Az1

That looks very similar to the one currently sat in the boot of my car. I just had the timing belt and waterpump changed last week.

It was a handheld device. Although it wasnt like the cheap looking ones you buy off eBay. I will ask him to have another look on monday and see what he comes back with.

Hi all.

Finally got the lexus on the road after having the timing belt changed. Drives superb for a car thats 18 years old. Anyway since i picked it up everytime i start it from cold the check engine light comes on and stays on for a maximum of 2 minutes and then doesnt come on again until next time i start it from cold. Havent had a chance to get it back to the garage but when it happened at the garage by the time the mechanic hooked up the code reader the light had gone out and he said there were no codes coming up. Anyone any ideas why it would do this? I will be taking it back in on Monday but just wondered if its something simple??

Thanks

Azeem

Hi Andy.

Thanks for the update. What price option did you go for? I can't see the brand that you received on the website.

Thanks

Azeem

Steve,

I am a registered with Equifax, and everytime I get an online quote for insurance the same thing happens. I'm not sure why either.

I just priced them up and they come to £45 delivered, which is a saving of around £30-35 over the SGS ones.

Andy you will have to let us know how you get on with them as I may just order for that price.

I've been looking high and low for these but only found one supplier on eBay usa. Unfortunately they won't sell to uk buyers through eBay, must be something to do with eBay and paypal fees I assume. They said they would only sell if I purchased outside of eBay and paid via bank transfer. May just go for it and see if they turn up. Unless someone on here is selling some for a Mark 3?

Hi Scribe.

I need a new set in mine too and I think I'm going to get them from the website below. There seems to be others but this one gets a lot of reccomendations by the looks of it.

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/car-boot-tailgate/lexus/ls?gclid=CImzpOfrm7wCFSYTwwodxi8Aaw

Just rhought I would update. Purchased a genuine kit of eBay usa and it shouls be here by the end of January I hope. Local garage quoted me labour of 200 including a general check over of the car as its been stood for so long. So all being well I should have the lexus on the road in a couple of weeks .

Thanks Brian. I got a quote today off a local independent that had done a fair bit of work for me in the past. He quoted 150 to 200 for labour. Just waiting for him to get back to me with regards to sourcing a genuine kit.

Yes I understand that and i've given it a lot of thought. But I'm sure if I rang them and asked what the total cost of replacing the timing belt and all associated ancillaries including water pump, etc it would be a lot higher than the 300 quoted above, add to that the day I take off work and the cost of petrol etc to get there and back then I'm probably not that far off 1200 to 1400 as quoted by my local lexus garage.

Oh and the added risk of driving the car that far (around 150 miles) with a timing belt that's been on the car since 1999. I just think it's a bit too much for a job that can be done for around half the price by a good independent garage.

Don't get me wrong I would l definitely prefer to go the dealer route and if Coventry wasnt so far i would definately go for it.

Unfortunately the other thing is that all the lexus dealerships local to me are part of the same group (RRG) so I'm sure probably not wrong in thinking they will all charge around the same for the work.

My other concern is the service manager was adamant that I don't need to change the idlers etc only the belt, water pump and coolant. Is this correct?

Thanks guys. I just got an update from the dealer. He reckons to change timing belt including the water pump, idlers, tensioner pulleys etc and new coolant would be roughly 1200 to 1400. I think I will source the parts and then get it done from a trusted indy.

Messi

Coventry is tempting but it's just too far and I have nothing to do all day.

Thanks

Azeem.

Hi All,

I picked up my 96 LS400 on Sunday, but before I drive it anymore I wanted to get the timing belt done as it was last done at around 60k miles in 1999, so its well over due time wise.

I rang my local dealer, and the parts department quoted me £541.20 (nearly fell off my chair) just for the kit which included all the tensioners, pulleys and water pump.

I then spoke to the Service manager who said he could do the Timing belt and change the coolant for 520 including VAT, when I asked what was included he said only the timing belt, no need to change anything else, and if I wanted the water pump doing it would be another 100 so a total of 620. But he isnsisted the other parts don't need changing, and he was giving me a discount on the labour as its a big job.

Whats everyones opinion on this? I know i can source an apparently Genuine Lexus Kit from the USA for around £300 inclusive of all import duty and VAT and get it done from a good independent for around £200 labour. Costing around 500 in total.

Where do people stand on the non Genuine kits ( a lot cheaper) like the SKF and Gates etc? has anyone used them? and if so has anyone had any problems with premature failure?

Thanks,

Azeem

Hi Paul. Thanks, I didnt get the best test drive. Not as long as I wanted as it didn't have road tax. I have put a condition on purchase that I will be checking everything over on Sunday morning and asking for a proper test drive to get it on the motorway etc. (Mates trade plate) from the test drive i did get i was keeping an ear on noises etc and couldn't really hear any noises whatsoever no squeaking no nothing actually apart from the whoosh of the v8 when i planted my foot. Fingers crossed that all is well with the car as I really like it and even the colour is growing on me

Thanks. Although now you have me worried I will call him tomorrow to confirm. Yes will definately post some pics when I get it home and cleaned up.

Thanks Norman.

Jim,

I've paid a deposit and arranged to pick it up on Sunday. I'm guessing he's not tsken it off just in case.

Oh, another question for everyone, what is the actual factory finish of the alloys on the mark 3? And can anyone recommend a good alloy wheel refurbisher in or around the Manchester area?

Thanks,

Azeem

Thanks everyone for all the advice and information. I Can't actually wait to go pick it up now.

It is a car that I will try and get to an immaculate state and keep for a long while. Although I will still keep an eye out for a Mark 4 at a reasonable price. I like the low mileage one on eBay but its just too much for me at the moment and it would push the price up even further as the timing belt would need doing on that too and the front and rear bumper needs attention.

Azeem

Brian,

Thanks for that, I'm guessing when I buy a Timing Belt Kit the Tensioners and Pulleys are included? Or would I have to ask for them separately? I've always been one for keeping the service history and general maintenance up to scratch, so i don't mind spending the money.

Steve,

You mentioned that the radio can be repaired by a "quick resolder of the radio PCB" I've had a look around and I can't seem to find anything about the illumination problems, only the problem about the leaky / broken display that can be replaced. Could you point me in the right direction? as I would like to get it repaired because I thought it looked c*ap unlit.

I'm guessing after a service and the timing belt change and refurb of the wheels the car would probably set me back around £2000, do you guys think this is reasonable to have a more or less immaculate 1996 car? Assuming nothing else needs doing?

Thanks,

Azeem

Thanks everyone. I had a good look over the car when I went to see it last night. When I pick the car up on Sunday i will probably take it straight to my mechanic and ask him to give it a good service and probably change the timing belt and watetpump while its in.

Anyone any ideas of the total cost of a timing belt change including waterpump?

Thanks

Thanks Malc.

Hi Mike. Yes it wasn't the best ad, but the timing belt was changed in 2006 at around 60k. So i reckon its due another change anytime soon. I might do it just for piece of mind.

Hi all

Just put a deposit on a 96 ls400

Just wanted your opinion of the car. The only problems i could see / find were bonnet strutts need replacing and the stereo didnt light up, but it wasn't the usual lcd problem. Oh and the wheels are in desperate need of a refurb. Probably finalise everything and pick it up on Sunday. Is there anything I should lookout for as its not been driven mich over the past 3 years?

Link below for your thoughts.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=151207854610&globalID=EBAY-GB

Thanks

Me too. Actually i like the car and have just seen the new pics he's uploaded. Definately not paying that much for it.

Just as a seperate question can someone confirm from the maintenance schedule what the actual timing belt replacement schedule is? I used to work for a toyota / lexus call centre back in the early 2000's and my understanding and what the dealers told us was its 60k miles or 6 years?

Thanks

If the guy ever gets back to me I might still buy it. Ive been after one for ages and unfortunately missed out becaue i didnt think it was fair to call the advertiser at 10pm. And when i did it was sold. I still wouldnt pay that much for it though considering he did offer it for 3400. I say fair do's to him he's a business man and if he can get that much for it then why not. He obviously knows / thinks someone will pay it.