Redefined

I've been thinking about the timing belt and attempting myself (do my own servicing and spark plugs - all 6 on the flat 6 Subaru). I wonder if it's doable with a few extra tools investment... 😊 Looks even more tempting now that I have 2 cars to play about with (mechanically). Complex job I'm sure and I'll bet some of the bolts will be nicely seized around there...

Oh... and the springs are described as 'corroding' on an MOT so might see about trying to remove/convert some of that rust, give everything a good wipe down below and... and what... I forget... Oh, yes. An MOT advisory also described the rear body arches/structure as being disturbed but not dangerous. Will try and see if there is anything I can do to strengthen that. Also check if my industrial type Halfords Advanced trolley jack is suitable as a lifter of this giant, and obviously where to lift the centre from as I imagine some enthusiast has been usijg inappropriate lifting methods in the last.

Here we go. One of the only pics I managed to get a screenshot for as its been taken down now (deposit paid by me). Still unsure as to whether it has the coil suspension or air. The seller seemed to think it was on factory hydraulic/springs but afterwards I've realised that it had thw button for the snow mode etc. If this is the one that drops or raises the suspension then it's probably gonna be air... So, a list of things needing doing soon after I pick it up (in order of priority). 1. Check the timing belt and change if needed (on 75000 miles but if it's the original belt then it is 20 years old!!). 2. Sort out the radiator upgrade from the lexus parts direct guy (who doesn't really answer messages via ebay so not sure how that purchase will go down). 3. Check and renew all the oils if they need doing. The cabin filter will definitely have a change and also the air filter despite having been serviced whenever it last was. 4. New/used Toyota wheels with hopefully tires included. I really hate the look of these standard rims and think a swap of wheels will really make a massive difference to bring it past the 90s look 😄. Maybe some ex Toyota used rims from ebay... 5. The double glazing in the rear O/S and front N/S is showing signs of leakage/condensation. So figuring out what to do here will be a priority though not top... 6. Should be at the top I suppose, but a good valet and wash in order before I bring it home for the family to scrutinise - who on earth buys a 21 year old car and smiles about it..

Thanks Malc. Yes, it looked in good nick for the age too. Couldn't see any rust and the slight marks and scratches were nothing to write home about. Air con was cold and the steering adjust motor seemed to be on the way out (or just an electrical connection). Didn't waste too much time and it drove lovely. Slight jerk on putting into reverse but I'll see how it goes. Left the chap a deposit. Was straight talking russian chap that's been selling high powered cars for some time. Straight talking and no BS like yesterday (I left my satnav Quadlock mount there and after acknowledging he has it, ignoring my calls thereafter... lost my car keys too which he said he'd check the car for but ignoring my calls now 😊). But dirty inside and some of the manual mechanics don't seem to be working but I'll live with that... £200 deposit left... collect on Monday hopefully 😊

Thanks Mark. Fn51 Usg

Hi all. I'm going to look at a car in which the MOT history states, 'front coil springs corroded' as advisory. Am I safe to assume this might mean that the car is on standard hydraulic suspension, at least upfront... Or is it more likely the MOT tester got his/her words mixed up. I cant imagine the air struts having room for coil fitment you see. This here diagram seems to suggest that it's one or the other regatds the actual springs

Yes. That's definitely true and I was expecting lots of little niggles. I think what did it for me was the blatant lying to get me to the forecourt in the first place. Don't get me wrong, usually I'd have just bought it buy with his unapologetic attitude when I pulled him about his ebay listing... Something in my brain just triggered to say no. Might have been the stench of cigarette smoke from the warm air-con. Definitely still want a V8 but might save up a little more and ensure I just go private. Maybe up my budget to 4k once I've saved it up 😄

NB. The hydrocarbon test (done myself with home-kit) came back negative. But these can sometimes throw off false negatives apparently during the early stages. I didn't bother investing in a pressure testing kit as all the signs just kept pointing to HG. No (apparent) coolant in the oil (yet!?) and I've not removed all the spark plugs to see if one or 2 are much cleaner than the others (apparently the coolant leaking at the cylinder heads means everything gets/looks washed and cleaned... Thanks again...

Thanks @EP80 and funny you mention the radiator. I've been trying to find the leak and the way the bubbles were coming out (with almost the mayonnaise type symptoms) I'd concluded it was headgaskets too. Especially after I spoke to the engine specialist and he also pointed out the same and said it was obvious from what he could see. The heating inside the car has stopped blowing out hot on the passenger side and I've definitely clogged something in the rad (can be visibly seen) from the steel-seal type stuff. It also sounds like I'm getting on the verge of a misfire now but again that might be my silly use of the sealant. Back to the radiator as well as hoses... I'd definitely thought about them and even replaced one of them underneath (going to the thermostat). Might see if I can do what you're suggesting as I do know the amount of rust on some of them metal pipes was/is pretty epic. Regards the Lexus... I'd probably not have minded if he was a bit more upfront or at least didn't act as if he didn't know of the rust at that point. My first proper luxury car (Carina e2 in 1.8 or 1.6) died a rusty death. Remained so smooth even at the point it failed on rust going through the petrol tank. Thanks again and I'll see what I can find at OUparts (sounds like that... the place that does all original parts at trade prices)...

Hello all... Just a quick update... Had the insurance starting for the Lexus today and I also needed that amount of time to ensure I've put in a few shifts to be able to pay for it. The dealer seemed genuine enough and the fact that he'd told me about the air suspension already was a good or bad thing. Ebay ad stated 'amazing, no rust' and not too much else. Can't think why I assumed it was a 1 owner from new... Anyway, so today, me and the 8 year grabbed the train to go fetch the car on which I'd popped a £350 deposit prior. For some reason the chap (selling Bentleys on the forecourt) had decided to come to the train station to get me. I was hoping I'd be able to see the car from cold and warmed up. I just out this down to the chap being super nice and whilst awaiting him to return to the garage/collect me I sent across the rest of the money. Some people might not agree with this but it's a £70k car which I was getting at £2k with FMDSH. I definitely didn't want to look like 'a bit of a scratter' nor did I plan to lowball anymore. We had agreed £2150 and I was gonna stick to it. Drove it (already warmed from him) and what an amazing feel. Didn't try to thrash it as it didn't feel like it's made for that. Got back to the garage, paid the money (I had planned to kick the tires for a laff) after looking at the engine. With all the covers on, you can't see much anyway. Asked the guy about the black steering fluid and he tells me that's normal. I obviously never argued with him. Got back with all the papers to drive off and turned on the air-con. Hot/warm and not getting cold. No probs, maybe a regas and afterall I've only paid £2k. Definitely did not want to go back and start a bit of an altercation. Get ready to drive off and the front left light seemed to be showing me something. It something about adaptive cruise or radar. I forget which so I went and had a look at the left light to which the dash panel referred. Noted the headlights again that were dull as anything (but the ebay ad showed them being lovely and clear). No probs, I'm sure I could buff it out and reseal them. Then I spotted the rust at the NS wing mirror. Still felt a bit shy after getting (seemingly) a bargain and mentioned it to my 8 year old. He agreed that we should say something so when the chap walked out again I mentioned it. Especially that he'd specifically written in the ebay listing 'amazing, no rust' and when we spoke about rust during the drive/payment he mentioned how amazing and rust free it was underneath. Not sure if he was supposing that I was trying to get money knocked off but (politely) mentioned that he couldn't believe this and that it was 'just a bit of surface rust'. So he said, 'I'll give you back your money' and I snapped at the offer. £140 in train/bus fees (return) and some insurance loss. But feel glad I didn't take it. Though the engine purred and felt super lovely! All sorts of other body work damage aswell but I tried to not dwell on it. Thwy were only minor cosmetics with one being a tiny bump... V8 might have to wait another day 😄 Back to my broken headgasket and returning the reservoir coolant to the radiator after a long (spirited) run...

Hi all... Firstly, I have dyslexia and specifically organisational difficulties. I appreciate that we try our best not to rip anyone off here and hence don't chase up forged/copied manuals. As such I've gone on the Lexus-tech-eu website to try and chase down the factory repair manual for the LS430. Found the LS430 and then paid the hour subscription fee... After that it was all just 'chasing my tail'. I know it was only £4 but it appears to have gone down the drain. A few screenshots I took.. Any advice on how they expect us to access the tech docs would be greatly appreciated. I wnded up having to put in what I was after and clicking repair manual (so I typed 'suspension') but it returned as '0 results'. Thanks...

Thanks Malc.

Interesting how much they want us to pay for access to repair manuals. Or have I missed a portion of the site. not sure if I could afford £2900 to get access to thw manual indefinitely 🙂

Thanks folks. Great link that and I will look into that oil cooler. Apparently it's got about 300 invoices with it so maybe something that's already done... Will update later once collected and driven a few hundred/thousand miles... 😊

A few years I've been on this forum I think. Always thought the LS600H would be the one for me, despite it being out of the price range. Recently after someone posted something about the Car Care Nut and me watching his channel. I realised the LS430 is probably the one I want/need (delete as appropriate). Then the head gasket on the Subaru Legacy SpecB 6 cylinder started playing up. Only at 131000 miles and looks well looked after and maintained. Not sure if it's thw maim dealers not having done coolant services properly/timely even though they've been stamping the book every year for the previous, but one, last owner. Needed something quick and really wasn't surw about losing my wagon type space. Especially since I can sleep in the back and the road and mountain bikes fit in nicely. But I needed a cheap car quickly as I'm currently reinjecting the coolant that hasn't returned to the radiator, by hand after a long drive (in the Subaru). Not sure if my target of hitting 200k in a H6 engine was too far fetched as I've yet to get past the 181k marker (in 4 cars ownership with that engine, over the past 4 or 5 years! Then this happened... Deposit paid, just need to to collect... Happy face goes here... Still a bit nervous about the whole swap and snow driving. Especially since that's when I'm busiest with work (long distance ICU nurse covering last minute shifts and get paid a bit of mileage). But seems nice enough for a 19 year old car. Maybe the boot I'm losing in the Subaru Legacy won't be missed once I feel the comfort of these seats. Or maybe I should dive in and get the head gasket done on it (though it feels like a massive can of worms). Currently on 111k and only 1 niggle I've been told of (suspension sagging after parked for a week but comes roght back up once started). So maybe this will finally get me past my 200k mile mark. In case anyone wonders how I'd manage to cover shifts in a 4.3L... I often think that too... But, it's a V8 😉 and I do try to cover journeys of less than 40 miles on my push bike... May God make this a long, happy and easy relationship. Currently wondering how I'd get bluetooth setup on the Mark Lev as it's a 2000 plate. Might have to just got and get a Parrot device fitted up to the stereos. Lots more questions coming once I've done a few miles with it. For the moment though, I'll leave you with... Where'd we get a main dealer repair manual purchased for one these lovelies??...

Well done. That's really nice and one I've been keeping my eye on (the model that is... not actually yours). Hope it brings you many years of joy mate.

So glad you said that Aviator. Every so often when the posh folk get their finger out their ears and review a luxury lexus they always like to put em down for whatever reason. Becomes really annoying but sometimes makes you wonder. Hope you manage to make do with the Volvo and hopefully you'll be back with a big Lexus again soon. All the best...

Thanks for that. May we ask (cos I know most people are interested) how long was the ownership and what did you swap it for. Thanks.

Oh... and interesting seeing the ls460 comments and good reminder to myself of why to definitely try and avoid (aside from the high fuel costs as I drive on average 500 miles per week minimal). GS450H just seems like too much of a liability and the reports of handling seem a bit poor with some of the pistonhead type folks. Fuel economy seems amazing though. Another thing I hope for on an LS600H is one that's already had much of the suspension issues having been and repaired. Good reason to go for one of the 200k milers but could become a little bit of a gamble if not careful. Especially since prices have suddenly shot up from average £8k straight up to 12k for the 2010/2008 models... 🤪

Thanks Malc and Roy. Basically I think when I first asked about Lexus and joined the forum I needed something nice, reliable and cheap. Ended up going for another Subaru Outback (6 cylinder normally aspirated) in estate version for only 1500£. It was a neglected farmers car (though I'm not sure if the farmer was neglected, just the car) on an indy forecourt in Stoke. Must have been having trouble selling it so I managed to strike a deal. Though I've been enjoying it and it's beautiful handling and the fact that my bikes just slide straight into the boot with the seats down. I'm constantly looking at the LS600H in the Autotrader 😄. Only thing that stops me is the prices and the fact that I wouldn't be able to leave the bike in there whilst I did a shift (travelling agency nurse) and then come back for a ride post-work. Lovely things are these LS600h aren't they and the fact that it's AWD ticks the 'winter shift away from home in a sudden snowfall' for me. Currently told the missus that I'm gonna start saving up for one again and the budget has gone a little higher than my usual £2000 (+/- £500) target. Anyway, watch this space and I do hope Lexus have a diehard Youtube mechanic like MrSubaru. I imagine they won't be too hard to work on (don't trust mechanics too much but use em when I find a decent priced one that doesn't do stupid things with my cars!) but am not looking forward to figuring out the braking system and how it charges upon braking etc... The trusty Outback is on 162000 now of which 55000 have been with me. So hopefully once I get past the 200k marker I can seriously start hoping that the 2012 and 2013 models are a little cheaper to bring into my budget (and I might just have saved enough). Sorry for sounding like a bit of a low-spender... I'm not and alot goes on the bikes with the rest in enjoying life and helping others do the same 🙂 Thanks again folks and it's always a pleasure popping by. I really just check the 'how to' section and get myself a paid account (for the Halfords car parts discount 🤗

Roy... I finally learnt how to give a 'thanks' via the bottom R corner... 😊

Thanks Herbie... I shall indeed try that

I have exactly the same button but mine is not actually Lexus (sorry) even though reports on this forum suggest its the same family. It's my newly purchased MY05 Outback (3.0L 6 cylinder) and have been experimenting with said button. From said experimentation it seems as though it does a few things but the most important of them all is, to annoy me. 1. Seems like it beeps when temps are going down. 2. Seems like it beeps when I'm too close to the car in front when parking up and if I don't acknowedge that said button knows better than me, the bleeping gets more aggressive and annoying. 3. When I turn the car on from cold it keeps beeping if I drive off immediately but seems to reduce said beeping when the temps have gotten to acceptable range in the dash board. 4. Just beeps randomly when none of the above are relevant... so I try and keep it in the off position as it was probably most of its life. . Looking forward to hwaring what dealers say. My inkling says that they won't have a clue

This reminds me of the time my Subaru Legacy (apparently its part of the Toyota group according to reports on LexusOwnersClub ! 😊 ) had a problem with the key fob not working. I tried everything and in the end went to Subaru. Ended up charging me around £90 for a new inner for my key. When I got it back home and checked it over once again I realised it was when I'd swapped out batteries. I had ended up putting in the battery the wrong way and in my frustration never thought to check that during my fsult finding mission. Dealers must have had a right laff as they would have seen the battery inserted the wrong way round when they opened it up. They didn't think to tell me though during charging me for my new innards and the fob they'd 'repaired'...

@RgrWynne been with my Legacy SpecB tourer for past 3 years and clocked up 60000 miles (slight misfire meant its being replaced early with just short or 10500 miles before its 200k birthday/mileage anniversary)... @royoftherovers Subaru... really part of the Lexus group. Wow. That might explain why my outback feels silky smooth at 109000 miles just like its H6 engineded predecessor at 189200 miles (thanks again)