ambermarine

I went for that same colour and 98 year the colour was not my first choice but the car was mint and only 20k miles,I have had it eight years now and it is superb and as given me little or no problem and is still mint far better in every way than my mark 1.

The issue with applying anything to the threads of spark plugs is the non design factor it as never entered the field of design to do this, so all sorts of factors are introduced outside of the design and use of them. If it was done in a warranty period the warranty would be voided whatever the basis of the claim because the insurance company would invoke non design practice . The possibility of the spark plug insulation separating when extraction is attempted could lead to issues because ot he thermal differences being outside the manufacturers design due to grease being present and subsequent locking up,Loctite is designed to lock up the threads by solidifying, baked grease as a similar effect. Some times we tend to over think the requirements of components and their operation with regards to the spark plug just screw it in and leave it to do its job.

Malc I was going to post this but left it to your superior knowledge ,no It is not a reported catastrophe on this forum as long as I have been on it.

Use a turkey baster or a big syringe put the same in as you take out four or five times until the fluid goes pink or as near to pink as it will go run the engine and turn the wheel after every dose.

When I got my Mark 4 I dispensed with the lexus filter and put in a K&N for life they cost around £80 but every 30k just swill them through with parrafin. and they will last for the life of the car.

I have had the exact car and the same colour I now have the Mark 4 and I know which one is the best and most improved but I always loved the no messing look of my Mark 1

It looks great until one goes below has the classic issues of the Mark 1 "rust" other issues showing on latest Mot are usual culprits for a 30 year old car.

The bottom cat flanges rot away over time but a preventative application of thermo aluminum paint every two years protects against the corrosion ,just redone mine. The mark 4 had a ignition switch problem caused by over zealous greasing of contact points which resulted in total blanking of instrument binnacle,easily rectified but a pain to access.

I read your posts Phil and I thank my lucky stars that I discovered the Lexus brand 25 years ago. I have owned 2 400s and the spend on keeping them on the road over the years as been minimal ,I concur with Mark in the reflection that original parts for a Lexus are as near as you will get to perfection because that was the their watchword. When they set up the research and development department millions of dollars and years of experiments by suppliers and would be parts manufacturers were spent and aftermarket products are to some extent a deviation from the original specification put out by Lexus. It may be that the part being produced is better in some respects with new materials being tried but to my mind if all of the parts that came together in the original design worked then to try and improve on that is likely to bring up anomalies in the performance of the product.

Hi John Good research and definitive explanation of this anomaly created by rules that make a nonsense of something.This for no good reason disqualifies a person of their right to fit a towbar to a vehicle which to all intents and purposes will do the job perfectly well. I had a few years ago reason to get a CE mark applied to a 12v discharge oil pump that I was importing from the US enabling me to distribute it in the EU.This entailed giving it to a Guy in Wigan who tested it for noise frequencies pollution and other aspects of its origin and construction to certify it met CE approval ,That cost me a grand and to this day I feel it was another example of the money tree the EU stands for serving itself. The pump which had been around for twenty years and sold in the big US marine chandler outlets was tested in the USA type approved by the US coastguard for ignition of flammable liquids and gases (the pump was designated for use on marine engines)when I asked the contractor who tested the pump on behalf of the EU he said he had'nt done that test because he did not have the expertise. This now showed how farcical the EU rules are and convinced me we are better off out twenty years ago.

Thanks for that update John and I now feel a bit better over the mis-information that I broadcast. My car was registered in Nov 98 and falls into the category you describe of non approved and no tow bar available .The information in the handbook was printed before that date and was directed with the terminology at the US market (towing hitch) so my initial info was correct for the most part. The unavailability was created by the EU regulations, another good reason for leaving it.

Hi John I have to apologise to the members because my previous posts are not correct the handbook states the towing capacity is 2000 kgs with a brake and 750 kgs without so where I got the info from I cannot recall but I had looked into fitting a tow bar some while ago and read somewhere that Lexus do not make a towbar for this model as it is not designed for towing although the handbook gives advice that you must use a Lexus towing hitch .If you approach Lexus they say there is'nt one and the car is not designed for towing and I definitely read that somewhere. More research is needed it might be that Lexus changed their view after issuing the handbook but the towing advice is very comprehensive.

Hi John No, because the manufacturer says the car is not designed for towing and that in itself is enough to condemn the fitting of any type of towbar.

Hi Howard The 1998 Lexus LS400 according to Lexus is not designed for towing so this means that no reputable company will supply or fit a towbar as it would be unsafe That is why you cannot source one from Lexus there have been instances of people transferring towbars from other series in the LS400 range but should you do this is a very iffy situation because even though you might get it through a MOT your insurance would be invalidated in the case of an accident whilst towing.

The second generation LS400 was updated from the Mark 3 to the Mark 4 in 1997 and there were subtle differences to the interior and the bodywork ,the seats are different in that they have side airbags so cannot be swapped. The part numbers will vary even though they are the same part because they are being applied to a different series that's why unless you are really clued up at Lexus they will not commit to the difference. I would save the ecu's and the antenna the carpets the sunroof and electrics ,as for the suspension and sub frame the series 2 upgrade (Mark 4) as a rear tubular sub frame and the front is an aluminum cross member as for the control arms they are the same but the springs could be different. Do some research online there are reams of info on the subject Wikipedia is very good on the history of the LS400.

Mark Yes mine are brilliant and better than the oem wipers at hugging the screen also better visually.

BOB They are used for stowing loose articles such as groceries etc ,to prevent them rolling around the boot.

Howard The problem with the epoxy putty solution is flexing and expansion,the joint when new as different metals in its construction and they heat up and cool down at different rates this causes the epoxy to crack as there is no flexing occurring in this permanent structure after it as cured. the rigidity of the flange fastening as also gone due to the corrosion so vibration forces will also render the putty susceptible to breaking up. When my Mark 1 flange started blowing I had it welded but that after two attempts was unsuccessful due to movement in the joint.

I hope they treated you well Howard, the impression I got was they were to come to us and do the shoot but it seems from your information that there were several companies vying for this commission and the one that contacted me was up north.Needless to say they did not contact me to let me know I was not required and to be honest I would not have been traipsing to the south coast even for the Lexus president.

The CC flange was the first to go on my Mark 1 and I had to failed attempts at welding it .When I got my Mark 4 the same thing was starting to happen so I used the Hard hat high temp paint to try to slow down this process.It is a resounding success and no further wasting as occurred. I know it is too late for your system but it is a reminder to other members that this process is inevitable if not tackled early. The first pic is on application the second after six months I put a quick cover spray on every year and it as never burned any of the paint off the actual flange.

Paul If you check out the original manufacturers parts catalogue the part numbers for the 97 model diagram UCF 10R are the same in the diagram showing the UCF 20R the 97-2000 mark 4 which suggests Lexus have updated the parts catalogue to incorporate the suspension for the now defunct 97 mark 3 model. So this is why the part nos for that series are no longer quoted to save any confusion and Amayama are confident in their advice.

According to the 7zap site the two suspension systems for the Mark 3 and Mark 4 are the same and so are the part numbers for the part you describe. To be sure of your facts before ordering check it out.

I have never liked the spindle grill on the Lexus range and they are now starting to look like a panel van front, no style and as stylish as a kerb edge.

Looking at that difference in the two shades it would be impossible to get an exact match if that is the best they can achieve from your sample. My mate in Scotland who is a upholsterer and leather technician once told me it is only possible to match these colours on the actual material in situ and anyone trying otherwise is groping in the dark.

Sorry Phil you missed the earlier post "warm welcome" and your parcel delivery man. this was a reply to Mike.