runsgrateasanut

where's Rupert?

Well spotted. As one who paid £600 to Lexus for the parts I can't recall seeing a UK seller at the time or maybe I just went with the common notion it was best to buy from Lexus.

I'm certainly not in agreement its worth One Hundred Pounds. To an enthusiast who is "hands on" this is a good prospect. You could put it on ebay and see what you get. Mind you, you may likely get time wasters. When I mentioned starting the engine after various things I forgot to mention that after overnight oil in the pots, turn it over without the plugs in for half a minute.to circulate the oil. I very much doubt that the Lady would have put it away in the Garage fuel on "empty". A dry Garage, a gallon in it and a sound battery and suspect it would start. I hope its rescued as the styling of the Mk 2 was errrrrm slightly nicer than the mk3, dare I say? Beauty etc... .

I've bought several parts from America and I may have to look back at some bills. Checking out the price of the Cam belt parts at Dllrs 174.42 add Dllrs 27.94 shipping to UK totals Dllrs 202.36 add 5% import duty Dllrs takes you to Dllrs 212.47 converted to sterling by Oanda.com = £163.57 add 20% VAT on import makes £196.28 and maybe another £10 delivery UK side and you get £206.28 which is way below UK price. Let me know where my calculations are incorrect., Frankly, to let the car go for scrap is a great shame. Worth even considering an AA inspection or advice?.. Not quite so easy (being a V8) to put a little oil in the pots overnight and hooking up your own battery before an attempt to start the engine after checking the Water level. A gallon of petrol in the tank on top of the old won't do any harm. It will likely start But you should get more advice on this first.

MOT inspections never seem to differentiate between oil and PSFluid. They can't see the source so always say "oil". How common is an oil leak on one of these cars I've only seen one thread where it wasn't determined, if I remember. But maybe there are others?

Dennis I think that's a bit too negative. Parts are available imported from America at a reasonable cost and sometimes below cost. I doubt the Y pipe is an issue or it would have been menioned in the MOT. Mine weas fixed for £200 with replacement Y pipe. Cambelt essential change and once again although I paid £600 just for parts from Lexus (all parts plus Water pump) look on Am. e bay and you can find the set for much less and you get a gasket. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-90-94-4-0-Lexus-LS400-SC400-Timing-Belt-Kit-Water-Pump-/360321698203?hash=item53e4d8c99b:m:mj-PSGeoPhoJGT9Prr3PQig&vxp=mtr The power steering leak and alternator and starter motor are the concerns and yes the Tyres will need replacing, most probably. Its all do-able and you may have a very nice classic Car which will give years of pleasure and comfort to a new owner.

A nice Car for someone. A new Battery and possibly the dreaded Power Steering leak to deal with initially. I stored an MR2 for six years and although it started with fresh petrol, the brakes needed some expense so hopefully the handrake has been left "off" . I did within a short space of time decide my bum couldn't take the firmer low ride any more so advertised and sold it as a car without fault, only to discover that the head gasket had gone when the purchaser arrived. Not saying leaving a car for so long was the cause but did make me wonder as all fluids were left in the Engine.

Not lucky enough to get a four week break or just too stupid to give up the day job, though beyond pension age. Something I may not live to regret! Its no problem just two old codgers but the LS400 is a small car in comparison to the older Mercedes. In a W126 LWB we had five adults, their luggage (bagged not cased) a two foot tall plastic Toilet (for a caravan yet to put on a plot of land) a Guitar and Amplifier for Xmas week spent in a cottage in Poitou Charente in 2006 travelling at max speeds most of the time, with no effort. Loved that 5 litre car with its capacious boot. Younger travellers no doubt need more clothes etc (or think they do) for a longer break, and with really young children its a non starter to have a spare tyre. This I understand. 600 mile is my limit on a one day drive but to cover some of the mileage you guys do I take my Hat off to you in envy.

No, I wouldn't fit it but the breakdown people could, in an emergency situation reported under the policy. The LS doesn't have near the boot space of the old S class (imo) but we travel light as only two of us and never pack suitcases but plastic clothes bags, and of course the back seat can carry a fair amount of stuff on it. Invariably find we've taken far more clothes than we ever use.

Got a Toroidal tank for the Lexus plus other parts but not converted. If I do, I'll take a spare new tyre with me rather than the added weight of a wheel and tyre.. Provides extra space within for the junk we take across the Channel I do have breakdown cover so they can fit the tyre if necessary. Maxxis a good tyre imo.

Thats bad news. In the six years I used to go to france in the S class with LPG I always took the spare wheel, and of course, never needed it. Did you put in the Tyre inflate product or just pumped it up? Not too clear. Would not a 225 - 55 - r16 have done the job? Was there no altenative recommended by the Kwik fit people? 225 -65 - r16. I've no knowledge on the subject of tyres but to get you out of a fix and on board the Ferry and then find a Tyre place in France, perhaps?

I find my old Credit Cards do this sort of job probably just as well. Can be cut into any shape you need and any size strip. Well done for perseverance.

I should have known not to buy my car as it was missing its pen torch!

This site really should change its system to a secure log in - The Ransomware issue is a salient reminder?

No data to show if my belt had been changed previously but changed at around £115k and mechanic said Water pump beginning to weep. Now this is another reason for perhaps changing the belt, even though the one taken off I could see still looked in excellent health. Water pump lifetime expectancy? Consequences of just topping up that unexplained missing water? ps Wasn't that Amethyst Grey Car on ebay a year or so ago with 65 photo's? Failed to meet reserve and withdrawn at under 2k - Ipswich seller at that time?

Very occasionally, my alarm goes off when the Car is locked and I undo the Boot with a the key - not sure why?

As a fan of "ooh er missus wood kits" I do attempt to keep the parts from fading whenever possible. The box of a B&Q Base Unit I find cuts up nicely to the size of the windscreen and goes in whenever the car is parked up for a long time in the Sun. Beats those stupid tiny sunscreen things that I can only find online. So far the colour hasn't faded and I'm happy with the look. The kit didn't have parts to replace existing wood trim which I wouldn't have used. Pointless, unless I suppose a pattern change was the idea. Doubt inhaling any spray stuff is a good idea. Amazed at how some people on vutube spray brake and Carb cleaner with no mask or gloves. Good luck to their lungs! Not to mention brains but then the damage is clearly done!

The blue one does look nice. Not sure about the cambelt situation. Six years since replaced though very low mileage added since. Would that bother me? yes probably. Every five years or mileage if mine reaches that stage with me.. The Car with LPG it always bothers me when I see a Petrol guage with a level below empty. OK its got Gas but you need to leave a bit onf petrol in the tank and I'd say not less than a quarter full to be on the safe side not to drag in muck or if the gas plays up - which it shouldn't of course. If it was the blue Car with the LPG I might have been tempted as not so far away from me. Probably a good thing. Why do I need another?? Its an age thing I find that I often buy a second of something, be it tools, clothes or whatever. Daft b**gger

Before the 1200 mile hike I've just done I put in a full bottle of injector cleaner (perhaps too much?) at Dover and the usual 95 octane. Only needed two top ups while in France but had to use SP98 which I personally think that the Car doesn't like as much as the lower octane. 95 is only sold as E10 in France which I have read can destory an old engine so 98 only way to go and admittedly I use Supermarket / Le Clerk which saves 10c a litre so maybe not the best grade. Never had a problem with jerkiness although using Cruise I did think maybe there was a hesitation or could have been the way I disengaged it. Not sure if there are rules to follow on Cruise which I'll check. Most times I just pulled the lever forward to disengage and then pressed the button, but maybe I pressed the button only to disengage on occasions? Cruise is geat for going up hills but I don't like it when going down hills. Will watch out for hesitation symptoms with the small amount of driving I do in the UK. Throttle body cleaned not so long ago.

Curiious Mike how your original posting is not showing the earlier photo - perhaps you changed it as iI suppose it will have died on ebay) which explains why the observations made at the time don't refer to the current photo. At a glance the black car looks much nicer albeit a hash of lexus parts. A high price for individuality!

Glad its not an MOT issue but neverhteless there is nothing more irritating than something not working which you are constantly looking at! Malc you have my sympathy. I'd rather have been given a dent somewhere by a trolley which I'd barely ever notice than have something right before me not working properly. As you say, so frustrating! Won't be using the thump method if it should refuse to budge again as I imagine such a sensitive piece of equipment does not really respond to bullying.

Just back (2 am)from 600 mile drive from France (yawn) and my LS behaved admirably.. Always good to select a return on Sunday when their are no Lorries allowed on the road other than refrigerated. Road to ourselves and good cruising speed. Only surprised when parked up at Calais after the now usual double seach by the boys with the weapons slung on their shoulder, that the Rev counter was not working. It certainly was, for all the journey whenever I glanced at the speed. Anyway it started working again once in Dover and seems to now be OK. Must have got a fear of Water!

But didn't say he thought it better than his Roller - which is a comment I've read more than once!

You may want to find a local Powerflow Exhaust centre and refer them to this thread for a job done at same cost? Rotten cat flanges and y pieceexhaust sorted

I like Maxxis but really couldn't say how quiet they are in comparison. Had them on my W140. Seem to do the job. I did put two Nexens on the back but not so keen on them. They may wear quicker and no I don't do many burnouts! (any)