golffnutt

Are you saying the $5 braces on Ebay are as good as the ones selling for $100? I find that hard to believe but then again this is why I am doing the research as I know nothing about these bars from a quality standpoint. ← I appreciate the feedback but I find it hard to believe the cheaper ones are made of material that is as stiiff as the better ones in order for the part to do its job which is add stability to handling particularyly when cornering. Maybe they do but I need recommendations from those who have bought the cheap ones and are happy with their performance. Not saying your comments aren't accurate but have you actually tried one of the Ebay bars? If so please tell me what you found out. Again I really appreciate you reply but its going to take more than one opinion to convince me to buy one, whether it is cheap or expensive. Thanks again for your help.

Are you saying the $5 braces on Ebay are as good as the ones selling for $100? I find that hard to believe but then again this is why I am doing the research as I know nothing about these bars from a quality standpoint.

Still looking for models and sources to buy a quality strut tower brace for my 1996 ES300. I have looked at the ones on ebay and they are all cheap in price therefore scare me regarding quality. I want a quality brace. Can anyone please furnish me with recommended models including brand names and also furnish me with sources of where to buy? Thank you so much for your time and help.

Well I just went through 18 pages for ya (using the search on cabin filter)… Well all I know is behind the glove box or by the pedal. So the pedal is out as you stated: http://web.ace.net.au/soarer/air_conditioner_filter.html Try this for the smell. www.ultrashield.com/odortreatment.htm ← Thanks guys but I guess I will just give up on this one and take to the dreaded dealer to show me where it is. I really do appreciate everyone's time and input.

Well the cabin filter ain't beside the gas pedal under the carpet on the side of the console, I promise you it ain't there and there is no empty spot for one either on my '96 ES300. The smell is just getting worse. I tried the lysol think spraying in the window cowls, worked great for 2 days, then right back to stinky smell. Really need to find out where the cabin filter is and replace it so if anyone for sure knows where it is on a '96 ES300 I would sure appreciate the help. Thanks a million to everyone who has tried to help. Have a great day.

Thank you.

Sk thanks for the reply and advice. Are shock tower bushings you refer to the same thing as strut mounts or are the 2 differenct parts? Thanks again.

I guess I can forget using this forum for any help, that's too bad. Hope everyone else has better luck. 50 views, no replies not my kind of forum.

Would really appreciate a little advice here guys, please help. Thank you.

Was wondering if anyone could tell me the best place to buy these, probably going with KYB. Who has the best price? Can I just replace the shock or do I have to replace the entire strut assembly on my '96 ES300? Would you buy rubber or polyeruthane mounts? Is polyeruthane even available for this model? Thanks for your advice and time.

mburnickas thanks for the pics, hopefully this solve the riddle when I have time to get back to it later this week. Thanks for your time and reply.

Thanks Steviej, I will look again for filter but looked exactly where you said and saw nothing yesterday. Thanks so much for your reply.

HELP surely someone knows the answer to my question. Thank you.

Please help if you can, I have a terrible musty, stale smell coming from AC and I think it is Cabin Filter. Can anyone tell me the best place to buy and also how to change it. I would really appreciate your help on this. Thanks everyone.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

VGR again thank you for your time and reply.

VGR thank you so much for your reply. You do not know how much you have eased my mind. I had visions of having to replace the engine possibly. $$$$$$$$$. Thanks again. ← hay man as a 3 year auto tec im telling you it is your valve seals are leaking and for the moment they will be fine. but just to let you know over time the seals will get wors and in time you will go from smoke on startup to large amounts of oil burn and rough running and poor performanc. I sugest you call some shops and get a price for the job and just start puting some cash aside for when this ocers but dont freek this will probly take anywere from 3months to a year so you got time and aside from your cat u wont damage your car but your cat will take a beating over time. by the way just use standerd oil the price is not worth it you can do your oil change more often and it will still be cheaper. oil aditivs start to burn out of your oil at about 175c an avereg running temp is 190c so there is no benifet to syn oil. as per petro canada oil corp RnD and lube traning cours ← Mugwai thank you for your reply and advice. Any idea what this will cost me?

VGR thank you so much for your reply. You do not know how much you have eased my mind. I had visions of having to replace the engine possibly. $$$$$$$$$. Thanks again. ← Anyone have any idea how much it would cost to replace valve stem oil seals?

VGR thank you so much for your reply. You do not know how much you have eased my mind. I had visions of having to replace the engine possibly. $$$$$$$$$. Thanks again.

Thank you for the replies. The car has been maintained very well with oil changes, tune ups, etc. per dealer maintenance schedule. Car has 142K but runs like a dream with the excep;tion of the blue smoke problem. Use Castrol 10W30 oil. Look forward to your reply. ← PCV valve isn't a bad idea to replace......if it's fairly new, I wonder if your head gasket is on the fritz & if you don't have any oil leaks, I'd consider switching to synthetic oil. B) ← Thank you for the synthetic oil suggestion, what weight oil would you recommend? ← With the mileage on yours, 10W30.......most popular is Mobil 1 or Amsoil (I use Amsoil ASL 5W30 personally.....switched from Mobil 1). Make sure you use a top quality oil filter as well such as Mobil 1, K & N, Amsoil, Toyota etc. Change the oil plug gasket every second oil change to prevent leaks around the plug. Here is an article comparing Amsoil to Mobil 1 btw. B) http://www.amsoil.com/performancetests/amsoil_vs_mobil1.aspx ← Thank you, I will give Amsoil a try. Where's the best place to find/buy Amsoil?

Thank you for the replies. The car has been maintained very well with oil changes, tune ups, etc. per dealer maintenance schedule. Car has 142K but runs like a dream with the excep;tion of the blue smoke problem. Use Castrol 10W30 oil. Look forward to your reply. ← PCV valve isn't a bad idea to replace......if it's fairly new, I wonder if your head gasket is on the fritz & if you don't have any oil leaks, I'd consider switching to synthetic oil. B) ← Thank you for the synthetic oil suggestion, what weight oil would you recommend?

Probably been a year since pcv valve was changed. Is it hard to do yourself? Thank you very much for your help.

Thank you for the replies. The car has been maintained very well with oil changes, tune ups, etc. per dealer maintenance schedule. Car has 142K but runs like a dream with the excep;tion of the blue smoke problem. Use Castrol 10W30 oil. Look forward to your reply.

Hi Everyone. I am new to the forum so please bear with me if I do something wrong. I have a 1996 ES300 that upon first startup when cold it puts out blue smoke. After the car warms up for about 3 minutes the blue smoke disappears. Can anyone tell me what this is and how to go about correcting the problem. Also need help finding new drivers seat, my leather bottom is really worn badly. Thanks to all for your help and advice.