runsgrateasanut

Had a Black Supra Mk3 and with the sidelights and fogs on it looked coolio. Felt a bit like being Knight Rider. Downside was it wasn't new, rear Window leaked, cylinder gasket issue always possible and the Air-con didn't work. Not good. Had I owned it when vutube was available to help with issues, I might have sorted it, Instead, swapped it for a Blue and Cream Mercedes 500SEC with cream suade seats. Lovely Car. Also tried a G Limited Mk 2 Auto after the Merc but laid it up for six years and whe taken out of mothballs it had a head gasket fail so sold it on. Zippy Car. It was same year as this LS400. Found it too difficult to get my Carcass in and out of. Went Merc for SEL500 and W140 S320 before moving on to this lovable beast. Wouldn't go back to Merc unless could afford a recent model, even then I think I'd probably prefer the H600.

A couple of grand expense should see it through the MOT successfully !!

I suspect it will never charge to 100% as I ran it to almost nothing from QE Bridge to the 24 hour service stop outside Dover whilst it was not charging. Funny thing however, the Battery charge light never came on, just the Wipers slowed almost to a stop. So, it probably Sulphated beyond remedy. This said it starts first time and the last Yuasa battery lasted the Car seven years, so I'll just monitor its starting. Last one died when I left it at the Ariport for two weeks with security on. If I do that again it would probably die.

Not got an idle issue, but interested to know if my battery is sound. Checked pre-start at 12.5v and rose to 14.68v after start up, at cold idle. The Battery was new less than two years ago, but the Car having had a failed Alternator 2500 miles back, and the Battery being jumped to get it in my drive after truck recovery, I wonder if that "jumping could have killed a cell? 12.5V seems a bit below par for it standing? Only did a short journey Friday and any security drain should only be small. Opinion welcomed.

Sounds like a quote from The Navy Lark for those of us old enough to remember! Golly! Crikey!

Looked at a purchase from them and Import duty is the VAT rate. so not 8% but 20% No VAT additional to import VAT. One charge. I bought am Altermator from them - cost £156.95 UPS charges £33.05 Import VAT and £11.25 brokerage charges. The £156.95 included the Shipping cost. £201.25 total

The cost is only free in the States, if you click on the "buy" link you can see Shipping and select UK and the price is $120. I think import duty is about 8% on the product but may be on the whole cost?

If I had a broken front Spring I might be tempted to buy these which are shipped to UK at an extra $120 and possibly import tax to add. https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/1995/Lexus/LS400/Shock_and_Strut_Set/75-85186_D2?xref=2759833 Struts may not be leaking but after 23 years............There will come a time.

Time to get a new Dog !!

Sound a really good experience. Aero blades at under a tenner seem to last quite well - two MOT's with same blades. Need to modify the drivers slightly, but effective

Think I preferred the "Barcelona Banger" car with Decals - Rozzers - Banging up Crims - that was funny - this? Be lucky if he/she gets what they want for it. But who knows OP's taste!

Very interesting Phil. The "y" pipe joint also gets weak I believe. Can it be used to spray Calipers, I wonder? Sold in various colours.

Can't recall using it going downhill or felt I needed to, but I do use 2nd up the slope to the Car ferry and 1st if on P&O Ferry up the side ramps which I find slightly daunting. I usually wait until the Car in front is leaving the ramp before starting. Stuck on the ramp once with the W140 Merc which was loaded to the Gunwales. Prayed that the Handbrake held and that the weight pulling didn't cause the "P" position to be compromised.

When I tried to buy one from the USA they wouldn't sell me one. I don't think they are approved for UK.

Those screws with cut off ends are the ones for the tray that holds the ECU. Three down below and two under the Glove box liner - one each side. Normal screws for the Air flow conduit (front black piece) and Air filter holder etc., don't have hacked off ends. Not removed Cluster so don't know about fastenings. Perhaps you've put bolts in wrong holes? Will check out your link as Thermostat has to be a lost wax type to be OEM. Can't see them for sale on ebay. At last I have my ECU is back from Alabama. Like London Buses, it and another that I purchased (just in case) came along together with the Postie. Car seems to be running OK but no decent roads nearby and too busy to test at speed, just yet.

If you are on a Budget or will rely on others to sort problems I'd say don't go there. When I bought mine the guy said its a rich mans car. Well its not, but expect to pay higher prices for parts by reason of importing them. Older Cars have a plus in that they have less technical to go wrong but a minus in that everything will have become worn in some way. Three instances which may be a headache and cost a lot to fix, are failed Starter Motor, Cam belt change if you want OEM parts, and the ECU may require Capacitor change or could let you down. Only the Cam belt change is predicable and you should perhaps only buy if you know its had a change. On earlier cars its a non-interference Engine , but not so on later cars. So a gamble with later than Mk2 if you ignore it. Lovely Car and may never give you any trouble but if it does, its no good moaning at costs to put right.

Looking at this one I wonder if it has similar issues or perhaps something else. Not too bad MOT record. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-LEXUS-LS-430-4-3-430-4D-AUTO/123346490119?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D53675%26meid%3D2307c282fcc14ac68ae2e31964809d73%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D173462204052%26itm%3D123346490119&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

The plastic clips are the supports for the Vacuum line hoses from the Power Steering pump. If you had to remove the battery tray to be able to clip the offside Rad shroud, (as I did) then they could be the bolts holding the tray in, but unlikely as they don't look rusty and not something you'd foget being awkward to get out. ps did you buy a new hose when you replaced the Thermostat? What did the two cost and from where?

No, its not a new innovation it was a Madras jar lid that I spray painted in grey and then half brushed 4K9 to show the ***** (forgive my language) Huggy that the colour 4K9 is Sandstone Beige Metallic and not Harvest Gold or whatever he insisted it was. Don't buy their paint as they are using an ICI colour chart which does not match. He wouldn't refund and I mistakenly left him positive feedback a month before I used the product. Here is a correct colour chart to check out your colour but its not the Autopaint site where the price of paint is lower. Under £20 a can if I remember correctly. https://www.paintscratch.com/cgi-bin/select-color.cgi

If you decide to just remove and spray paint the Filler Cap door, (which perhpas has been replaced after an LPG change of filler position??) then I suggest you avoid "huggys paint" on t'bay. They didn't match my colour nor I believe another owners. The wing shows their abyssmal colour match which they called something entirely different from the Sandstone Beige colour code. What I used from a small touch up pot I bought several years ago from Autopaint St Helens seen on the tin lid as comparison was spot on. They don't refund insisting their colour match is accuratem and also their cheap Lacquer turned out to be anything but glossy. Now seems a bit pointless to respray with the right stuff after the Car suffered Hail dents. I have bought a puller and may give it a go. Still waiting on the return of my ECU. Almost four weeks - quietly going round the bend!

ps Still waiting to be on the road again- Parcel force are absolute rubbish - stuck somewhere in Coventry whilst they no doubt send me a second class letter to say I must pay an import charge before they'll deliver - so frustrating I've almost bought several other Cars from a Honda Legend 2001 to a Volvo S80 just because I'm so fidgety and can't get to Hospital appointments, the Shopping, go to the dump, etc etc. Doh!!

I can't help on that but if you'e found one that fits your Car then at least you don't have to worry about the fact that later Toyota's according to Scotty Kilmer (I know I don't get out much) have it located inside the fuel tank. Then requires replacement of a very expensive combined pump and filter unit. Did he say $500? Thank goodness for old technology.

Chris fix did an interesting video on the subject. He did a reverse flow when testing but intersting result. My 25 year old car I doubt the filter has been changed? Got a Motorcraft one (Ford) Is it good enough or should I get oem? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92TfTQTmuq4

In my LS400 I use 95 in the Uk but have to use 98 in France. Persoanlly I think it runs better on 95 but thats the feeling I get. Slightly off topic how often do members change their Fuel filter?

Make sure the spare wheel is tightened down fully. Just a thought