The-Acre

During the Bank Holiday there was 25% off everything online at Eurocarparts so I bought a radiator and fitted it today. A word of warning though. If you're going to do the same at some time, make sure you replace the rubber hoses from the transmission at the same time. One of mine had a split that was clearly a disaster just waiting to happen, see how bad it was in the photo. The other thing I'm not sure about, although I did the same to my last LS430, is the way the new ones (unless you buy from a main dealer) doesn't have the hose connection at the end to join it to the expansion tank. On the original one the plastic pipe that comes out just below the rad filler cap is blanked, but on the new one it's open. So all I did was get a longer piece of hose and connected it from the expansion tank to the open pipe by the filler. I'm sure that doesn't make much sense reading it but maybe the photos will help. Having said all that I had it running for 15 mins and drove the 6 miles home and the temp gauge stayed in its normal position. So what I don't really understand is why the new ones don't have the original configuration. Any thoughts?

I got it as well, cleaned the car one day, next day covered in thick dust, made to look even worse from about 50 rain spots which apparently constitutes a shower!

Have you tried going to the Lexus eBay store? I replaced the bulbs on my last LS430 which were D2R but I got them from Eurocarparts, unfortunately the fixing pattern wasn't quite the same, even though the number was. I think the genuine ones from the Lexus site compare well with Halfords etc.

Very nice, probably my favourite colour for the LS400.

However, it is worth looking at his advert to see the word he's added next to Lexuschap (Zindabad) in his listing, because it really does remind us that pride comes before a fall, and he will fall because people who are that cocky always do.

Personally I would rather have one with 100K + on the clock and full history, and a much lower price. Mileage that low on a 14 year old car really means nothing, there's still the danger of radiator corrosion, and as Mark says, it's not good for the suspension. Even if the low mileage did make it worth more, it certainly isn't worth anywhere near that much. Shave another 2K off the price and it becomes a possibility.

Am I right in saying you have to hold the button down before you start the engine?

Really sorry to hear that, it winds me up so much just getting a supermarket ding (which I rarely do as I park miles away from the rest) so I can't imagine how you feel. I hope you get it sorted and back to its former glory.

I think it's time to start taking bets, you could make a fortune, especially if the problem is a real outsider!!

I agree with that. When I had my MK2 one of the two ingnition packs went kaput, that resulted in the exhaust system, including the cats, virtually glowing red hot. Replaced the duff pack, exhaust back to normal temperature.

I agree with Mike, probably the seal. Either get a new one or do as some do, take the old one off, clean the metal and the seal then replace using clear silicone to fix it. The problem is water getting between the seal and the metal lip, more noticeable if you park downhill (or maybe uphill I can't remember) If you really want to be sure you can buy genuine Lexus discs from their eBay store for about £70 each, but I'd be happy to buy the ones that come with Mintex pads for about £85 all in, that's what I did and they were OK.

That's a good result, looks professional, but I've never heard of it. Do you not need a primer of any kind?

Deleted for being a bad,bad boy! I know there has to be rules, and this has been mentioned many,many times so not much point in me going over it again as it just gets backs up. However, I have been through the same thing so I know how you feel. Fab looking LS BTW, lovely colour combo.

Anyone live in Worthing and own an X reg silver LS400? I've seen it around a lot and it looks very nice.

Welcome to the LOC. We just got back from Cornwall on Saturday after a fab week in the Cot Valley. I only saw one other Lexus LS and it was the same model, year and colour as mine. How weird would that have been to see them both in the same car park.....apart from the fact I was in my Volvo! Yours looks brilliant in red, they'll certainly see you coming!!

I would imagine the discs are something that needs to be done ASAP to avoid over-wearing the pads so I will do so; are the rear ones likely to be affected as well? Interestingly you don't read much regarding the rear discs but I guess they do get affected by warping, although braking at the front end will always be heavier. I would however change the pads as well if you put new discs on, even genuine Lexus pads are fairly cheap-ish. One of the few things that are! Plenty of discs available on the net but I would avoid the cheap ones, I bought some for my LS400 and they warped again within 3 months. The wobble can also be caused by a sticking caliper but less likely on a MK4 which I believe doesn't have the front caliper slide pins, although I'm guessing yours is a MK3 so I'm not sure if it has pins.

Welcome to the LOC Rob. The steering wobble is common, usually caused by warped discs, and usually felt over 50MPH when braking, easy and fairly cheap to replace. Not a bad idea to take it to someone you can trust for a general check, but they need to be familiar with these cars really. The main concerns will probably only be suspension parts, but if you don't have any knocks or creaks you should be OK. Have the exhaust Y piece checked for leaks. Enjoy!

Rob, if its not an alarm problem you have I would suggest making a new post describing your problem. This is an old thread now so if won't be read by too many. As far as I know you can't bypass the immobiliser but it would help you if you give more detail.

It doesn't seem that the head gasket has been mentioned yet, and obviously not what you would want to hear. The IS diesel is known for this failure and unfortunately all too common.

Unleaded will certainly ignite, diesel won't, not just from sparks anyway.

I know how you feel, my MK2 was once taken away undignified on a low loader after five years of ownership.

That's unbelievable, it's the last thing you would expect to happen, even on a 1970's Alpha! That surely could have put your life at risk if as you say, you were going at speed. I'm not sure I would let that go.

That's great, thanks. I don't have a problem with mine but if it should happen, or happen to someone else it would be really useful to get the info from someone who's familiar with the procedure so I may just give him a call.

Just out of interest, can you find out roughly how much he charges for the coilover conversion, and how easy it was? It's useful info for us air suspension owners.

Or the fan!