The-Acre

Looks superb!

Thanks for the replies, I do have a manual but it's Japanese so not much use. I do seem to remember from my previous one that 36psi was the norm but I thought I'd see what others were doing. We won't be loaded, apart from the last leg from Calais where the boot will be full of wine! I won't be driving too fast but I will try it flat out in Germany for a short burst, just to see if it's still limited from its life in Japan.

I just wondered what pressure you LS430 owners have. I've always done 36psi all round but as I'm driving to Austria next weekend I wondered if I'm over inflating.

On the LS the badge is secured by two screws and I imagine yours may be the same. However, as with most things Lexus, there's some dismantling to be done before you can access the screws, nothing major though.

Just to confirm, did it have the lightening flash on it? It's only that type that made them go faster!

Try this company, my Celsior is insured with them, low excess as well!

I guess in the end it's down to you accepting the mechanics advice that you've been given. These forums are only able to give advice/make suggestions. I would however suggest a second opinion from a mechanic that has a good knowledge of these cars.

Fair comment. And did he say the compression is poor and where the fault is?

That really is very very nice, and lovely colour.

If there's oil on the plugs it has to be getting there via the top end (valve guides) or from the other end past the piston rings. Did the mechanic do a compression test?

To be honest it could be several things. If you don't have any oil leaks it must be burning it. What's the service history like, has it had regular oil changes and filters? I would maybe start by getting a compression test. Does it smoke from the oil filler cap when the engine is running? Maybe valve stem seals allowing oil through to be burnt? I'm not sure about the PCV valve on the GS, a possibility maybe.

I'm no expert but a 100k GS300 shouldn't burn oil, certainly not to that extent. How often do you top it up, after how many miles, and how long have you had the car? How do they know a piston ring is broken without stripping the engine down. I think I'd take it to another mechanic!

I think if you've got a nice car it does give you a good feeling when it's had a good seeing to. And Steve, that's a beauty!

Oil burning would be blue, and at 100k I wouldn't expect it. White may suggest water vapour. Does it happen all the time?

Perhaps a little more info? Car's mileage, colour of smoke, engine oil colour, coolant level etc.

Just ordered them, thanks.

I've looked on eBay but I can't find them!

Ooh, the link for these please, must have!

I haven't ever seen a post where someone has such a late LS. Personally I would phone any Lexus main dealer and ask to speak to a technician, they'll give you the info you need and are generally very helpful.

A good result! I've had a dash cam for some time and have recorded some shocking driving!

Tell me any genuine part that is! Much better to spend that sort of money on a vehicle you've had for a while and that you're familiar with than giving up and buying something else that could be a Pandora's box!

I'm glad you've got things sorted, but being nosey, how about an "approximate" repair bill figure?💰🔧

Have you got a simple multimeter so you can test the battery? Always a good tool to have, especially as they can be bought for as little as £8. It seems very unusual for one to loose total power so quickly.

I also washed it today, did the final rinse with water butt water to avoid hard water marks and removed the original Japanese breakdown flare just in case it got picked up at the Eurotunnel in two weeks time as we begin our drive to Austria. Oh yes, I also polished the headlight plastic so now they sparkle!

All very interesting reading. All I can say is having replaced the radiators on my three LS's there was one that clearly was in danger. I'm not sure how flushing the radiator regularly would have helped as the corrosion was starting on the outside and was fairly severe in places, not the radiator itself but the connections on it. My last one was full main dealer serviced and looked OK, although it spent its life garaged. I'm sure we concern ourselves too much with these "what if" issues. I did replace my current one, although having lived its life in Japan probably wasn't needed. It did however mean that like my previous ones I was able to give it new Toyota coolant and replace the transmission rubber hoses, as on a previous one a hose was split and not far off breaking.