'd maybe been back to move the brick into a nice spot between some bins! Not sure if they planned to come back later.

I counted about 5 whacks with said brick (opposite door nieghbour told me her dog alerted her. She came out to let dog out and startled the lad/lads. I was in a happy deep sleep so didn't hear the alarm (if it did indeed go off, which is a very loud scary siren).

Oh well...

Redefined · July 6, 2023

Was very disturbed to see it @Malc1 and the funny thing is that I went out the house for morning prayers at 0416... Neighbour (opposite who's dog deterred them) told me about the brick being there in the morning (at about 0600) but it wasn't at 0840 when I tookmy little one to school.

Funny thing is that I didn't swear at the culprits once (feel nice for that) but also that the alarm wasn't triggered by the impacts. Inside the glass has some shattering and needed a vacuum. Thankfully Paul Frost has a spare for £80 and the window that's been battered had some condensation!! So needed doing anyway.

Still, very sad...

Malc1 · July 7, 2023

11 hours ago, Redefined said:

Was very disturbed to see it @Malc1 and the funny thing is that I went out the house for morning prayers at 0416... Neighbour (opposite who's dog deterred them) told me about the brick being there in the morning (at about 0600) but it wasn't at 0840 when I tookmy little one to school.

Funny thing is that I didn't swear at the culprits once (feel nice for that) but also that the alarm wasn't triggered by the impacts. Inside the glass has some shattering and needed a vacuum. Thankfully Paul Frost has a spare for £80 and the window that's been battered had some condensation!! So needed doing anyway.

Still, very sad...

I’m appalled at Society random “badness” and the way it all seems so acceptable where the financial cost is relatively small …… doubtless the Police can’t or won’t assist to apprehend the louts and put them in the stocks for a public flogging ??

Lucky you can remedy the damage ok. Well done 👍

Malc

BigBoomer · July 7, 2023

That sucks Shafiq :sad: I'd be ranting and raving if someone did that to my car. :taz:
I had my 2nd Carlton broken into in a pub car park in Northwood, west London. They smashed the rear quarter panel window to get entry and then stole exactly nothing.
The radio was factory standard and not worth much. The only thing worth anything was my toolkit in the boot but they didn't even take that. Perhaps they were disturbed or just wanted something to sell.
Insurance replaced the quarter window but it was still galling.