Tinonline

Hi Malc, yes new owner will likely be on the Forum. We discussed and luckily is no stranger to Lexi! I was given a Merc by my son who now has entrusted me with his 911 turbo…I don’t have garage space and I’ve done a lot to get the Lexus to a good stage from very good with a few bits to do. I’m hoping he’ll move on to Ferraris so I’ll get the Porsche…no harm in dreaming even at my age…😘👍

After 10 unexpected but great years of ownership I sold my year 2000 LS400. Gone to a good home but I had to suffer the banal questions despite having a clean MOT and photos that demonstrate a car in very good condition. Hint: if you want one, go and look as you never know. Armchair buying is no good. So the first person that took the effort to look at the car realised what it was. They bought it. Thanks to all on the forum…great forum…I’m not leaving. Best car I have ever owned.

Nope…that’s a low rate for the work and it should last for a very long time.👍

Not yet, sorting wheels so will be a few weeks yet.

Malc…it’s time. This is the best forum I’ve encountered and have had the privilege of being a little part of. In my care I now drive and wield spanner’s on my son’s 2003 Porsche 966 Turbo…the 911 with the Mezger designed engine so no IMS bearing or bore score nonsense. 190mph unrestricted top speed. It’s not a passenger's car…😱 The LS400 is the best car I’ve ever owned.

At very long last and with some help from my insurance company and a careless neighbour repeatedly opening his rear door denting my car…I’ve removed minor but annoying damage from the port side of my barge. Front bumper sorted. Wheels next. Just picked up new mot with no advisories. Tester complimented the car as being all tight underneath and all clean. Bless it…it’s going to pay towards a new kitchen. 🫢

The sales are not matching the Government and EU production level requirements so grants/subsidies are lost. It’s not worth manufacturers’ time. Roll out synthetic fuel. It exists.

Have a search on this Forum and other Lexus forums plus YouTube. Folk will pitch in…from memory release auxiliary belt. Identify alternator fixing bolts. Jack up and support vehicle. Undo from top and underneath as practicable. Draw unit forward and out. This will expose electrical connector for disconnection. It’s a step taken in a cambelt change so it will feature in those guides too. Hope that helps.

No joking…you could get your unit rebuilt. it’s not too bad to remove. That said obvious route is Lexus Dealer like Lexus parts direct the OE one, not to be confused by parts dismantler by same name but a second hand unit from them is an option with obvious risks. Or Amayama is a good source. In olden days refurbing was very common. You might get a Denso unit not made for Lexus but wiring plug might not fit and need sorting and it won’t necessarily be made to Lexus specification. 🙂

You had a later LS? on standard wheels with well serviced suspension, quality tyres, they handle and stick very well. sure the steering feedback is not exactly sports car but…it’s forgivable.

I’ve a rust area that’s been there since I’ve had the car for 10 years…yes that long…that hasn’t grown at all. Must have been a Wednesday car… that’s silly money…how about trying you’re own fix, giving you more time to shop around…there is a recession on and car prices are collapsing (readjusting) so prices will come down.

I get my batteries from Lexus dealer or Lexus Parts Direct. They last well over 5 years without trickle charging and put up with my flattening them from time to time working on the car or when leaving an internal light on…I don’t use the car much.🤪

Started my 400 and went shopping…bit clunky downshift around 2nd but took a while to warm up…front suspension a bit clunky too…need to spend some love over the Christmas hols if it’s not too cold. 😁

I know it’s crazy but clearing out the system really works. Until the last few years I’ve never had to do this but older vehicles have to be on top service. I believe my Lexus is on point but I don’t take any chances now. I’m not convinced by the MOT equipment or their ensuring the vehicle is up to full operating temp. I reckon a good clean out and decent fuel will sort things out for a good term. Time your oil and filter changes close to the MOT, add cat cleaner and ensure you have a good run. Yup no exhaust leaks. I’ve gone through a few tests with a number of minor blows but depends where they are… If you don’t have O2 codes and emissions warning codes your motor should not fail. But it doesn’t work like that does it…

As Malc notes, Rockauto are ok. I’ve had good parts and prices from Ayamara…luckily no cancellations. I had x2 lower ball joints from Rock Auto at $40 each plus tax, delivery extra. They we’re Beck & Arnley might have been on offer and would be daily driver quality+ so not cheapest on offer. They’re 4 years old, have done 19,000 miles. Light surface rust sorted by qrust and paint a few months ago either rest of the underside. All good and just through the MOT.

I’ve had issues like this in UK and Spain with a few vehicles. Do use a Cat cleaner on 1/4 tank of fuel and get the engine hot. Use premium fuel. You can use oil anti emissions additive in an oil change. Get a high quality plug in check on diagnostics…something is not right…

I got underneath and brushed on Kurust with a 1.5 inch brush. Delighted with results I let it cure for a day before spraying over with a hammerite type spray. Kurust coverage is excellent. Worked a treat.

On the bearing front 300quid if fitted is a slice of money but it’ll be fit and forget. I’ve an SKF on one corner. Cost me £100, I bought the bearing for 50 quid, took the down link and hub in my backpack to an Indy who charged me 50 quid to swop it out. I’m boycotting SKF as they’ve moved their UK production to Poland, shutting the UK factory.

Oh on my LS400 the windows are completely automatic. Saturday am I rolled up to check tyre pressures to find the driver’s window completely down. A few days later my wife noticed passenger window slightly down. Now I can’t discount the passenger window down to wife fiddling… Retracted all of them then re-shut. I’m not repairing anything so it’s going to have to fix itself. 🙄

Agree…worth looking at a refurb. They come back good as new. Used to be a local guy where I am was my go to. He’d remove and replace with a good turnaround time. Used a few times including heater rad core.

Way hey…my LS400 got its MOT! Lost my previous advisories on rear tyres and rust on chassis as I’ve attended to both but have a new advisory for slight wear on front drop links. I’ve had the parts for a while but copped out when trying to shift a nut…wasn’t in the mood but I’m up for it now having taken the front suspension apart to replace a wheel bearing. 😁

Worth checking all window seals, windscreen, moon roof - there aren’t any normal weak areas from leaks apart from the boot seal Is there Malc?

I’ve noticed parts not available anymore…hope Lexus sell off their rights to willing players interested in keeping the models alive. surely brake parts are freely available? Some good OEM prices in the UK. My phase. 2 400 was fully braked up with OEM total less than £400 parts.

Part 2 LS400 annual oil change. started early this morning thank goodness because it ain’t half hot now. Took my time and managed to only deposit a few drops of oil in the process. Usually the oil looks dirty as I pour it into the old containers but Fuchs has held up well with Blueprint filter. This year it’s Fuchs oil again but with a Lexus filter. As I was under the car, having got some Kurust and paint left over…had a go at the front to reduce any surface rust and clean up. I also cleaned up the bottom area of the steering rack drivers’ side where an advisory pointed to a leak or oil deposit. Just needed wiping down. But I’ve never had to top up and it’s oil crud and nothing fresh that I could detect. All done now.

The swingometer continues to shift as parts distributors change their market position. Eurocarparts, a good go to is now far too expensive and has dropped numerous options for the Lexus. I’ve returned to Opie for oils and had Fuchs last year and have done same for this years’ service. Lexus could clean up globally parts sales by positioning above replacement and charge a premium but not at the current pricing structures. Prices are a rip-off.