Howplum

Yet another grey one! Oh dear. I've just noticed the steering wheel isn't straight!

Thanks Stuart, I'll try that. At the moment it's working more often than not, but these things rarely have a habit of fixing themselves!

Thanks for that Stuart, although multimeters are a black art to me, so I may need to enlist help. Short term, I'll just keep it topped up, although long journeys are some way off, I imagine.

My fuel gauge is getting temperamental. Occasionally, when I turn on the ignition, the needle will show very little fuel, and the orange light comes on. However, if I turn the ignition off and then back on again the reading is correct, although it might take 2 or 3 tries. Is this a known issue? I assume it's electrical, but whether it's the gauge, the sender or the instrument cluster board is a mystery. I've read about capacitors giving trouble, but I have no idea what their function is. Can anyone offer any clues please.

Mmmmm. Tempting!

Out of curiosity Phil, how much was the labour charge?

That's very reasonable, considering the number of hours it's supposed to take. Did they change the coolant as well? I've ordered the full Aisin kit from Rock Autos and that will probably cost around £200 by the time it reaches me.

Thank you for the responses. It looks as though it's 3 to 1 in favour of gold so far. Stuart, I did find a similar LED display kit on eBay, albeit with a wireless connection between the sensors and the display: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-Car-Parking-Rear-Reverse-4-Sensors-Kit-Buzzer-Radar-Display-Audio-Alarm/293328865271 Another option is this reversing camera kit with a flush mounted camera, which would be neater, if it fits above the number plate: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Reversing-Rear-View-170-IR-Camera-Parking-Backup-Night-Visions-Waterproof/293607614600

I don't mind them and, as you say Paul, they do suit the car. However, I can't imagine BMW or Mercedes-Benz offering them as an option. Way back in the 60s I had a 1955 Ford Zephyr Zodiac Mk I, which had gold badges as standard, so its not exactly a new idea. I suppose having the wheel badges done in gold as well might be a bit OTT though! As Kenny Everett's Cupid Stunt used to say "It's all in the best possible taste!":

Having passed the MoT test successfully (the car, not me!), I have been wafting around locally, on essential journeys only of course, just to make sure everything works as it should, and that I have not forgotten to put anything back properly, and so far so good. Obviously it's much more comfortable than the daily driver, a BMW 1 series, but it's also quite a bit bigger! This has turned my thoughts to reversing sensors, which seem like a sensible insurance, especially as the bumper has to come off anyway at some point for minor rectification work. Any thoughts? The gold badges have been bothering me, especially the front one (top left), which are starting look their age, so I removed them this afternoon, VERY carefully. Remembering one of the episodes of Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars in which they restored a Volvo 121, they had the boot lid moulding refurbished and chrome painted, and it looked brand new. Anyway, I have found a company, Invicta Spray Chrome, who have quoted £10 per badge, which seems quite reasonable to me. The question is, do I stick with gold to retain originality, but which probably has limited appeal, or have them converted to chrome? The badges on the wheel centres polish up well though.

Mike, This is a link for a 1998 LS400, but please check! https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/lexus,1998,ls400,4.0l+v8,1316123,engine,timing+belt%2C+water+pump+&+component+kit,16088

I've been doing a bit more digging and found that Rock Auto do an Aisin kit which includes a tensioner for £140, although, Import duty, VAT and shipping will be added to that. Bearing in mind that Aisin are an OEM I think that may be the way to go.

Thanks for that clarification Steve, it all makes sense now, although it means that Lexus Parts Direct have the wrong picture on one of their idlers, which is what confused me. For the limited mileage I will be doing I'm tempted to go for the Gates kit.

Having got my project through its first MoT since 2016, my thoughts are turning towards doing the timing belt, which was last done in 2007 by the supplying main dealer, although the car has only covered less than 30,000 miles since then. Neither the water pump or pulleys were changed at that time. The total mileage now is just under 80,000. I'm tempted towards using a genuine belt and water pump, which comes to about £200, but on Lexus Parts Direct's website they also offer two cambelt idlers with different part numbers at about £109 each. The pictures are same though. https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-ls/lexus-ls-phase-ii-1995-2000/lexus-ls-2-engine-service-kits/lexus-ls-phase-2-cam-belt-idler-no-1-4l-petrol/ https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-ls/lexus-ls-phase-ii-1995-2000/lexus-ls-2-engine-service-kits/lexus-ls-phase-2-cam-belt-idler-no-2-4l-petrol/ On the other hand, Autodoc have a Gates kit for £164 which hopefully includes everything I should need. https://www.autodoc.co.uk/gates/13671360 However, this is where I am confused, because the Gates kit includes what I assume to be a tensioner and an idler pulley whereas Lexus Parts Direct's website offers the aforementioned idler pulleys numbered 1 and 2, but no tensioner, albeit with the same pictures. Before sending this I looked at a tutorial online and it looks as though number 1 pulley is an idler whereas number 2 is a tensioner, despite Lexus's terminology. Am I right. Anyway, does anyone have any experience of the Gates kit? From what I've read I understand they are a good make, but first hand experiences would be useful.

Although the speedometer now works, the temperature gauge has now stopped working! It could be an unfortunate electronic coincidence, or maybe I damaged it when I was playing about with the instrument cluster. One step forward and one step back. On the plus side, I have now finished restoring the seats, which have turned out quite well. Before: And after:

When I had my LS400 tested yesterday I asked the garage owner, whom I've known for many years, if he would quote for changing the cambelt, but he declined because it took too long. However, he did kindly offer to come and help me, provided I did most of the dismantling and reassembly. I suppose this proves it is best to use a garage that's done the job before.

I took out the instrument cluster (again!) this afternoon and dismantled it far enough to get access to the rear of the speedometer needle, which turned out to be a sealed unit, so is different to the one I found online. After looking at it for a few minutes and then giving the needle a gentle flick, I put everything back together and reinstalled the cluster. To my surprise the speedometer now works so presumably the gentle flick was all it needed. Obviously I need to use the car frequently to prevent a repetition - as if I need an excuse!

I've found this link, so I'll give it a go: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-1st-and-2nd-gen-1990-2000/225935-how-to-fix-your-speedo-needle-when-it-does-not-work-4.html

Thanks Stuart, that's very useful. I can remove the instrument cluster with no problem, so will try using a cotton bud to clean the needle.

Thank you. Hopefully I can enjoy the fruits of my labours by taking the long way to the supermarket! I musn't rest on my laurels though, there are still plenty of little jobs to do to keep me occupied!

After more research I managed to find the correct paint code for the lower cladding, which is UCA76, Medium Grey Metallic, as opposed to UCA31, Dark Metallic Grey. The panels are now repaired, painted and reinstalled, although the lacquer finish could be shinier. Because it was so warm yesterday I think the paintstarted to dry before it hit the panel, but hopefully they will polish up. As you can see from the photograph I have had new tyres fitted, which was was done prior to having the MoT test this afternoon, and I am pleased to report that it passed, with no advisories. A milestone! However, I noticed that the speedometer is not working, and I assume this might be the common sticking needle syndrome, so will leave it for the moment to see if it frees itself with more frequent use. I'll use the satnav as a precaution, for the time being. I've never had a speeding fine in 55 years of driving, so don't really want one now. My next job, after finding any excuse to use the car, is to finish restoring the seats, and cool cloudy days are best for that.

Also consider Jaguar XJ6/8, S Type V8, Mercedes S class or CL500. Jeep Cherokee and Range Rover. Caveat emptor though.

I had a couple of issues on the sunroof of my LS400, albeit not the same symptoms as yours. I dismantled the switch, which is really quite basic, and it was fine. However, when I replaced the control module correct operations were reinstated.

Oops! I've just noticed yours is an RX300.

Did you consider used ones? There are a few LS400s being dismantled on eBay and tutorials on YouTube. It's a fairly easy and quick job, so even engaging a professional to do the job should be cheaper, I imagine.