hammer008

No engine light or any problems. Will check the gas cap seals or the weather as sk mentioned it is getting a bit chilly here. Just over worried about that rusty gas filler pipe. Thanks folks.

z>It could be a loose wire or the CD player is overheating. What would solve those? >across the disc. Is there anything in the trunk rattling >around that could bump into the player? I had a luggage but on the other side of the trunk. >Do you ever notice any problems with the radio or tape >deck? Never, only when playing the CD. >Does it happen alot or a little? It has happened twice in the last 2 months. >How long do you usually run the CD player before it quits? About 2 to 3 hours. >Are there any other problems with the audio system? Absolutely none. Only the CD player....like when I start the car, I have to turn the CD on and off to get it going in the morning. I suspected condensation on the lens. >Do poor road conditions make it worse? No but I have had skips due to bumps on the highway. >Does it happen more when it is raining or dry? Both times it was fairly dry weather...hot and dry.

While on a rather long trip, I had the CD on for about 3 hours. All of a sudden, the sound goes silent but the display shows it is still playing. When I turned on the volume I just heard pops and hisses. I tried changing to another CD (6 changer) and the same thing happens. I turned on the radio and let the CD rest for a bit....after 5 minutes it plays again...I noticed that this happens once in a while. Anyone have any idea what is going on?

For the longest time, when I opened the gas cap, I can hear some pressure/vacuum...recently, I have not heard any. I am afraid that there may be a leak since the pipe leading to the gas tank is heavilly rusted. I am unable to smell any gas though. 1. Is the lack of gas tank vacuum normal after driving a full tank? 2. Anyone know where I can get a pipe that leads to the gas tank for cheap.

According to the 2004 Toyota Gazette (a Toyota Canada publication that gives some news & advice on products & services for Toyota owners), the new coolant Toyota Super long life coolant (a pink fluid that comes already pre-diluted with a 55/45 mix in a 3.7 litre jug) last much longer than the regular Toyota "long life" (red stuff). It is also fully compatible with earlier Toyota coolant according to the brochure. So your friend is misinformed and WRONG!

You can't mix with red??? Can you "replace" for the red though? Could you clearify this with your friend?

yours says 2004 too???!!!! Holy smolly. That is weird, misleading, and odd. Why in heavens would they put that stamp on the rad 9 or 8 years ago? I was hoping it was new oh well...I will do a flush now. Thanks guys.

I emailed the lady and she simply said she does not know. It seems that her husband took care of the cars maintenance but they are now separated. I am around Jane/Finch area.

I bought the lexus a few months ago with no records from a rich lady who knows little about cars. I was about to change the radiator fluid for the winter but lo and behold it says "2004 Toyota" on the top of the radiator in white letters...does this mean it is a new radiator? It does look new and the fluid looks clean and red. Should I change the fluid still????

I have been using Hazelnut butter $20 from Australia...holy smokes...this stuff made my leather look new !...after 2 applications.

Well, not only did I have it in my armpit, but see I was working on the hard concrete ground so my right arm got chewed up by the concrete while trying to loosen the lines. On top of breaking the skin, the gas actually went into the wound for that "extra stinging sensation." Now that's a bonus....:chairshot: Don't forget to eat some anti-carcinogen foods. That fuel contains some nasty DNA interculators.

Haha. I have never even considered this as a potential problem. I don't see any skunks where I live. :D We have tonnes of skunks near our home at Thousand Islands. I just stepped over a dead one last night...I am not joking.

I am a newbie starting to DIY. I need to buy a good set of tools. Do I need to buy both the metric and the SAE sockets and wrenches to work on my Lexus? Further, what do people thinki about the geared wrenches...are they worth it? thanks.

I used the 3M filter from Walmart along with a charcoal filter for oven vents $5) sandwitched in between. Works great...not a spec of dust. Further, when I drive by a skunk or something smelly, the smell is significantly reduced (charcoal). I made the filter slightly bigger than specs such that it would form a nice seal with the extra filter cloth material. So for about $can20 I have 4 charcoal filters. After about a month I am still very happy and I have yet to sneeze in the car...I have severe pollen allergies. :D

Have you had a chance to review the CDROM? How do you like the CDROM manual?

Found that bleeding brakes helps.

Just wondering if the leather comes of the seats easily...like is there a zipper like sofa cushions? Or do you have to cut the seems?

The rotor has minimum width number written on it. If it is thick enough you can resurface it.

>How many miles on it now ? Right now it has 78k miles on it. >By going in reverse, i just meant that if there was anything really wrong with ?>struts then braking hard would have givin u a bit drastic of a lean/tilt. I tried this today in a parking lot...stopping dramatically after 30km/h...while going backwards the rear end drops down about 7 inches :cries: ...similarly the front drops down about the same but a bit less. Just wondering if yours or other people are getting similar values... Further, I looked at the struts and they look brand new! There is even some fresh paint markers on the springs (yellow at front) and red at back and no rust whatsoever. The tires look like brand new Perellis with those fresh "nipples" everywhere.

Can wheels can also vibrate because of... glazed rotors and wet road?

mine is shaking around alot over bumps but smooth as silk on new roads. I am thinking it may be worn struts.

Holy moly! Thank you.

I pushed down on the car bumpers...both fronts are rock solid. The rear right has a single bounce...which I think is good. The rear left feels softer with a loose single bounce...easy to push down too. :( However, none bounces "up and down". The car is smooth as melted butter on smooth road but I have been noticing that the ride is very harsh going over bumps...like I am being knocked around in the car. :( I thought I was just spoiled by air suspension on my Subaru... Do these symptoms sound like I need new rear struts? I looked at the struts but no leaks. I have no idea when they were changed though. I got the car from a lady who had no clue about cars with 75K miles. ps. Can you explain a bit about braking while going backwards?

thanks for the input. It looks like after riding around town for a bit the height difference is a bit more even. But I am just worried that the lexus is not made for heavy loading. When the car was full (3 friends and 2 coolers), the rear fender was practically touching the tires...Is this normal as well? I guess I have been spoiled by adjusting air suspension on my subaru :P . ...kind of makes you wonder if you should take your friends out...especially if they are overweight.

After a weekend road trip with a fully loaded lexus (2 coolers of beer and sausauges) and 3 friends (450lbs), the rear end of my lexus this morning looks about 1-2 inches lower than the front.:cries: It was level with the front before the trip. Do I need new springs? Is this normal?