Scott Gordon

dj, hey thanks< good advice and good leads I don't know anything about audio and doing it myself I be "Dazed and confused" I got a bunch of CDs so would like to retain that capability and over 300 tapes i made from cd I was like napster before napster . my local library has over 5000 CD honest as you would expect many are scratched but if you use rainX ( get it at pepboys ) on the Cd a couple of drops buffet with a tissue and it fills in the scratch and won't cause the cd to skip it works on all but the worst scratches. I read about it years ago in a audio magazine.

Brother lexus owners I need your help What options do I have for replacing or fixing my Nachimachi ( sorry can't spell ) audio system? The CD player skips and on occasions a CD jams between the storage box and cd player, requirening me to hack saw the cd in half in order to release and remove the storage unit. For awhile now a hardly audable buzz is heard when the radio is on and the radio's volume is also reduced somewhat . Most recently the sound goes off and on (regardles what is playing radio,CD, tape deck) currently all sound is off. I gotta believe the systems is shot what do you think? Do you know a good replacement system? does it sound to you (no pun intended ) as if I need a new amp or just a head unit. What system would you recommend ??I would like to use existing speakers and at least get a radio and cd player installed.Can my system be easly converted to play MP3 or what ever the latest technology is. YOU HELPFULL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE APPRECIATED sorry I'm shouting but I don't know if you can hear me. Scott

Brother lexus owners I need your help What options do I have for replacing or fixing my Nachimachi ( sorry can't spell ) audio system? The CD player skips and on occasions a CD jams between the storage box and cd player, requirening me to hack saw the cd in half in order to release and remove the storage unit. For awhile now a hardly audable buzz is heard when the radio is on and the radio's volume is also reduced somewhat . Most recently the sound goes off and on (regardles what is playing radio,CD, tape deck) currently all sound is off. I gotta believe the systems is shot what do you think? Do you know a good replacement system? does it sound to you (no pun intended ) as if I need a new amp or just a head unit. What system would you recommend ??I would like to use existing speakers and at least get a radio and cd player installed.Can my system be easly converted to play MP3 or what ever the latest technology is. YOU HELPFULL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE APPRECIATED sorry I'm shouting but I don't know if you can hear me. Scott

Hey guys some good advise, I never get gas when a gas delivery is being made at the station. always change your fuel filter at scheduled interval, and use the octaine recommended for the car. The question remaines is the gas offered by valero and other less then "top tier" stations that sells form .10 to .25 a gallon cheaper in the long term (say 50000mi for the sake of discussion) harmful to the fuel system( from the cars tank to its valves and cylinders vs the top tier? I think not based on my practical experence.

HI how much for the mass air sensor?

Hi Where I live in NJ valero premium sells for $3.01 a gallon while other older name brand premiums such as Mobil ,shell, exxon ( 40.6 billion in profits this year! man I'd like to get political but...) are selling for $3.25. Why is this? is it because valero gas has no helpful additives or is it because of the ethonol content I believe its 10% ? I have been using valero exclusively over the last few years because of the cost savings with no ill effects on my cars performance. Now I do on occassion on average add a bottle of techtronic injector /port/valve cleaning fluid you know the stuff about every 15,000 miles just for kicks( not because of any issue with performance, just fearful I may be dumping deposits through out engine by using valero you also know there is no free lunch). thanks the gas master (brought to you by beans and philly scraple LOL) if we could only run on methaine

Hi folks, I know mass air censor can cause this as I once owned a mercedes (what a piece of crap that car is) and had to replace it twice. But where this is unique is that the bouncing only occurs when the tempiture is over 85 degrees or so., bellow this temp. the idel is spot on. does anyone have an idea what could be causing this ??? Thanks Scott

I have a 1998 sc300 and the idel bounces between 0 and 1500 RPM but only when the tempeture is over 85* any tempeture lower then 85* and no problem. with idel I was thinking it was the mass air sensor but the problem only occurs in hot weather. Is there some type of tempature sensor that controls this? Thanks Scott

i have a 93gs300 with 188000mi using dyno as advised by a number of folks its not a good idea to switch with this many miles on as car parts wear based on dyno oil properties. hey 188000 on dyno changing every 3000mi or so and no issues so i say stay with what works you got 166000mi why take a chance how many more years you gonna own car.

had same issue with my 98 sc300 it has a sun roof and drain holes were plugged. you must be careful not to loosen hose. i got a straw from wawa it fit in the hose (exhausr ports both in front and back of sun roof) then I got weed wacker nylon wire and threaded it through the hose, thats why you need straw to strighten out nylon wire so it will feed down the water exhaust hose. i fed it down the tubeall the way to the bottom of the car and it cleaned out the clogs.

This sounds like what going on in my 1998 sc300 it just started. it only occurs at idel and the tach needle bounces between 100 rpms and 1300 rpm. I do not want to mess with trying to clean it. so where can you get these other then ebay or a dealer dealing with either can hurt your wallet. I rather go with a good quality aftermarket part but I do not think they are available as I checked with a foreign parts place in my town and they had nothing in after market for a lexus sc mass air sensor. whats been your experence using a generic MAS or do you know where to get an OME part. thanks

Just a little rant but hey I'm Scotish Now I realize there is a lot of overhead at a lexus dealership, and I also know what WC fields said about suckers, and fools and their money. Now I do not mean to insult those of you with gobs of disposable income ( actually I admire your ability to make money just not at my expense) but in my world $1200 is a substancial sum. The dealership was kind enough to give me a detailed list of stuff that goes on in this 60,000 mi service. Other then looking over the car the actual work involves fluid and plug changing and some other little odds and ends like a new gas cap gasket is about what you get for $1200. :chairshot: I bought a case of type 4 tranny fluid,at the local toyota dealer (it was actually cheaper this time then two years ago) and mobile one synthetic gear oil, and brought it to my local guy who flushed the tranny, diffrential , breaks , powersteering , and cooling system cost to me $200.00 labor plus my parts.or a little less then $300. My machanic will take necesary parts from engine(it does sound involved to get to the plugs), and while hes at it clean the throttle body and will use the parts I supply for another $100.00 in labor. He has done this for me before (fluid flushing) for both this car and my 1993 gs300 (185,000mi and going great) I would like to say that this forum and the kind folks on it who provide direction/advice like what fluids to use etc. have kept my cars running strong at well below dealer cost Thank you all.

Hi , I would like to replace my spark plugs on my 1998 sc300 and would like to know what the OEM plug was it seems folks refer to the oem plug but don't name it? Also from what I have read should I replace the plugs in the car with with an Iridium plug or should I use platnum ? finaly from what I've read I should use either Denso or NKG is one better then the other it seems NKG are a bit cheaper? thanks Scott

I believe all are good choices but with regars to the older lux my experence I purchased a 1993 gs300 with 80,000 on it and it just turned 186000. in that time a control arm,rear window motor and outside driver sidewindow frame have gone south and the headlights need polishing on a regular basis to be clear so its been amazingly trouble free. and in the 6 years I've owned it reliable it has never once failed to start. Now I happen to love the style it is timeless in my view but at almost 15 years old it could use a lot of work to make it look and run newer again ie new paint , new leather seats for starters, the suspension could be replaced etc. you get my drift, now I was lucky and got the car for $10,000 and I could get maybe get 4 or 5 thousand for it. So you get a lux like sportyish ride on the cheap. so I would opt for the LS with 80,000. I also got a 1998 sc300 with 48,000 for $13,000 (it was in a accident ( sheet metal repair and repainted1/4 panel ) but otherwise machanically in good shape. least I forget get lexus dealer to go over car your planning to purchase to have them check it out ($100) also had my mechanic go over it. It just turned 87,000 mi and zero mechanical issues though I think O2 sensor is failing. My point of view go lux and you will drive in confort and it will last, get a style that you like that is contemporary and it won't show its age over time. (those not in the know think they are both new cars lol) except for wear and tear and have it checked out before you purchase.

I have a 1993 gs 300 with 180,000mi and knock on wood its been an outstanding car never once has it not started. as far as repairs go only the seperation of outside window molding on drivers side and a driver side passenger window motor has needed repair. In short I'd buy another in a heart beat if the price was right.I also own a 1998 sc300 and similar results.As far as I am concerned Lexus is the gold standard. On the other hand I owned a similar year mercedes E300 and it was the worst car i have ever owned a stone cold piece of crap unreliable and frequent and varied costly repairs. I understand BMW are not much better. i

turns out it was over filled by 1 quart mechanic drained off 1.5 quarts then refilled the 1/2 quart with a universal tranny product?I was a bit gun shy allowing this given it was filled with the toyota type 4. but figured what could mixing 1/2 quart of a universal fluid do. so far nothing adverse. car runs smother for sure, almost seamless going through gears.

Hi just had my transmission flushed and new toyota type 4 added to my 1998 sc300. I notice when I checked the dip stick when cold that the fill level was about two inches over the fill mark for hot tranny fluid. My question can over filling tranny cause damage? thanks scott

Hi I recently had my transmission flushed and filled with new toyota type 4. I checked the level when the car was cold and again when hot and noticed in both cases the fill level way way ( 3 inches) above the marks on the dip stick. I know over filling your oil pan can cause major problems since it causes foaming etc. so I was wondering if problems occur with over filling the tranmission pan. My question can over filling the car 's tranmission cause problems??? if so what might they be? or is no harm done by this? thanks Scott

hi Ok this has happened to me a couple of times to my 1993gs300 cd changer in my case the cd was caught between ther player and cassette as the cd was being returned to a slot with another cd in that slot. If that is what is happening to your cd you can either take the cd player apart or get a hack saw blade and slide it between the cassette and player and saw the cd in half then in the future alternate spaces in your cassette so that an empty spaces(slot) exist around each cd this waythe changer cannot force two cds in same storage space, though you now have qa 6 cd changer instead of a 12 cd changer. Or you could spend well over a grand for a fix or replacement cd changer.

Hi I own a 1993gs300 with 178000mi and sttill running strong. I also owned a Mercedes 300e and they are truely a piece of crap talk about a money pit. OK to your questions the 1993 gs 300 is a non interfearing engine, what this means is if the timing belt breaks the valves will not drop and destroy your clyinders thus in effect causing you much financial pain. I would suggest you have the car checked out by lexus dealer it costs about $100, also IO would totally change all fluids such as transmission ( use only toyota brand), break, diffrential, power steering, antifreeze,etc. I see timing belts specials at local toyota dealer for $200.00 that seems cheap it cost me a bit more and the fluids will cost about a $100.00 for each flush and change plus the cost of the new fluids. The gs is a good car mine has been very cheap to maintaine. there are however some common problems like leaks in main gasket seperating engine from tranny, powersteering leaks, and outside trim pulling away from windows on driver side. Good luck

I bought a 1993 gs300 five years ago for $10,000 so payments would be roughly $ 167.00 and droping by the month lol.

When I purchase a used car I like to change out all fluids brake, diffrential, powersteering,antifreeze, oil, tranny. that way you have a baseline and know your car fluids are new. No tranny problems to my knowedge I have 1993 gs with 175000 mi and also 1998 sc300 with 80,000mi. both run great knock on wood.

Hi I need some suggestions to help in my search, I have a 1993 GS300 with 175,000mi and wish to replace it with a newer model GS300 or 400. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a year that was a little better then the rest? Also if anyone know's of a year that should be avoided that would be helpful ? I am Looking between the years 1995 to 2003. I does not matter to me if its a first, second or third generation design, they are all good in my eyes ( though I must admit the first generation design is my favorite). thanks Scott

Hi i have a 93 gs300 with 175000 mi the rear seal has been leaking for 5 years( small drips on ocassion) if it's a slow bleeder like mine just check fluid levels and save $$. O2 sensors not a apparent problem with lexus. widow motors do act up on ocassion and are big bucks to replace like about $600 since you got to replace more then just motor. ebay has a lot of bad carma related to car sales its best to have dealer check car over for $100 before you buy. Good luck

I just had a similar problem and thought it was a tire balance issue turned out to be a problem with my caliper sticking to the rear driver side rotor.