DaKa

It does sound like your transmission oil has boiled and looked for a high pressure escape route to the outside world. It doesn't necessarily mean that your auto box is fried, but it will certainly need to be checked by a transmission specialist and may need new filters/seals/cooling connections. I've heard of some adding an independent cooler for their transmission as this problem has been reported before on the forum - check the rcent thread from 'Haylands' Best of luck and I hope it doesn't require a replacement.

I'm not the expert here, but I would refer you to some previous posts in this subject including those on the SC430 section as the ABS/VSC problem is almost certainly related. I can however confirm that the cambelt is not anything to do with your braking issue. It seems that the car has sensors that can corrode making the car think it is in a skid or that one wheel may not be turning?

There are several posts on this forum about the ride height and likely causes. If like me however, the car was running while in the air for maintenance then it may reset itself alternating the switch between high/low and another battery disconnect for a short while. It is however more likely that the compressor seals or one or more of the level sensors is broken.

If you haven't seen it before then you really must watch the wheeler dealers episode on the LS400 where they convert both the indicators and main beam lights.

I guess some 'green' non-driver politician has introduced this to get us all away from V8s, on our bikes and driving a G Whizz.

It must have been based on a London Cab! I drive mine most days, and whenever the journey matters - would use everyday except I have 2 cars plus a Sunday afternoon classic.

Wow Peter - Your unfortunate news has shocked me, so goodness only know how you must feel. It's also apparent that you're an upright gent to come clean about responsibility. I hope that you get the correct value from your insurers and I'm sure that if you buy the salvaged remains back from the insurer that you will transfer all those lovely new bits to your replacement and If not, then there will surely be a queue of forum members.

I'm keen to keep this topic active as 1) I'd like to know more about these cheap bushes that you have ordered (link please?) and 2) I also get a noise when starting my car and attributed it to the air slots e.g. like when you move the direction to feet/slots/windscreen. Listening to the front right side of my LS430 which is where I believe the air compressor for the suspension is sited I hear more of a low pitched whine rather than a burble. Can you be sure it's the suspension air compressor? and is it that this particular noise is a sign of things about to fail?

This is the kit I used - I rate it highly - seems to be available in UK now. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Splice-Lok-1-2-3-8-5-16-Metal-Pipe-Repair-Compression-Kit/273174408915?hash=item3f9a76aed3:g:WacAAOSwJdZZbNuQ

If the pipe is in an accessible place then you do have a cheap option. I bought a pipe splice kit circa £30 from USA import and it allows you to connect 2 pipes or repair a damaged area - it allowed for 3-4 different pipe sizes and connectors. So, if your pipe has a small damaged section you only need one kit/splicer, else you will need 2 for a bigger section where any new pipe cuts meets with the old pipe. I'm going to have to dig out the link for the kit and post later

Sorry the item has expired, so the link won't work but the seller was listed as https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/toyota_lexus_dealer

I bought mine LS430 from Ebay earlier this year using the link below - everything supplied and delivered as expected. Suggest using the same seller if they have what you need in stock. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-New-lexus-LS430-Front-Brake-x2-Disc-315-mm-43512-50230/122920961677 I have a link for the minted pads also if needed. P.S. Be sure and clean the hub thoroughly and a little copper grease or silicone before fitting the new rotors.

That is a lovely looking car and I've also been looking at the 460SE-L recently in the UK. Would it not make sense (looking at the price advertised on the screen EUR20k) to take a trip to the UK? The prices vary enormously here between traders and a few private sales but some are very competitively priced with FLSH.

These are great cars and yours has a few custom parts and slightly lowered suspension if I'm not mistaken - wish that I'd had the room to keep my old one sold last year. Make sure the big jobs have been done (timing belt, rotors etc.) and this will last you a lifetime - being all black you will need to be sure the A/C blows cold. Best of luck.

Thankfully this is a car forum and not a political one and we all want what's best for our cars (and kids) 😉 It took me more than 3 months and online submission of complaints and photos to get some serious potholes in my neighbourhood fixed - that's Essex CC for you though! Back to cars - there is nothing to top the luxury second hand car market compared to LS Lexus as alternatives although the same price (8 series BMW, some Jaguars) when they go wrong it really is a trip to the Bank.

The LS430 is indeed a great value car and old ones are holding their value well at the moment. Not wishing to go off topic here, but considering the last post from Denis, it's not as if we don't pay enough tax for the roads. We pay tax on our purchase, having paid tax on our salary to be able to make a purchase, then we pay road tax annually plus massive tax on the petrol we buy to fuel our vehicles plus MOT tax. Our grandchildren will find themselves buying petrol on the black market or having to drive their V8s in China, India or some other polluting country without 'green' taxes. If they put the car tax on petrol the value of bigger engine cars would go up not down as more people would want to own them as Sunday driver. By my rough calculations, if you do 5,000 miles p.a. and they added 10p tax to a litre of petrol then you would pay about £100 extra. My current car tax is circa £300+ and post 2006 cars are £600+. Having 3 cars with a combine mileage of 10,000 (strangely, I can only drive one at a time!) I'm paying nearly £1,000 p.a. and P.S. They reckon on there being 3.2 million un-taxed cars on UK roads. Seemingly car tax on petrol wasn't introduced as it would be unfair on high mileage users - but isn't it them causing the pollution and damaging the roads 'thrashing' about in 1 - 1.4 litre hatchbacks? Got that off my chest... that feels better!

I was going to suggest exactly the same - it's very unlikely you will need to remove again, so if you have a mirror the right size use epoxy resin or from the pound shop 'flexi glue' it secures but remains flexible and even a bit tacky to the touch.

Just go to his profile or click on any of his posts and select the option to send a message: https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/profile/34175-dale_v/

A 'little' spray of releasing fluid into the cavity to work overnight may assist. I've found when they are really stuck, stupid though it sounds, is to try and give them a slight tighten as once they have moved either way it helps to release them - best of luck and protect your knuckles!.

You're right, we are all ruined driving Lexus, in fact we are spoilt rotten.

It will definitely pay to bleed the brakes starting with the rear being furthest away from the servo, so you will need someone to pump the brakes for you. Pumping the brakes repeatedly quickly will indeed make the pedal feel more solid as any air trapped is compressed and compressed again each time you push the pedal in succession. It will expand again given a short time. Fluid does perish in the pipes especially as a result of heating - not everyone bothers to refresh their fluid at intervals. If the fluid level has dropped, it is an indication of a leak somewhere, so follow the pipes from the servo as best you can and feel any corroded sections and joins for any weeping - it should be bone dry, Leaks can occur at the joins to the master cylinder so be sure to have a good feel underneath and around.

I can't tell you if Westfield are a good choice, but I can confirm that the air con on my LS430 was fixed and resolved to my satisfaction by Bonair Benfleet (not too far away from Rayleigh). I'd tried Kwikfit and Formula1 beforehand without success and although not cheap at Bonair 2 years on my AC is still very cold - it did come with a 3 year warranty. https://www.bonair.co.uk/find-us

I feel that the economy would improve if there was a dedicated lane for Lexus drivers only. I had a parking sign at my mother's house to tease my many brothers 'Lexus parking only', when I had a SC430 to compliment my LS430 they of course changed it to the plural 'Lexi parking only'

Thanks John, very kind and thoughtful of you. I'll see that these get cleaned up this summer and then used. If sold, any profit will go to HCPT charity, Grays group 831.

Thanks for putting the cost involved here Malcolm. Did you provide the parts to your mechanic? I've been quoted £375 (labour only) to change the belt/pump on my LS430 at a non main dealer but Lexus specialist in Rayleigh, Essex. Your mechanic guy seems good and perhaps the forum will allow you to provide his details? There are some kits that include the belt-tensioner and bearings together with the belt and pump that are tempting me but I'm always worried about OEM specification as it's down to me if I buy the wrong parts. Anyone bought a kit from Ebay that can provide link? It is a job I've tackled before myself (on my oldSC430), but getting a little too old and achy now and <£400 seems a bargain.