SLORICK

Timing Belt discussion two weeks ago in LS400 forum... Use bottom left "Search Topic" box and "Enter Keywords" Timing Belt. 90K Service about $800, different from Timing Belt, Water Pump R&R about $1200. Lot of Labor. See that forum so we dont duplicate info.

Junkyard

Update: 5 Years after original post, I just searched for best tire, and dealer recommended Michelin Primacy MXV4 RadialX with either 97H or 97V Speed Rating, doesnt matter which. I bought 5 225/55R17 for wifes 2002 LS430. Michelin.com website explained Primacy was invented several years ago (3 or 4) for the luxury market as an all wx rain tire. I dont drive in snow, and original poster didnt either. Put your year make model car in Michelin.com search and they will tell you their best tires... they recommended same tire dealer did. Another Poster said, other than tires, biggest factor in Ride Comfort was a 4 wheel allignment every 30K miles. It should go without saying, that if your suspension components are worn, your ride will not feel like a new car: sway bar bushings, lower control arm bushings worn, or uppers, or any other known problem (ball joints) that an inspection can detect. Tire technology continually improves and new tires may have been invented since the last time you bought a pair. Consumer Reports and Digest bothers me because their info is always a year old, and if you take any of their charts to a store to buy stuff, model numbers are newer than what they tested. Its a game manufacturers use, methinks, to stay one step ahead. Grrrrrr.

1990LS400, what is that black base your OXO containers are sitting in? If part of your 00 LS, then you have a better cupholder than my 94 LS. Also, you have a 1inch section between base and armrest that I dont have. Somewhere there is a Lexus Engineer or Designer who is the GURU OF CUPHOLDERS and knows the evolution/history of the model years. Or, some owner at a Lexus Meet could make it his Masters Thesis/Project to photo each model year, compare differences and evolution, write an article, and see if any improvements can be retrofitted into earlier year models. In 16 years, I understand Fast Food Drink Cups grew larger, or supersized a few years after 94 and cupholders changed, and lately the size of soda cans have changed. Mini-Cans now and slightly different sizes to charge you more or give you less for same cost. I just drive slow so the ice cubes dont slosh out of my wine glass here amoung the vineyards of Central California.

Hi Jason, I was 17 once too. So ya wanna race? Do what I do: Take out spare and any other weight, pump air in tires up to max printed on your sidewalls, Then to burnout, shift into neutral, rev to 3,000 rpm and shift into DRIVE. (Dont shift into R for RACE) I psych my oponent out by popping off hubcaps on my 94LS400 to show lug nuts, Use white shoe polish to write some race car numbers on my side and rear windows, and it REALLY freaks others out when I wear my motorcycle helmet inside my car. Careful, if you race, you could hurt yourself, your car, your friend, his monte carlo, or someone in the public...not cool. You could turn your LEXUS into a FORD (Found On Road Dead) if your Timing Belt snaps, you break some gears in the Differential or Transmission. Heck, it would probably cost you $3400 to fix your car, the price you paid for it. Also, if you get a ticket or wreck, your insurance is going to get a LOT more expensive than you think it is now, if your insurance isnt cancelled. You might not be able to get insurance for your lexus, buick or truck. Advice? Clean that Lexus up so it shines, Sell it like you said for $2000 or $3000 profit, then use money for clutch in your truck or to hop up your 65 Buick.

Hey jdavis, if not too late, review todays or this weeks NEW posts. I just posted about my timing belt. $1095 Total, $720 Labor, $375 Parts, inc. $193 Water Pump recommended to do at same time. My 90K Service was $508 Additional, $297 labor, $211 Parts. Lexus Repair Manual showed me procedure, but NOT mentioned there or here is: External Sepentine Drive Belt is being removed and replaced, as are 8 spark plugs. Why not replace them at same time instead of redoing, AND have cylinder compression test reading taken and recorded too for a baseline. Crank & Cam Seals seems extra, but mechanic poster knows more than me.

Best Advice I have read on these Forums about Dash Electrical Problems was: SLAP THE TOP OF THE DASH WITH THE PALM OF YOUR HAND. Fixed my Speedo not working couple of times, and my Tack not registering yesterday. Might work for your lighting. Living with slow fuel guage and slow leak in PS $1000 arm assy, by topping off PS Fluid when it growls. Living with Dead LCD for clock and burnt out backlights for radio. 1994 LS400 135K miles. Retired, Driven Weekly to store for more smokes.

Noted; Thanks Guys.

Hey SmoothDaddyK, the "non-help" WAS trying to help. I see they are old regulars, and I ditto all comments above. My In-Laws lived in Stone Mountain for 40 years, and I visited every Christmas for ten years until they died 5 years ago. They drive crazy in Atlanta, especially on the freeways. I was young and foolish but am now 60. Some advice: I painted my 62Chevy at home in 1972 after an accident. Learned why paying MAACO or Dealer price was worth it. I know you got a $500 car and trying to keep it going. Some have answered your specific question... Google "1990 LS400 wiki" and read: Congratulations, you now own the First Year of the finest luxury car made in the world. Sold for about $35,000 and better than Cadillac. In 1995 they made LS400 larger and added $30,000 to price. Todays Lexus for $100,000? contains New Mellenium electronics that are unbelieveable: GPS, Park Itself, etc. So, ask yourself: You paid $500, if you sink $500 into paint, what ELSE can go wrong next? 5 of the BEST tires for that car cost $1200. ( I just bought some) Just you, or do you have wife and kids in that car? MOST IMPORTANT THING in a car, methinks, is BRAKES to Stop it, because it can always roll downhill without an engine. Luxury Cars have numerous things to drive you crazy...if electric drivers window or seat breaks, expensive compared to window crank or manual seat. If your 1990 LS400 has air shocks, those are expensive too when they go out. My Chevy had timing CHAIN, but I was surprised that jap cars use rubber timing BELT. Expensive 60K or 90K service because big job to change that internal belt and Water Pump too for a lexus. I just paid $1000. You own a "museum" car now, but new paint might sucker you into keeping on spending more... Best reason for new cheap KIA car is that everything is NEW and starts wearing out at the SAME TIME, but with a used car, parts are reaching the end of their life at different rates, SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO GO BAD NEXT...it might be a cheaper battery or altenator, or expensive part that stops you dead in your tracks... grrrrrrr. Pray that an ECU (computer) doesnt go out. OH YEAH: PULL-A-Part...My experience with junkyards is that most cars are there because they were in a front or rear crash, so parts from THAT end of the car are worthless, then you have to find correct color car to match any interior parts. Also, most cars have windows busted out, so rain and snow have destroyed interiors, making seats, etc. harder to find. Good Luck

Welcom BamaGuy, I just did all this research too, and same driving conditions as you. Oxnard Lexus Dealer recommended Michelin Primacy MXV4 225/55R17 RadialX with 97H or V Speed Rating, doesnt matter, for $218 List inc. tire tax and haz waste fee, plus $27 each to mount and balance. ALLIGNMENT 4 Wheel $135 extra. Bought 5 Tires during wife's 90K service on 2002 LS430 on Feb 2, 2010. My 1994 LS400 was a top rated car, and wife's LS430 continues the LEXUS tradition. Wanted the best for her and Michelin.com educates you. Find tire by auto type: that's their best tire for the LS430: All Wx Rain/Performance Tire. Same one Dealer Recommended: Primacy MXV4 It was introduced about 4 years ago. Find Michelin Dealers: COSTCO also sells, and has lifetime rotate, but their cost does NOT include all misc costs I listed above. Another Poster in Tire Forum said other than tire, biggest factor for Ride Comfort was 4 Wheel ALLIGNMENT every 30K miles. Remember, your life and car rides on only four tiny patches of rubber. ALSO, Small Aircraft go airborne at 60 m.p.h. ALSO, One Day, you might meet someone coming towards you on those hills, who drives as crazy as you do. YIKES MODERATER: Could you post also in Tire Forum?

Oxnard Lexus just did wifes 2002 LS430 V8 Timing Belt & Pump during 90K Service on Feb 2, 2010. $1095 Total: $720 Labor, $375 Parts: Water Pump $193, Belt $74, Termo $28, Rad Cap $20; less 20% cupon. Big Job, remove battery, radiator, External Sepentine Drive Belt and accessories as well as Internal Timing Belt and accessories. Both Distributors, 8 spark plugs, crankshaft, fan, both cam pulleys, idlers, tensioners, Water Pump, inspect and replace all CORRECTLY. If Timing Belt breaks, your LEXUS turns into a FORD (Found On Road Dead). Worse than running out of Gas. Engine dies, and you have to pull your car to side of road, and MAY CAUSE A WRECK. Bad for wife, kids and public. Maybe damage valves if they hit tops of pistons (some engines do, some dont) At age 60, I pay Dealer to do it CORRECTLY with OEM Parts. Weekend job turned into 4 weekends when I tried to be a Hero and change wifes Timing Belt on 84 Mazda 626. I got belt ONE TOOTH OFF. Dealer has DEEP POCKETS to stand behind work, and LEXUS too, while Jiffy Lube or Indie would tell me to get lost, and I would be out of luck. Chevy Dealer rebuilt my 76 Corvette L82 engine when kid installed oil filter wrong. Lexus Dealer kid did wifes oil plug wrong, and found drip on garage floor. Oklahoma City Dealer admitted reason, and earned us perks and favored customer status until we moved to California. Now 3 hours from Dealer, so Indie for minor work, but Dealer for Warranty and major 30K, 60K,90K checkups so info gets into Lexus Computer Database and work done right with right parts.

<<What are the "most drinks today" you are buying?>> OK, Funny Guy, , , My cupholder is fixed, so only holds small drinks. Wife has a "variable" grip cup holder with arms in her 2002 LS430, which will hold medium, large cups from 7/11, Fast Food Joints, and Starbucks Frappachino bottles, small and even large, I think. Big Gulps are too Big, but my 1994 LS400 fixed cupholder wont even hold a small Frappachino. I will check with my dealer but closest is 3hours away. Even Lexus Coffee GoCup wont fit my cupholder.

<<Does yours have the standard little "L" logo in each stripe/decal?>> Huh? Dunno, tell me more. What and where am I looking for? Maybe my pinstripes are handpainted, as I suspect previous owner had crash. I bought at 30K miles and was told hood had been repainted.

My First Generation 1994 LS400 Cup Holder too small to hold most drinks today. Wife's 2002 LS430 Cup Holder is better, but doesnt seem like an easy interchange. Any way to retrofit? Any Aftermarket solutions anyone found?

Side Pinstripes had faded in places on my 1994 LS400. Anyway to restore short of having local repaint them? Lexus sell decals? How should I detail to prevent further damage?

How should I clean/detail the insulation pad on my engine hood? 1994 LS400