steve2006

I'm guessing you mean "used" not "sued" otherwise I'll ask no further questions but avoid them :)

My coil sprung Celsior does feel every imperfection but the other one running on air suspension is as you suspect as smooth as silk, many years ago I had a Citroen XM and it's as good as that.

Hello and welcome to the LOC :)

No wasn't me but there was a mini meet down my street over the weekend to which I wasn't invited! There is a guy down the road with an IS200 with a snazzy paint job who was joined this weekend by a dark blue series III LS400 owner and later on saw them in convoy going towards Golden Valley. I did drive past a couple of times but didn't see anyone around to say hello to, perhaps a little intrusive to knock at the door and ask are you LOC members? If they are perhaps they will see this :)

Amayama price is around £64.00 plus there would be shipping and the HMRC contribution/fees so a good all in price from the USA. http://www.amayama.com/search?q=12102-50070 I had a similar problem when I needed a new UCA with the choice of a dubious chinese copy at around £50.00 or a genuine OEM Lexus part at £521.00! Found a genuine Lexus one on ebay at £120.00 :) I there no under engine cover on the GS430? My sump is still like new although I always wipe the oil drips cloth all over it every oil change.

It's a hook to hang Tesco (other supermarkets are available) carrier bags on in the boot so they don't roll about when driving spilling their contents around the boot floor :)

There's a drain plug on the transmission sump similar to the oil pan, remove the plug and around 2 litres will flow out, refit the plug and replace exactly the amount that came out, repeat as required. When I did mine I purchased 2 x 5 litres of Toyota Type IV ( £60.00/5 litres or get a friend in the USA to bring you some back at around $20.00!) Did the drain and refill 5 times and looked cherry red again afterwards. Between drains run the transmission through all settings to circulate the fluid around all the gearbox.

It always worries me with these kwik fix places, it's OK topping it up but what about the pag oil, if this is insufficient there goes the lubrication for all those seals and then the problems begin. A pressure test alone may not detect leaks over the long term the old gas needs to be removed the system,vacuumed, pressurised with nitrogen/dye mix then oressure tested and UV scanned, only then when it is confirmed the system is intact can the correct amount of fresh refridgerent/pag oil be put into the system

Hello and welcome to the LOC. Not too familiar with the IS250 but know it is well remowned for reliability, is a smooth V6 and has a timing chain not a belt. I'm sure other members will chip in with more advice.

One thing I would add is make absolutely sure every nut and bolt is torqued correctly and if thread lock is recommended on any use it. Reason I say this is that there have been a few incidents (one a LOC member) where after the cam belt had been replaced the VVTI actuator on the end of the camshaft had come loose due to the fixing bolts loosening then shearing and had consequently seriously damaged the engine to the point it was scrap. Ambermarine, when I replaced my UCA the book method was to remove the strut/coil but by jacking the hub up slightly the bolts can pass between the spring coils without removing it.

Sound like a good one overall, the valve that needs replacing sounds like the VSV fault quite common I understand, cheap part wise but expensive getting to it with labour running into several hours, but integrated into a cam belt change maybe it will work out cheaper. Same with the parking sensors get them replaced while the bumpers are off in the paintshop, not sure if they are OEM only or there are aftermarket parts available.

I have broken a 1997 UCF21 Celsior non nav if you need the manual AC panel please PM me. As for the wiring I don't know,surely can't be as bad as wiring folding Celsior mirrors to a UK spec LS400 :)

I let mine go with the car, present owner works nearby I'll see if he removed it and still has it.

Not going to be easy plug and play job, unless you can find a UK specification non sat model you can rob and then fit into the Celsior and even then you're probably going to need the full wiring manual and have some electronic skills. I'd just leave the original in place and use a stand alone nav..

Yes because you have a fault in the VSV system as detailed by Chris in the link, IIRC the required part is around £80.00 but it's a 5-6 hour job to replace it due to it's position so a lot of stripping down and reassembly.

I haven't done my own yet but the garage that did mine last time didn't remove the radiator but mine is slightly different as it has a hydraulic cooling fan set up. I guess you have seen the VVTI tutorial on www.lexls.com it's for the LS430 but basically the same engine.

Worst senario is build some weld up on the nut then hammer a socket over it and remove, idiots without a torque wrench eh!

You have a very early IS250, they weren't released until 11/2005. The tie rod is attached to the lower ball joint which is only available as a complete unit priced around £80.00 from Lexus. Part numbers are 43340-39505 LH (passenger side) 43330-39625 RH (driver's side) You may find companies such as Blueprint do the part or look on ebay, just beware of cheap chinese fake parts. Here's an example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS250-IS220D-GS300-FRONT-LEFT-LOWER-SUSPENSION-WISHBONE-ARM-BALL-JOINT-/171093912282 Lexus seem to have done it differently on this model as the ball joint is normally attached to the track rod end but with this method there are 2 ball joints on the LBJ one for the track rod end and the other for the lower suspension wishbone.

:) :) :) About the same when my local garage quoted 2 hours labour for my cam belt, took it in at 8.00am and finally collected it at noon the next, did honour the quote though.

Could be wrong but I would have thought a 2007 model would ba Canbus and therefore the new type should have been compatible. I'm pretty sure members with fitted towbars will chime in later. Just had a quick search and it seems that the newer type 13 pin should be suitable, apparently Lexus even make and supply an adaptor harness. They are available http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-RX-400-H-2005-03-2009-towbar-wiring-kit-13-pin-uni-NEW-AC-incl-manual-/261774336989?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Car+Make%3ALexus%7CModel%3ARX&hash=item3cf2f763dd

Agreed,find a good used engine,fit a cam belt kit to it and then fit it in your car. It's not just a case of belt and valve replacement there may be damage to the valve seats,tops of the pistons and fragments which have scored the cylinder bores. By the time you have removed the head,bought all the required parts and had the head repaired and tested you may as well have gone the secondhand engine route. A lot of expense for the sake of a £40.00 rubber band replacement and unlike the V8 engine not a 10 hour plus job.

I've not had a lot of experience with Lexus dealers as I do most of my own maintainance but always buy OEM filters from Derby. The normal for me is a friendly greeting and offer of refreshments whilst I wait for the parts guy to bring me what I've pre ordered. They do generally offer a courtesy car if one is available, the norm seems to be the CT200h so it may be worth nicely asking before you go. The serviced car is normally washed and vacuumed before collection. Lexus do offer fixed priced servicing so make sure the price is accurate.

I would send a letter by recorded delivery outlining your case and tell them that the car is awaiting their collection which you expect to be within say 7 days along with a full refund including the cost of the warranty if that was paid as an extra, keep a copy of the letter send.

Hello and welcome to the LOC. Lexus dealers are probably the best place to look for a late model FLSH example but the premium will be in the price, other sources are Autotrader. If you do spot something feel free to post up a link so one of us can buy it..... sorry I mean so we can offer advice :)

Hello Archie and welcome to the LOC. I'm sure you will soon recover the cost of your gold membership at your local Lexus dealer :)