runsgrateasanut

My K Reg car Mk 2 (to my knowledge) was built in April 1993 and has 16" wheels though replaced by Lexus IS wheels since. You need to be aware that the Timing Belts for these cars do have a very small variation but one which is critical. One extra tooth to the belt for one year car. Sorry I can't recall exactly which cars have which, but I do remember counting the Teeth before my Mechanic replaced the Belt and all other parts. Ordered from Lexus with VIN number you can then be sure of the right belt. Parts? I'd buy elsewhere as I paid over £600 for Cam belt and pulleys, Waterpump etc., from Lexus. Buy parts t'bay USA for a better deal. ps Spongy Brakes were IMO a death trap on my Lexus and I had all parts replaced and S/S flexi pipes and now fantastic stopping power I can trust..

Even though I'd rather not have had the Alternator fail on me on the way to the Ferry, it looks as if on the brighter side, that it would have failed the MOT due in July with even the slightest evidence of oil/ fluid on the bottom tray under the new "Environmental" aspect of the MOT test. If I've read it correctly, look out for a surge in Diesel cars being put on the market and the price dropping like a stone, as under the new MOT test the slightest evidence of "smoke" from the exhaust pipe spells a fail. Think I've got that right. Don't know how this will affect Cars taken to a Garage in Winter where if there is not an air conditioning system in the building, most cars will show exhaust in cold weather.

Did the car actually drive with that terrible solder in job? Looks like the person just snipped the Caps and attached shortened new ones to the blob of solder. I suppose that this could reduce the risk of messing the layer in the PCB but it doesn't look too clever as you need to leave at least a couple of mm min to be able to solder the Cap. This said the heat would disturb the whole solder blob throughout I'd have thought.

You'll find them on ebay . com. I was lucky as I bought a pair being sold. Now, people put them up seperetely and probably charge more for them. Prices are a bit higher also. You may get a deal with someone and as second hand no import duty?

Not sure my 2nd pm reached you so, have you checked the Vacuum line from the MAF conduit to the ICV. It can get broken. ICV used to be my betanoire with Mercedes S Class. Had the ICV off more often than on!. Steam jet cleaned it in the end. Not had a problem with Lexus but the small connecting pipe did get damaged and was not sealing correctly. Glued it back into the hole and fine ever since.

Could this be a battery issue?. Recently on our trip to Dover to catch the Ferry our Alternator packed in and I was surprised how far the Car could drive just on battery power. If your Battery is dying it may be the cause. Just a thought.

I changed my plugs after about 120k. Of course they could have been changed by a previous owner? I put in Brisk plugs as they run hotter allegedly for LPG (please don't go there as the debate on this subject is elsewhere) but more importantly IMO is to change the leads. So I did, but the result was that I found I was running on Seven cylinders when I started the Car The Black plastic Casing in putting it back (oil filler cap side) had spliced through one of the leads. They are that fragile, and of course they must be properly aligned. Bit of a pig which is why you see some Cars without the black casing in situ. Not something I could live with. Can't say I saw any degradation on the plugs removed and I've never heard of part of the plugs coming away after a long period of use. The Car would have had to be runnign very badly for a long time to damage the electrode as you might see on an old Tractor or some other ancient engine.

Even we old gits are allowed to dream! Mind you, you know you'd never be satisfied as you'd keep comparing it unfavourably to the one you sold. Best not go there methinks.

Easy - just tell her its the folly of youth!

You'll want to check out this thread as regards springs/shocks. BTW Knuckle dusters may have that sort of affect on a Steering wheel?? My K reg car wheel is still perfect.at 133k miles

Wish I could find someone in UK or China who makes those LED Climate control Screens. America charges three times the price for a RHD screen to the LHD screen price and I rather resent paying the extra, together with import duty. S'pose I'll have to bite the bullet before they become manufacture obsolescent!

Well stangely, it looks like I need to add Lustre to my Cluster - My tip is definately extinguished!! LOL I wonder if the recent Alternator failure is the cause of this issue?? I've had a wavy Rev counter needle at Calais but it always seems to right itself this side of the Channel. Today, I have finally finished replacing the Alternator and Power Steering Pump. Not a job I'd like to do again and if the Garage took as much time as I did then frankly an estimate of the cost would likely have seen the Car scrapped (or sold for the number plate!!) The tip will have to wait. I've had more than enough Lexus "hands on" for the moment. Interesting thread however, but Soldering irons (plural) awaiting the ECU Capacitor challenge, first. Thanks to Rupert for seeing me through this nightmare job and putting up with my constant need for reassurance. By the way, does anyone know why the holes on the under scoop panel don't seem to line up with any holes in the upper structure? Good job there are Tow points so I had to sling a wire across to make sure the panel doesn't drop and catch the wind. MOT failure I daresay so need to sort before July.

Phil, The grey matter thought to look at what else they were selling. Personally I've not heard of the vehicle but then I don't take a great deal of interest in Cars, just the one I've got. Do they sell this vehicle in the UK ?? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Steering-Pump-with-Reservoir-fit-05-17-Toyota-Tacoma-2-7L-DOHC-2TRFE/302613429823?hash=item46752a7e3f:g:4hoAAOSwXzNaZ681 .

photo? The holding studs on my Car seem to ave failed and it s areal nuisance with Mats slipping forward. Do people use Velcro glued to factory carpet and to mats? or what other advice is out there? ps My W140 series had Long Hair Sheep Skin Mats which may be OK if you like driving in Slippers, but the Merc Throttle could be very taxing on the foot on long drives so they were sold to someone who likes the woolly dice sort of thing.

We were waiting at Medway Services for a recovery vehicle to take us back to Essex after Alternator failure and a guy comes up to me and says (very politely) "your number plate is worth more than the Car". I bought it from DVLA for £499 eight or more years ago and its not the first time someone with Isle of Wight connections has remarked on the number plate. DL being Isle of Wight early lettering. Not too sure how much this makes the Car worth. More than £499 maybe! . Looked somewhat sad on the Recovery breakdown low loader. Only the second time its been on one in my ownership, the first being when I took a punt on buying it without going to see it, from up in the Midlands. Had it brought to me on a Trailer. Do I regret it? Not really, but it has occupied a lot of my thinking time over the past four years and I've replaced many parts. New Alternator and P/S pump to be put on by me today. Another new experience I won't want to do again.

I'll be interested in reading any advice on this, as my Car doesn't beep nor flash lights when locked. Difficult trying to hear the mechanism engage sometimes, when busy traffic noise and in sunlight can't see the light next to the dash blinking. Have to test the door and most annoying when hasn't locked. Small thing but we expect perfection with our Lexii , so...........

Sorry Duncan I seem to have hijacked this thread. I had hoped by now that I'd have fitted those LED lights to the Clear indicators on my Car. I think they will be an improvement on the Chromed bulb look which I also have. It was on my "to do" list in France. Eventually - it will happen. They looked pretty good in the Amber units, but I prefer the Clears. Phil, the sender has already Posted to me the correct P/S pump marked as "parts". (Yet to arrive) I doubt Customs will wear that, and I may have to fork out Duty. However, they are not sending me a Returns note for the wrong part and I may end up with a saleable item which will cover the expense - if I can determine what vehicle it fits.? We'll see.

Its a different Animal Phil. I put a link to what I bought further up this thread. Waiting on the replacement and then will compare without dirtying the part which will need be returned.

Heavens forbid that I have to change something else, but if the front Springs needed changing then these don't look too bad a purchase. Expect to pay the same again in duty and Shipping. I bought my Alternator from them and it was speedy delivery. Not sure if US Cars are different for front Shocks? https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/1993/Lexus/LS400/Shock_and_Strut_Set/75-85186_D2?crid=2758446

I havn't taken it out of the bag because the inlet for the low pressure return is facing the wrong way. Also the back of the unit bears no resemblance to the unit in the Lexus Tutorial that I've looked at. The Three bolt holes are at, on the clock 3, 6 and 9. Does the Mk4 have this style of Reservoir.? I'm guessing that this is possibly for a Transverse engine of some kind?

Phil perhaps you are right? but my first impression of what I've purchased and this pump was that it was totally the wrong pump. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Steering-Pump-with-Reservoir-Fits-90-97-Lexus-LS400-4-0L-DOHC-1UZFE/371907948742?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160727114228%26meid%3D2be53df046194531b1bb79ec451317b0%26pid%3D100290%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D371907948742%26itm%3D371907948742&_trksid=p2060778.c100290.m3507

What a coincidence. Well I had an inkling something was wrong when in drizzle the other side of the Q. Elizabeth 11 Bridge, the Windscreen wipers seemed to be running a little slow. That said the Big "O" was coming through fine on the CD player and I think I got into my old Mum and Aunts mode of if "it aint stopped just keep going" !!. A few hesitant jerks on the Bridge (which may have been the surface) and must have ploughed on a further twenty miles with rather dim light cluster but no "battery " light showing. There were no Lay-bys but perhaps I could have pulled off the M20. Then it just seemed to die, with the Instrument cluster Arms waving all over the place like they were in torment. (Which they were!) A good job it died before I got to the slipway to Early Arrivals. Only part recovery by Ashford people on a nice new low loader, who then dumped us at Medway to be taken the 100 miles home by a rather older cramped and passed its best, low loader. I had ordered a new Alternator and Power Steering pump from the USA a couple of weeks back. Perhaps I had a portent of things to come? This is what I've received today from the States as supposedly a new Lexus LS400 1990 - 1997 P/S pump!! . Haven't a clue what this fits but think I'm going to lose a wad of money having paid duty and shipping. Ferry tickets down the drain.. Its just not my Week!

Just an update on this possible mod. Sadly, the old Lexus let us down half a mile from Stop 24 on the M20. The Alternator gave up the Ghost. Two hour wait on the hard standing and 120 mile on low loader return to base. Trip temporarily cancelled. Awaiting a part before attempting replacement. I'd add that having inspected the Clear indicators to add a strip of LED's there is a problem in that the Clear Plastic parts have a flimsy Aluminium inner reflective liner. Not so easy to cut a hole in, but I will in due course give it a try using silicone to hold it firm to the plastic. The length of the strip may be too long because of the liner and so will report back in due course. Only silver lining (pun) is that the weather in France is much the same as here- rubbish - so May month should be better.

Can't see the point unless you want some sneidy response. Just find your local Powerflow and quote them the thread and ask price to replace the Y pipe. The original may be Stainless but the Nickel content will have almost been depleted over the years and so could rust out.

This thread put up by someone who used Powerflow seems to have been removed.. Why?? Was it because it had Photobucket images which no longer display becuase you now have to pay P-bucket??? Its a pity, as I was able to quote the thread and get my Exhaust y pipe replaced with Stainless welded to the Cats for the same price £200. Best £200 I've ever spent. Find a local Powerflow and get a quote based on what others have paid to this chain. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/108632-rotten-cat-flanges-and-y-piece-exhaust-sorted/