ArmyofOne
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Posts posted by ArmyofOne
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For the Record, JPI reccomends you NEVER flush ANY Lexus Transmission or Transaxle. Only drain and fills.
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Hi all. My 98 GS300 is excellent. Today at the car wash I noticed some rust bubbling on the leading edge of my roofline where it meets the windshield. My heart sunk :cries: . The bubbling means that there is some moisture trapped beneath the roofline. How did it get there, and once I get the repair done, how do I prevent it in the future? I had a similar problem with a SAAB and it really messed up the sunroof too. (is it me???). Now what?
Any input or information would be appreciated.
a 98 should have a liftime warranty (or at least a good length one, 10 years or so) against corrosion...take it to your dealer...
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GM's Saab recalls 400,000 cars over engine flaw
AFX News Limited - January 28, 2005
Motor Trend
General Motor Corp's Swedish subsidiary Saab Automobile AB said it is recalling up to 400,000 of its 9-5 and 9-3 cars worldwide due to an engine design flaw.
The company said the flaw could lead to a rapid deterioration of oil quality and damage turbo-charged engines.
"As many as 400,000 cars may be affected worldwide," Saab spokesman Oerjan Aaslund said, refusing to reveal how much money the company would be forced to spend on the repairs.
The company said it will issue an 8-year retroactive engine guarantee for its 1998 to 2000 9-5 models and its 2000 to 2003 9-3 models.
"The guarantee means that customers who have been affected by motor problems due to oil sludge will receive full financial compensation," Saab said in a statement, pointing out that the purchaser of a vehicle in 1998 would still have a valid guarantee through 2006.
The car manufacturer said that about 4 pct of the 95,000 cars equipped with the engines in question circulating in Sweden appeared to have experienced problems.
"Sweden has been more affected than many other markets... mainly due to the fact that it is colder here and it takes longer for the engines to warm up," Aaslund said.
Copyright 2005. AFX News Ltd
That sucks, my concorde is said to hav this issue too, but i have Mobil1 Super Syn (soon to be valvoline Max life synth) and a rigorous 5,000 mile schedule...I am ok, i pull the pan once or twice a year and check everything anyways.
Chalk one up for domestics!!!
Notice ford never has had this issue...but they have had a whole slew of others. PM me if you want the details on those...like why so many 3.0L Duratech V6's (mazda6, jag Xtype, escape, freestyle, 500, taurus, Lincoln LS and a few other models) are extremely prone to spinning rod bearings on #'s 1, 4, and 5 cyliners.
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who said you had to repaint? do what i suggested, it will take you 20 mins...max.
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yeah thats great advice by Daffy
what you need to do, is sand the rust spot down to a smooth and level situation.
then buy a can of rust sealant.........and apply it to the area.......what that will do, essentially is stop the rust from spreading, and actaully seal the small rust spot in.
after the rust sealer dries go over it with some matching Lexus touch up paint, build it up in layers (at least 3) letting it dry in between applicatons, then take some fine grit sand paper start with 1500 then end with 2K grit paper to level off and blend the touchup paint, in VERY light and even lateral strokes.
after that clean the debris away, then use a good hand applicable scratch remover to remove the light sanding marks, follow with a sealant, and kiss the problem goodbye
easier way. i did this on my contour:
Sand spot to metal with dremel rotary tool. BE CAREFUL. do not exceed much beyond 1mm past the blemish, then, dab with rubbing achohol on a q-tip and apply touch up paint in layers as described above. problem will never recur, the rust isint just sealed up, its gone completely.
on my contour, the rust was on the bottom corners of the rear doors.
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I keep saying this
external tranny filter ,i posted info previously to install in 10 minutes and for $50 it gave me my tranny back after it slowly over 3 weeks cleaned my valve body of debris which clogged ti, my cousin who runs a tranny shop half a football feild deep said it wouldn;t work but i always belive in trying things.
He still doesn't belive it is fixed, if only i had put it in before i had problems
where do you get external tranny filters and where do you mount it?
sorry to bring up an old thread, but did you ever fix this?? there is something called a Kick-Down cable that comes loose and needs adjustmetn every so often. ic ant tell you much othert than that. PM JPI, he should be able to help.
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Conclusion
Well, I just picked up my car and it runs smooth as ever now :D :D. Quiet, smooth, normal exhaust smell, power...it's all good, it runs like a Lexus again!
Diagnosis: LH ignition coil was totally dead. Also, a few vacuum lines were broken and one fitting was broken. I broke the fitting a while ago and ghetto rigged it to work.... The tech had to repair the vacuum lines and fitting first, then diagnosed the coil to be dead.
coils? sounds like..Good job jzz30!
I took a quick look under the hood and the fitting is like new again, incredible! This was a tough problem and the guy that worked on my car was really good.
The total damage was $307....it would have been more but the guy that called me messed up with his estimate a bit so he took off some labor costs. Got a free car wash coupon too and my car is in desperate need of one, that's worth ten bucks. Anyway, I think this was a pretty good deal considering it was a tough problem to diagnose.
Once it warms up here and I can work on my car again I'll probably replace the RH coil just as a preventive measure. Caps and rotors have been on my to do list for a while and those will get done too, I already have those parts.
Thanks to all that helped with ideas, you guys are great, one of you was even right! B)
ah, well, cant win em all... :D
however, i would liek to point out had you rove it very long/far with the coil out, it would have plugged at least 1 cat, maybe all. it was running wayy rich, since only 1 bank of cylinders was firing, the other 4 were totally dead, yet still getting fuel.
ok ok, you are right, im trying to justify my loss. LOL.
Glad you fixed it. and while logic would dictate that you would replace the other coil soon, i wouldnt unless it goes too. Coils are one of those things, they either work or not. so replacing it wont nessecarily help keep you out of trouble, if its working, my reccomendation is to leave it alone until it goes... Ignition systems are finicky creatures. everything has to be right, from the timing to the spark.
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I tried searching for the topic and couldnt find it, so I apologize for the repeated tpoic as Im sure it's been discussed alot. Anyways Is there a way to fix this issue? I have a 92 and the front right headlight has water in it. It still works and lights up but kinda bug. The tail light has a tiny bit to. It leads to fogging and water drops on the inside. Thanks. I was thinking of putting a blowdryer to it :P
try dumping a small but of rubbing alchohol into the hosuing (remvoe the bulb. pour in hole) and let it sit overnight...
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hello ive used plug wires from kingsbourne technology, i think its available on e bay for 79 a set seller is jaggraveyard.com , but ive got mine direct from kingsbourne in sandiego, they make high quality plug wires for euro cars
nology is good...
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nice find army
so how much money have you spent total (parts/labor) on that thing so far?
i rounded up allmy invoices:
~350 for the Driveaxles Parts and labor (parts aftermarket, labor only ran $275 )
$340 for brakes
rack and pinion will run:$1,162.98
Misclaneous other stuff: $75
$1927.98 so far.
and the car is at JP Importz for the week. Dont forget my stickers jason!
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Take all this free advice..starting with the cap and rotor......sure wish I had gotten same..I spent $625.00 on installing all 3 cats on my 1992 SC400..IT still runs like yours...
when the cats go, you cant just replace them, o2 sensors and other things have to be replaced too, usually.
as for the above issue, have you tried disconnecting the battery to let the ecu reset?
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Well, I can relate with you a bit. I too lost a family member due to a crash on Interstate 81. My dads 1st cousin's daughter was killed about 6 or 7 years ago at the extreme south end of I-81 (northbound lane), just past where it interchanges with I-40, just east of Knoxville. She was only 19 years old and went to college in Knoxville (University of Tennessee if I recall) and she and her friends were heading back home here- which was about an hours drive. Some crazed driver sideswiped (cut them short) them going around 90mph- he kept going and was never found. They lost control and the car flipped time after time. There were four girls in the car (all wearing seat belts) and she was the only fatal injured, but the other girls had some severe problems for a while. Also, another cousin of my fathers on the other side of his family also had a bad crash on I-81 about 11-12 years ago. She too lost control and flipped. She had to go through years of therapy and for a while it looked grim. They thought she was not going to live, but she has made remarkable progress thank God. As with all freeways, I-81 is dangerous. I have seen several deadly crashes. I am suprised there are not more in our area of the interstate as it goes around the city, because of the increasing growth of the area and the addition of 6-lanes, people drive faster and faster. Just today I was on I-81 (northeast TN) and saw some crazy driving. It can be scary at times and you have to always be on guard. It is very sad when someone loses their life on the interstates due to someones carelessness- being in a gigantic hurry.
About the car- I was also going to tell her that. I did tell her that I thought the car would last her for a very long time. That car had a super powertrain. I would not mind finding another one of these days. Yes, I do really miss it. I did not really did not think I would miss it until it was gone. Actually, the moment I delivered it to her, I started the regrets. Honestly, on the drive over there- I knew it would be the last- I was not wanting to let it go.... Sounds silly, but cars seem to grow on some people, even though they can be replaced, with another of the same model, but I guess it is just the memories. Especially if you have had a car for a lot of years, I say it would be even worse for some. I have missed about all of the cars I have owned and sold, but after a while, you do not think about them as much. Still some I remember, even though I sold them several years ago. :)
Thanks for the kind words 90. Yeah, it is something you never forget but just have to live with. My father was on I-81 heading north and someone heading south lost control and jumped a 20 ft medium and landed on the hood of his car. He never knew what hit him.Glad to hear your 90 will still be operative. If she plans to drive it until the wheels fall off she may have a problem. Wheels don't seem to fall off an LS. I'll bet you still miss the car in many ways. If you are anything like me you get just as attached to your cars as you do to your pets.
my condolences and prayers VBdenny.
i know exactly how tough it is to lose someone close in a car accident, and i hated it. i hated the person that caused it. but i forgave them.
people do not understand the effects a car wreck has on the human body. when you are doing 20 and you collide with an object thats stationary, even at that low of a speed, tremendous stress is put on the body. thats why i hate seening people driving like idiots when they are ont eh strrets (parking lots and tracks are one thing, a neighborhood or freeway is another). i had an airbag blow up in my face, and it changed my entire outlook on how i drove. it also changed my outlook on life. many many people, sadly, will not understnad it, until an airbag blows up in their face.
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I MUST be from the old school then because I knew what a Bendix was. I was suprized you had not heard that Sk.
When it's cold, the starter tends to hang engaged for awhile on my Lexus before disengaging. I don't like it, not at all.
yeah i dont liek that either, becuase if it doesnt fire the first time, you cant immediately re crank...have to wait a few seconds...
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Hey Blake, man I gotta say your car is waxed to the hilt. I ssee what you mean about the way the sun hits it. The statement made about it raising your insurance isn't true as it is a equipment infraction not a moving violation. I am not much in favor of heavy tints because A) I think they give your car a little too much of an urban look, and B) I think they are very dangerous for police officers. I sure would not want to be a cop and have to walk up to a car with blacked out windows. The job they do is dangerous enough without tints.
Hopefully sooner or later someone will come up with a method to have your cars windows tint down to 2% when parked and then up to a respectable level when running.
I am not even sure how they tint windows but I believe it is some kind of film applied to the inside of windows that can scratch.
you are correct VBDenny. the film is applied to the inside of thje glas, and it does scratch rather easily.
and i dont think his car is waxed much, hios paint isnt really in all that great of shape on that side either, the passeger side has all new paint though, due to the accident...
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How in the world could my timing belt jump a tooth! The car was perfect before my vactation, not used, and then developed this problem.
It's been sitting there and was perfect before your vacation, but for you to be able to determine that there was a problem, you had to start the car right? A bad timing belt tensioner could lead to a timing belt skipping or tooth. I'm not saying that this is your situation but there's always that chance.
Hey Army, how are you SO sure his cats are gone? Even if he has what you call the "china cat" syndrome, don't you think it's important that he figures out why his car is running so rich that it overheated his cats? It would be a bttch to burn up new cats.
i have seen this many many many many times, mor etimes than i have fingers and toes, and every time it was clogged cats.
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nice find army
so how much money have you spent total (parts/labor) on that thing so far?
i rounded up allmy invoices:
~350 for the Driveaxles Parts and labor (parts aftermarket, labor only ran $275 )
$340 for brakes
rack and pinion will run:$1,162.98
Misclaneous other stuff: $75
$1927.98 so far.
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if you are running rich you are going to overheat the cats which will cause them to smell and smoke
they are clogged, make no mistake.
and a catback system wont help. LOL. its his cat thats clogged. where ar eyou located? ill talk to my guy and see what i can do about getting you one/two discounted...PM me.
also, check here:
www.newlexusparts.com
www.discounttoyotaparts.com
they are msot definately clogged. i would say you have what is known as the "china cat" syndrome, the car has been running rich for a long time, the material inside the catalytic converter (the honeycomb brick if you will) is breaking down. look at your tailpipes, do they have little pieces of charcaol looking stiff in them> thats definately what it is if so, but depedning on the system, these chunks dont make it all the way out, instead they sit, usually at a bend in the exhaust, and collect, until they clog the exhaust.
try starting the car, and unscrewing the oil cap. if you get excess pressure, thats probaby what it is. unscreing the oil cap really si the only way to releaive excess pressure inside the engine without creating a mess. it may slosh a little oil at you though. although i drove 10 miles with my cap off one time...didnt spil a drop.
whatever you do, avoind driving the car, if the cats are clogged, and you drive them that way, you can get backfiring if the pressure builds enough. and thats not good, ESPECIALLY on an engine with EFI.
a custom bent, true dual at an exhast shop could run you as little as $350, not including the mufflers and cats.
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A perfect not guilty verdict would be to have an expert witness roster
composed of the person who installed it
a person with a tint measuring meter with photograpghed results preferable in front of a legal witness like a lawyer
a second one with someone else would also guarntee it
but you would have to make this happen asap and prove it is the same tint that was on that night
the easiest thing to disprove the cop is that no company makes 11% tint
so you would need a signed letter on company letter head from a few local tint places stating that
thats what i told him, there is no such thing as 11%. the only way to get it is to tint over factory, or double layer the film (not adviseable)
blake, when you come back to ft. worth to see me again, ihave a friend who does window tint, has his own shop and everything (i was handing cardsout at the meet). he will do your tint 20% front and 5% rear. then you can say the car was tinted out of state...and prove it.
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Personally I am very happy with Blizzaks on our 00 LS - makes it get around like an SUV - a small price to pay for 3 months. Keep the pressure near the minimum (30 psi) for comfort and best handling and do not exceed 70 mph.
In Aspen answering on a Dell Axim wireless PDA...
i had Nokian Hakkapalita (studded vrsion) on my contour fro 4 years when i lived in alaska, never gave me any issues at all. excellent dry wet and even ice handling.
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But thats what you're missing, Chinese plants have a lot of the same quality characteristics because their society is similar to Japan's. Japanese products have the quality they do because of the personal worth their workers put into each product they make. A misaligned panel is personal and family disgrace. Consequentially thats why we're so bad at building cars, we do it to make money. As Japan gets more and more individualistic and capitalistic their quality control has waned. China is a heavily collectivist country and I'd expect they run a really tight factory.
Be more afraid of Lexus building cars in Texas than China.
[country song]"All my Lexus' live in Texas"... :whistles: [/country]
LOL, sorry. seriously, i never knew they would be so good at biuilding stuff, howcome stuff from china always comes off ascheap? i have alot of things from china that have broken and if this is the case, there are alot of disgraced people and family names in china from my household alone LOL. but i guess it has something to do with their morals or whatever..
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my friends eclips did this same thing and it turned out to be a bad EGR valve.
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I drove to Toyota of Irving today, and recieved this when i got there:
on the way home, i stopped at TurnTech Suspension and Handling Systems (local shop, new), and picked up these:
New Tie Rod Ends at a cost of only $17.99 a piece. they have a lifetime warranty.
Much thanks to Giovanni (El Gato) for helping to make this possible. the reality of it was, that money was so tight, i didnt see myself being able to keep the car too much longer, it was costing me way too much money. but with the help of him and a close friend, i got the parts i need at a fantastic price. I acually walked out the door having paid less than the promised price of $505 for everything:
total bill for all except 1 Ball joint (had to wait till tomorrow) comes to $437.72. not bad eh?
oh and, check the new sig!
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Why not try and find how much she's worth as is...........and then find another 93-95 LS.
You may be able to just get another nice LS for 1-2k difference and no hassles with changing out the engine and all that.........
I think if you drop another engine in yours it will open a big can of worms ($$$$$) to deal with.
engine rebuilds are nto easy, by any means, btu they are overrated. in my opinion, they arent as difficult as some mechanics make them out to be. the hardest part i woudl say, is putting it all back together. and with a few manuals and a person or 2 who have done it before, you shoudl be able to do it yourself for under 1G.
an engine instaqll here will run between 800-1500 depending on who you use, its nto that difficult to take a motor out and put another one in. if you knwowhat you are doing, and have the toold, it can be done in less than a day.
however, maybe not with a LS400 V8, those are BIG motors.
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Ok my car starts perfectly now but has developed an even worse problem. It barely accelerates now and it's seriously drinking gas. I can smell it too, it's an extremely rich fuel mix. It kind of sounds like something is blocking the path of the exhaust, it's got a low pitched rumble sound to it and lot's of white smoke comes out. I really hope you guys can help me figure this out.
The only thing I can think of is something burned out, maybe a fuse. When my battery was charged the guy that helped me flipped the 'boost' switch on his charger...maybe that did something. Tried checking the codes and nothing came up. Reset the ECU and that seemed to help, but then the problems came back.
I'm sooo confused
unless I can figure this out soon I may have to bring it in, not much time.clogged/plugged catalytic converter(s)...also could be a head gasket.
unless I can figure this out soon I may have to bring it in, not much time.
Good Repair Shops In Austin, Texas
in 93 - 05 Lexus GS300 / GS400 / GS430
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JPI is a great place to get your work done. he is doing most of the work on my ES250, and it wont be long before she points straight and true. (rack and pinion finally went). i drive 80 miles round trip to have my car serviced there. he is doing well over $2,000 worth of work (IMO), and the total should come in at just over $1,000. but ill take a $900 something dollar savings any day!
Let it be known i HIGHLY reccomend JP Importz. Blake918 will say the same. he drove 400 miles ONE WAY to have his car serviced there.
He gives you a free loaner car, all that he asks is that yuou return it to him with a full tank of gas, and that camry he has gets like 34MPG...
not a bad deal if you ask me. B)