Tinonline

Sorry to hear now you have to fight the establishment. Sadly the other parties claim effects yours too. Tit for tat settlement. You will need some legal help. I also think if you can get a cheaper repair quote that will your most powerful argument.

Yes dealer will infact just replace the belt and inspect the pump etc.. My motor had only a genuine 72k but needed new pulleys plus water pump. Whilst you're there it is worth replacing as much as you can. I did this job myself. So makes it quite cheap to do so much.

Getting a little bit tired of the trade car sales spittle in the ads. I know, I should not read them then... Most recent balls comments appearing on Lexus models and too frequently are "High Spec version" or similar. They are all high spec. Next up is bullet proof and reliability...only with a decent service history and some care. I'm looking for an SC430 for my wife to replace the 2000 Jag S Type...yes the one I rattle on about once in a while. My Year 2000 LS400 is irritatingly good. Shame Jag didn't match the build quality. (Engine top end oil leaks, air con pipe fractures, gearboxes, electrics - mystery draining battery syndrome, coil over plugs no way as good quality as Lexus, front and rear suspension). Working on an S requires a gyno specialist with full equipment who needs to be 5ft tall with very thin arms. Although the water pump change is a doddle! Work to do on the 400 will be on the front suspension, probs not much. Mileage? 79,000. (Jag has done 69k...with rear links and expensive front drop link - very normal). Have a later S Jag? Nope: ZF gearbox regularly terminal. Engines are perfect though and the 4.2 is fine and without the cambelt nonsense...but it still won't do Lexus strato miles as far as we know yet. One lady owner...surely that's a sexist comment and inferance...and illegal under multiple EU laws? Back to the ads then...

Nothing to worry about although I'd budget to replace it by the next MOT if doing lowish miles. Doesn't have to cost a fortune although getting quality at a good price takes time. I import from US if UK market doesn't deliver.

Reading Lexus very helpful I find with batteries and tyres good value for quality and at least match all others. My non franchise Jag specialist works on all manner of classics and has knowledge of Lexus so that's my route if I don't do the work. welcome to the pleasure dome!

They certainly have a good turn of speed.

are you sure the 0-60 time on year 2000 Ls400 is 6.3? That'll make it quicker than my 4ltr S type and I thought LS did it in 6.9.... Jag does 6.6

engine and engine output plus "other improvements"

Not if you own a 3.

Run. For £750 I bagged a 72k miles car. Some rough paint in places, needed belt & pulleys. Still a gem. That one is worth a few hundred - 200 quid.

Of course you are mad. Join the club.

In a 400 should be fine. Maybe it's a general health and safety warning: you know only time you don't get told to do it is when you want to drive the damn thing.

Oh dear me fears it's been clocked.

And may God have mercy on your soul...and pocket...

Well I've had a Jag 4ltr xj300 great car but rear arches are problem. XKR 4.2 lovely but flawed with ZF gearbox issues and overly high running costs; 4 ltr S type quicker than the LS 400 but air con, electrical drain all very stylish. Love my 400...

Interesting: I use fully synthetic and I get similar fluid requirements from my 4 ltr Jag S type... Mileage and traffic conditions must be relevant here. I'll keep a check...car runs A1...

I'm plagued by short mileage as Dads taxi and the pleasure of a few long journeys. Often I exercise the car... oil consumption at 867 miles since last oil change approx 400 - 500 ml. Coolant: topped up from low to max although this mileage is more like 3k plus. No leaks evident although I will replace the expansion cap. Recent belt and water pump change ...filled the correct way but still settling? do add your realistic consumption here 😃

Sucks like a polo mint too. Too many words usually a dealer...

Yep for the price + effort as you are there in the engine it must be sensible. I also replaced the tensioners and idler pulley. Everything apart from the fan pulley as tha was ok. At 70k miles the other pulleys had too much play...original units. I noted the Gates kit contained same pulley manufacturers mark as the original.

Hi that price is with original parts? Well you need high quality aftermarket not Lexus parts. It is a choice. I did my own replacing every pulley plus tools for under £300...your price is cheaper than Lexus?

Yes that's not too bad and a new belt whilst the mechanic is at water pump depth in the engine is just plain sensible irrespective of last replacement.

Hi I replaced pulleys, water pump, belt, tensioner with Gates parts from Rock Auto. Extremely reasonable. Recommend you ensure you pay VAT at point of purchase to avoid any surprises. Some sites and auction sites are vague here and you risk being caught out. With the Gates kit you get all gaskets you need.

Always a great topic. I remember reading a long tome on a US Lexus site from an individual who stated he had been on the design team on the LS for Toyota and how carefully they had designed the engine with the absolute oils as a critical component. You had to have it from Lexus... All gas. I mentioned in a previous post of mine that Toyota do not make their own oil as we all know. At the moment they use Shell Helix semi-synthetic. Bear in mind that fully synthetic is a more advanced formula and is "better" than multi-grade and semi-synthetic - BUT - the others are of a very high quality and are extremely good and perfect for your car. I doubt we would be able to tell the difference. 5W-30 seems to be the fave. Maybe Lexus recommend this as they tend to service younger vehicles? The temperature chart would go to the 10W-40 in any case. But formulas have a wider spread and capability anyway nowadays and some of the oils available today were not around ten years ago. On the mileage front...100,000 is not much for a Lexus and tolerances are probably pretty good. I think you would experience higher oil consumption if there was a problem. I'd like to hear what Lexus themselves recommend from their technical department. I don't use Mobil 1 from personal experience - poor cold start-up in some engines. Mobil seem to have changed the formula - this is a common experience I gather. Magnatec seems good to me and that would have been a choice if I could get the right grade where I live - seems to be out. This morning I replaced oil (Shell Helix Fully synthetic - has all the right numbers and codes) and genuine filter on my 400. I could'nt get the semi - I would have been as happy with that. I bought 6 litres from OPIE on offer for approx £32 including delivery. Bargain. The engine took 5.6ltrs and all was well on the dipstick. It does get confusing.

Alas Mobil 1 is not the be all and end all. It seems to be thinner of late and fails to protect on cold start-up. Jags don't like it at all.

My friends What an interesting afternoon. Went to a Lexus dealer to buy an oil filter and sump plug gasket. Discussion turned to oil...they have it in drums and didn't usually sell it in the 5ltr packs and I decided not to take one they had as I needed a 1ltr extra and didn't want to mix the oils. "Well this is Shell Helix. Toyota don't make their own oil." Pointing to the semi-synthetic 5-30 in the Toyota 5 ltr pack. Moral of the story: any good quality correctly graded oil is more than adequate.