JPI

You brought up a good point. If he decided to use our compressor but refused to replace the expansion valve and drier. I wouldn't perform the repair! I would kindly suggest my client to wait until he has save enough money. I did invite him to come in the shop so I can clearly explaint to him how the A/C system works. We did put a note on the ticket and have him signed. I told him " It won't last long and I was right." We will do our best to save our client. But when it comes to A/C work, You can't take any short cut. We have many clients brought in aftermarket parts for us to install: Turbo, supercharger, suspension components etc. If something come up, the client have their seller take care of it. We take pictures all of the repair that we do. Well except Oil change :). If something does happen, we can go back to those pictures. We received many positive feedback when we spend pictures to your client. They love it!! So you are right. It would go case by case. JPI hehehe.... We have quite a few of them here at our shop also. JPI

Hey Guys, I'm sorry if I offended anyone in here. But We had many many issues with clients bring in their own parts. Well if the repair goes well then we don't have a single problem. Now if the part fail in 6 months, We would get a very friendly call :) from our clients. Here is a paintful example that we had last summer. Vehicle: 2000 Gs300 with 82k miles Problem: A/C is inop Low side reading 29 psi and High side reading 29 psi. A/C compressor shaft is damaged. So the A/C compressor, expansion valve and drier need to be place. We called the client up and explaint to him what happen to the vehicle. He would then starting to question, Why would we need to replace the expansion valve and the drier when the compressor fail. I told him " Sir, Once the A/C compressor damaged. It would send all of that trash to the expansion valve. If we don't replace it at this time. You will have the same problem in a couple of months". His answer " Nope, just replace the compressor". We get another call from him about 10 minutes later. He is going to provide the parts. Ok...That is fine with me. The compressor was purchase from a Local lexus dealership. We replaced the unit. Flush the system and charged it up. Low side is 35 psi and High side is 129 psi(BTW, The temp was around 75 degree that day). System holds vaccum test no leaks. when he picked up the vehicle. I said down with him to explaint for the warranty that we offer through our shop. In this case, it wouldn't apply for him. Made him signed on dot, He totally understand that we discussed that day. Three months later I would get a call from him. Stating that the A/C doesn't work again. Ok..." Sir, We would be happy to take a look at it". Car came in, hooked up the A/C check the reading. Uhh... Same problem we had a couple months back. I personally called him back to break the news. He wasn't happy.....and Lexus wouldn't warranty the compressor. So this time around, He is replacing all the parts that we suggested: Compressor, expansion valve and drier. He paid 3 times than what he should if he let us fix it right the first time. We have a very good relationship with our parts supplier. If something fail and we provided all the datas and testing info. They would replace the part with no question asked. Some reason the parts are not in stock. We will get an overnight shipment. Toyota and Lexus parts do fail but it's a very small percentage. I personally installed hundreds of timing belt and water pump. Never have one fail on me. I see many many power steering pump are bad NIB. We rather not make any money then try to make a quick buck. We work very hard to build up our business and I can't let "Mr. I want to my own parts" tarnish our name. As a matter of fact, Since we have a good relationship with our parts supplier. Our parts and labor warranty will go up to 25k miles or 25 months this coming June. PS: There is no second chance when the vehicle isn't repair properly. The client wouldn't care if they brought their own parts. You worked on it and have the same problem before. How many people and their friends will know about this? Many !!!!!! Regards, JPI

This is very true. Our shop don't install parts that customer bring in. It causes so many problems. What if the part fail in 1 month? Who will get the blame? The installer! There wouldn't be any warranty on the labor or parts. Good luck. JP Importz

Coolant would leak through the headgasket. The client wanted a new engine. So his wish will come true :). BTW, This is a 95. with 123k miles. JPI

This vehicle came in for a regular service. We pop out of the valve cover to inspect for sludge. Sure enough sludge is building up really bad. We advised the client and he is keep driving. The engine start to fail due to a hole in the cylinder wall. Vehicle was actually overheated and would blown the rear head gasket. We took some pictures. At the moment, we would just replace it another good engine. The rebuid engine would cost twice as much not to meantion the labor engine. http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172531868 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172532318 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172532348 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172532382 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172532409 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172532438 There are more to come. JPI

NO sir, The intake manifold woul have to come off. JP Importz

Vehicle came in for a check engine light and passenger side door lock are inop. After doing some check to the evap system and VSV. There is no power and ground to the Evap pressure switch and sensor. Come to find out, Our client lives in the country. The rat would make a nest and chew out all the wires. We had to remove entire harness to make the repair. http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172068943 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172068991 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172069026 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172069056 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172069094 http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/jp...pg?t=1172069123 JP Importz

Wow, Are you serious? I didn't know people actually charged this much for a 60k. Replace alternator drive belt? There is only one drivebelt and the belt would last up to 90k. Replace emission PCV Valve? and this parts would cost $10. Why would we want to replace it? Adjust valve clearances? Are they really adjusting your valves or your wallet? I think they are adjusting your wallet! Balance front tires? What the heck? Why only front tires? A regular 60k would run around $350 + plus tax here at our shop. JP Importz

How is your timing? I would pull the timing cover. Roll it up to TDC and inspect for marks. If have you access to a scope, You will need to scope the wave pattern. Inspect the ignition also. JP Importz

What black box did he used to have? The SAFCII? I am just now finishing up my single kit install on my 01 GS300, I plan to run a SAFC with a relay to reset the ECU everytime I shut the car off. Peter Farrell does this with the IS300's... For pics just host your picture somewhere like picturetrail.com then use the icon of the tree at the top of the edit screen. SAFC II No way!!!! We are running the XFC from PCS. It utilize the deadhead fuel system. Secondary inline pump kicks at a certain boost. JP Importz

We just got back from the dyno. This is a different Turbo, but since the owner doesn't like that little black box and having to reset the car all the time does get old. Our fuel controller of choice is XFC(from Transmission controller). This unit utilize the stock returnless system but it does have an external pump in place to ramp up fuel pressure. XFC is controlling the pump. Here are the specs on this GS300: Engine: 2jz-ge with 2j-gte bottom end, stock cams and VTT-i is in place Fuel and Engine Management: 440cc injectors, XFC, PLX wideband, 3 Bar Map sensor, Walbro inline fuel pump and JPI fuel kit Transmission: JPI valvebody upgrade We are going back to the dyno in a couple of days to do some pulls at 18 psi. Should be a big improvement in HP. JP IMPORTZ There were issues with the rear straps on the dyno this morning. A new set of straps and 18psi boost. Hopefully we will be in the 450whp range. A built transmission will be in place if we are planning to past these numbers. Don't forget this is a show vehicle with 20's on it. PS: How come I can't attach picture on here? JP IMPORTZ

Wow.... Some people really take it to the extreme? lol....... I wouldn't use the lexus to tow anyway... I've seen too many burn up Lexus tranny. Use the right vehicle... That is why we bought a Dodge diesel to tow our trailer around JPI

What is the voltage reading for MAF at idle and 2000rpm? Also Please provide us the long term fuel trim reading. If you are able to answer these questions, I would be able to help you out. JPI

Why would you let a Toyota dealership work on your car? Most of the toyota techs i know wouldn't touch the vvt-i on inline 6 and V8. Best of luck. JPI

Your timing belt will last up to 170000 miles. But I've seen many water leaks arond 75k miles. The $1250 price including the 90k correct? Our typical timingbelt and water pump job run around $698. JPI

Congrats Threadcutter, for sticking to your guns on this issue. You were right, as was mehullica, the Lexus dealer tech http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mastertech/tb.jpg Please read the post above that I made and the findings. Thank you. JPI

We got a hold of some 95 pistons today, So here are the results. Lexus redesigned the water jacket and raised the piston dome. We slowly crank it over 3/4 of a turn, Valves slight touch the pistons. For the year 95-97, it will go case by case. I had a 96 t-belt broke and have no problem what so ever. But I do want to let everyone know don't take any chances and change out your t-belt at 90k. JPI

What happen to your car? Details? Don't challenge me... I work on Lexus for a living! JPI

That is a good deal indeed. He is paying for the expertise, anyone can do a timing belt job and water pump for $300. Would the car run after the repair? I doubt it! JPI

Let's go back to the basic again guys. Here are a couple things you have to remember. VVT-i = valve bender. Non VVT-I = No bender. Lexus raise the compression ratio to 10.4 in 95 but it doens't mean a thing. The shape of the piston is modified to reduce weight and create a low-friction piston. The valves cut are about the same. We are an Independent Lexus repair in the dallas area, We work at least 10-15 Ls400-SC400 week. I personally rebuilt, install, modify these engines. Countless T-belt and water job on the 1UZ, I could do it with my eyes close! I don't see how and why people have these myth about the valve bender. You bend the valves because there is something else wrong(water in the engine, blow headgasket etc ......). JPI

Is this some kind of advertising? JPI

This is a 99 GS300..... Here are some additional pictures Jp Importz

Here are some quick spec on the car: GTE bottom end, TT headgasket, ARP studs, MP T-70 turbo, JPI exhaust manifold, JPI intercooler and piping, JPI DP, tial w/g, tial Bov, walbro fuel pump(we would prefer the tt pump, but it's too big ), JPI return fuel system, JPI custom fuel rail, JPI engine mounts, JPI torque converter 3000rpm stall, JPI high output alternator. EMS? Geez we have a couple of ecu in the shop but we will set up with the AEM to see how they work. You have to fab up the crank and cam pick up for it. We will keep everyone updated. It doesn't cost much. :D JP Importz

After taking a long break from our Na-t project. We are going to finish it this time. Here are some progress pictures of the project. Looking to have the car run next week.

I'm glad that they took care of you. But your service advisor didn't warn you about these things. Nothing is free and cheap at the Lexus dealership, You have to pay them back somehow. Let us know if you need any further help. JP Importz