Smokybenchod

Update:

Finally got round to changing the coolant as per the forum guide. Got my Indy to do it and he followed the instructions and charged me £28 labour! Top bloke he is. I've had to top it up a couple of time since so would recommended buying 12 litres in total to save a trip back to the stealer. The fan is now blowing hot again so thanks for all the expert advice, really appreciate it.

Next job: dual cat and middle pipe replacement, one for early next year once I've saved a few pennies!

Did you get this resolved? I was out in mine today and suddenly started to get cool air through the vents rather than warm. I had to turn the temp to the late 20s to get warm air through. The force of the air vents also seemed to increase at the same time

Sorry for the delay in replying guys, still away on business! I have managed to call the Lexus dealer though and order 11 liters of the pre-mixed red Toyota Long Life Coolant as advised in the user guide. It's probably going to be a couple of weeks until i get round to this - and will probably get my local Indy to do it as I'm super busy with work at the mo. Will let you know how I get on. Cheers again.

Found this on the forum - it might help.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/35806-engine-coolant-changed-on-99-ls400/

Sounds like there is dirt in front of the car's heater core. Checked your cabin filter yet?

Hi yep already changed this - it was filthy but it has a brand new one installed now :)

I would check the temp gauge and how that behaves...is engine over cooled or is needle about half way or thereabouts? May be as electrical ie sensor fault. However your proposed work won't cost a fortune. Better to do yourself. I wouldn't flush just yet. Maybe temp sensor first. If engine is over cooled then thermostat first.

Thanks for the advice, the needle on the temp gauge is pretty much about half way i.e. normal. So you think change the temperature sensor, is that an easy job, whereabouts is that? OK i well leave flushing for now - the main reason I suggested that is that I researched that air in the system can cause the fan not to blow hot and flushing and refilling can correct this.

Hi there, I'm away on business so can't check if it makes any difference if the air con is ON. I know for certain the issue I'm getting is when the air con is set to OFF as I seldom use the air con. Is this a bigger problem then - is my initial plan still a good idea?

Sorry to clarify I should have stated, to get the fan to blow *hot* I have to put it over 28 degrees. Below this setting it blows luke warm at best. Thanks.

Hi all,

I recently purchased an LS400 mk 3 98 model and I'm really pleased with it - so refined and a pleasure to drive.

I have noticed that to get hot air out of the fan I have to put the setting up to over 28 degrees. Doing some research in this forum and the U.S. owners club forum, I am planning to replace the rad cap, thermostat and do a coolant flush using the procedure described in lexls.com. Does this sound like the correct plan of initial attack, as I'm figuring these things will probably need doing at some point anyway and aren't very expensive items?