grantwils

They’re getting a proper refurb. It’s just the plastic trims which are the issue. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Special equipment is needed to metalise plastic but if it’s already metalised it should chrome just like metal. Problem is if their prep would involve removing the metalising then it’s back to needing to metalise it first. I’ll give them a scrub/rub and see how they come up. The wheels, minus trims, are booked in for a full refurb at the end of the month. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. You’ve got me wondering if it’s real chrome would that mean that a normal Metal chromer could re-chrome them despite them being plastic. I might take one to the place doing the wheels and ask them to try to re-chrome got it to see if it works. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks John. Will white spirit do the same job or does it need to be meths or cellulose thinners? I’ve only got white spirit in the garage so will need to venture out if that won’t work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys. Lexus sprayed them with silver paint from a rattle can when they ‘refurbed’ them before I bought it so I’m not holding out much hope that they’ll be salvageable. I’ve got some autosol and wire wool so I’ll give that a bash. And see what happens but I suspect I’ll be needing to repaint them one way or another. Got the trims off the rear wheels and the fronts are soaking in penetrant spray overnight before I try to get them out. I’m going to drill out the holes so they have a better chance of coming out in future. Not that I’ll be planning to take them off much. Whoever came up with the design needs to get in the sea. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Has anyone found a decent way to refurb the chromed plastic on S2 GS450h rims. I’m in the process of carefully removing them from the wheels which isn’t easy. Lexus already managed to snap a bit off the alloy when they rattle canned them last time. If all fails I’ll rattle can them myself but would prefer to get them done properly. I’d replace them but not at minimum £25+VAT per trim with 20 required for the car! I’ve phoned a few places and no-one seems to be willing to do them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for your help everyone. £317 for the pump and £50 for my local Indy to fit it and normal service has resumed. No fuses blowing. No error messages. Pump clearly running when I open the coolant cap. Thank you everyone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Given that no errors pop up until it’s been driven for 15 minutes even with blown fuses I suspect the only feedback to the ECU is via a thermostat telling it the inverter is getting too hot. I should get underneath to have a look at pump tonight. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sounds like you know what you’re talking about. So new pump required you think? There’s apparently no outstanding recall for my car. Should there be? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the help so far folks. Some progress today following the advice above... Its eating 10AMP inverter water pump fuses within seconds. I’m still looking for an image or diagram of the location of the inverter cooling pump if anyone can point me in the general direction of one? I suspect pump is jammed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does anyone have any drawings of the cooling system or a how to for swapping the pump? Out of curiosity, where’s the cooling reservoir for my engine if this is just for the inverter cooling system? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys. Does anyone have a diagram or drawing of the pump? Tracing the pipes, I’m assuming pump is in the scary looking box with orange cables and a cover saying ‘this isn’t a battery you tit, it’s in the boot. Stay away from this scary high voltage thing if you don’t know what you’re doing’ or words to that effect. The coolant reservoir seems to be linked in my GS for engine and inverter coolant. My OBD reader tells me temperature data but I think it’s just for engine coolant rather than anything else. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys. Plenty coolant in the reservoir I can see, not sure if it’s engine or inverter coolant. How easy is the pump to change? Is it an eBay and DIY job or a Lexus main dealer thing? Any easy way to diagnose? I’ve got an OBD reader if that’s any use. Or can I test the pump in place or on a work bench? It had a main dealer service at 110k but local garage did basics since then, just oil and filter stuff. Have been meaning to get the hybrid system checked to get the warranty but haven’t been in yet. I’m not sure if coolant pump would be covered. The ‘almost certainly’ wording inspires confidence. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Anyone got any hints or tips to diagnose this issue on a 2009 GS450h with 130k on the clock? Comes up after around 15 minutes driving. Clears after 12v battery removed. Doesn’t come on if you drove sub 15 minute journeys. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got about 15000 out of the rears (and I drive like a *****). Another set going on soon after an alloy refurb. Fronts half worn, if that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Has anyone got any experience of coolant leaks on a 2007 RX350? Is it common and easy to pinpoint what the issue is? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you Is there a summary of the various common torque settings for the DIY stuff anywhere? Thanks. I got the cabin filter from ECP for about £8. It’s in the glove box isn’t it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I must have done at least 1000 miles in varied Scottish August weather by now. So far they’re very good. Had tracking done at the same time so will keep an eye on wear. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi all I picked up discs and pads with 50% off at ECP. £150 for front discs and brembo pads including cabin filter and some air con bombs seemed too good to pass up. Does anyone have the relevant torque settings for a front disc & pad change please? Come to think of it can anyone point me in the direction of a service guide for a 2009 GS450h please so I can find cabin filter and other bits and bobs too please? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I need to change front discs on my GS450h. I’ve done it before on x-trails, Disco3, IS200. Is there anything unusual or strange I should be aware of on the GS450h? I take it it’s worth replacing calliper pins while I’m at it? Will do pads too obviously. Weird discs are sold as single front left/right. Never seen that before. Usually just pairs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. Mine arrived today so will get them done over the weekend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How are you finding the tyres Normski? I need new boots on the GS450h and very tempted by these. I also used to run winter and summer sets but I’m tempted by all seasons with the GS. Getting 400 miles a tank so not hooning it around back roads and stuff. It’s a 60mph rush hour motorway couch for me. I do 20k a year throughout Scotland but have an RX with winter boots for the really tough stuff. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How do you turn traction control off in an S2RX350 and does it help? I was looking for a button but couldn’t find one. I’m not sure it would have helped. AWD system was fine. There were a few times I though “oooops I’m stuck now” but a liberal application of right foot fixed the issue. It was just the heavy bottomed out van that it couldn’t do anything with. Front left wheel just kept spinning. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My RX350 powered through drifts over the bonnet. We’re in Bishopton which was the 2nd worst in UK with 46cm in 24 hours. The only thing which was a bit disappointing was the lack of a diff lock made it poor at towing stuck vehicles. (Managed a Vito bus and a taxi but did nothing with a British Gas van which had bottomed out on a drift) Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S always help though. Plenty 4x4s (with diff locks) got stuck where this powered through. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S is the winter tyre I’ve been using for about 5 years on everything from SLK280 to X-trails and a 272bhp V6 Touareg. They can be used all year round and turn any car into a beast in the snow, handle fine on warm summers day but make a huge difference to grip on snow ice and cold greasy roads. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk