VBdenny

We drove the car home from Richmond yesterday without any problem. I looked and I definitely have some ps fluid leakage. I may have caused the problem by overfilling the reserviour because it was low before I left and perhaps overfilled it a bit. Now I just have to figure out what to do to correct it. I had been running pretty fast when it happened and then had just gotten on it a little more. I stopped right away and knew it wasn't coming from the exhuast pipes (which was a relief). The car runs and drives perfectly, in fact we got about 26 mpg. I could understand a little bit of stuff burning off the manifolds, but this was fresh and when I wiped the oil that spotted on the back of the car, it was not motor oil. It was the purple colored PS fluid. I checked the tansmission and that was exactly at the proper level so I'm relatively sure that is not it

The smoke wasn't caused by internal burning, it was definietly from ps fluid on the manifold. I'll explore more today

Got to log off, talk to you all tomorrow evening. I'd really, really appreciate any suggestions how ever far fetched. Denny out

I undestand what you mean. Yeah, my brother use to work for a chevy dealer and got some of their synthetic sealer which was quite good. I have tried quite a few different waxes, polishes and sealants but still feel I get the best results from the insulator wax. Dark vehicles are far harder to maintain which is why I only have one dark vehicle.

I was told by the Lexus dealer that the upper control arms are a weak point on this car. They are magnesium and the ball joint is intergrated. Your vibration sound like a weak suspension compnet. They are had to check yourself, find some alignment guy (or girl) that is understands. Many times they find problems when doing alignments as they can't make a setting stick.

I nver had any smoke before and to have it happen while passing a Cadillac was.... well embarring. I drove it about 30 miles back to the Richmond airport and it didn't smoke anymore, but having it come out bad enough to have the oil show up on the back of the car rather concerns me. I think I'd like to just replace the PS pump, or at least find out where it is leaking. I remember a thread on a certain place these leak.

Interesting. When I read this I realized that I have never used the AM band in the car. I kind of forgot they still have AM stations. Not must use for them as they are mostly all people talking, worrying, and complaining. I also remember they are all staticy and fade in and out. I'll try it sometime and see if it works. Having an AM band to me is about the same as having a cassete player.

Mine has always had the exact same condition. I found if you fill it even up to the "full cold" level, it overflows when it is hot. I suspect that the longlife coolant must expand more than regular coolant. Maybe I should have paid more attention in chemistry and physics. I don't worry about it, and my temp is rock steady always. denny

MY "great white shark" hood almost got me a couple of times. I replaced them with the autozone shocks mentioned here and they have been perfect for a year or more. They have slighlty less extention lift than the originals, but the don't snap closed. I liked the paper clip idea, wish I'd thought of it. denny

Yesterday I was heading from the beach up to Virginia Tech on I-64. I had just passed Richmond and was running about 85 or so. I wound up behind a CTS running about 80 in the left lane. Apparently he had the cruise on because he hung side by side with another car for some distance. I finnaly had an opportunity to pass and I got right down on it up to maybe a buck or so. Suddenly I saw smoke streaming from behind my 400 (kind of like what the show on NASCAR). I whipped into a rest area which happened to be just up ahead. I opened the hood and smoke was drifting up from behind the engine. I looked around and determined it wasn't being burned internally, rather from what looked to be power steering fluid burning on the exhaust manifold. The car had oil spots on the back. I parked the thing at the Richmond airport and rented a car. Tomorrow, I'll pick it up and drive back, not sure what will happend. I have extre fluid with me. I guess I'll be replacing the PS unit so I would appreciate and information on what I have to do for this job. I may also replace the rack, althought that is a job I have never done. Suggestions and comments welcomed. I won't be back on line until Monday night. Thanks everyone Denny

Well, interesting conversation. Come on SWO, while I certainly agree that any wax lasts less on a dark vehicle, saying the Collinite bakes off? Okay, whatever. As far a s durability, I just wahed the Lexus for the first itme in months after being in NJ. After I finished, it still looks like I just waxed it today. I also detail cars for people occasionally (if I like them and the car) and everyone has been amazed. I can't speak for #476s because I never use paste, but for the #846, I have never found anyhting better for protection, and I have been at it for a long time. I use it on my Froniter which is dark blue and it easily lasts a half year or more. I only speak well of it beacuse I like it, I have no interest in the company, nor do I even know anyone asociated with the comapny. I am a customer. I haven't heard one other person on here speak about #846, as everyone seems to like the 476. Maybe it is just ........ better? Denny

Terrible hit. As the victem of many "not my fault" wrecks, I have found that the Insurance companies start off by trying to save money. Argue with them and demand what you are owed, Really sorry about your car, you took are hard lick. My perspective is that they will total the car. I thought the perspective offered by 93 was right on the mark. Teach you to try to turn left...... huh?

Whatever kind of car it was, it must have been waxed to the hilt! Did you see they way that cat slid off?

Hey SWO, Yeah, I like picking up a few extra bucks on the side, especially when it is under the table. I decided after doing this new Sienna, to charge an average of $250 a vehicle. Cars a little less SUV's a little more. Most of the people I deal with really like nice looking, perfect vehicles but don't have the time (or inclination) to do them. I slide in there and when they get their car back it is perfect. I spent 10 hours doing the Sienna including glass, tires and wheels, door jambs and engine. The guy flipped when he saw it. Answering gshawns question, I used #845 Insulator Wax. I haven't tried the #476s but I never cared much for paste wax. I guess I have always thought liquids are easier. I'd have to guess that there isn't a whole lot of difference. You will be happy because it works so perfectly and lasts forever. I did my mothers car in Syracuse NY last summer and when my brother washed it after her driving it in records snow (it's snowing there right now by the way) he said the hose just about cleaned it up. I figure that if they bother to apply the stuff to high voltage power lines, they must expect it to last. What could be better than cleaning cars and getting paid for it? I have my CATV, stereo, and refrigerator right there. Sorry SWO, I woun't be able to make the April meet, must to my dismay. I am signed up for my Richard Petty driving experience at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charollte that day. Well, at least I'll be driving and having fun. I really wanted to attend and since yall are meeting about 10 miles from our crib there, it would have been easy. Next time, amybe summer since I am off then. Denny

Matthew, I detail vehicles using the following steps. Wash the car clay the car Maquires #1 Paint Cleaner Collinte #845 Insulator Wax Mother's Detailing Spray Lasts a year maybe more, I tried to apply another coat after a year and it would hardly take any. Since I couldn't tell the difference betweeen the part I had done and the other, I just hit it with the detailing spray. Denny

Yes you can wax the bumper. They need extra as the paint on the plastic never lasts as well as the paint on metal. Before using the collinite, I suggest that you completely clean it with Maquires #1 Paint Cleaner first. I just finished detailing a 2004 Toyota Seinna (I detail on the side/$150-$250) and I even cleaned the paint on that prior to putting on the Collinite. I use the #845 Insulator wax and nobody will ever talk me into using anything else. It is like encasing your car in a shell. Just be very sure to have your paint prepared perfectly as the stuff seals in everything you miss. Having the paint perfectly prepared is extremely important. By the way, I spend 10 hours on the Toyota, but it is perfect now. Denny

I found out that you do not have to remove the engine splash pan to change the oil. Remove the two 10mm bolts on the drivers side near the transmission. You can then bend back the shield enough to remove the filter. It's pretty easy on this car to get at but as 90 Jim said, you definitely need ramps because these cars are so low. The splash pan bolts are 10mm, and the drain plug is 14mm. I have heard many people say about replacing the drain bolt gasket, but I never have and it has never leaked. I use a Fram XG filter ($10). Regarding oil, don't put anything other than 5W-30. in your car. I would certainly recommend using synthetic because it is far superior. I use Mobil 1. In nothern climates they sometimes use 0W-30 now. To better undertsand oil I suggest you read the post on OIL on this forum. It really is quite easy plus it gives you a chance to look around under there. There are no lubrication points on the car so you don't need a grease gun.

Well actually you are both correct. Both the oil and the coolant provide cooling, although the oil cools differently. Thunder may be thinking about old V W engines that were air cooled. In my opinion air cooled engines are great for lawnmowers, generators, and pressure washers. They are terrible in cars, especially in the winter. I froze my butt off in the winter in my dads VeeDub as the only heat came off the exhaust manifold or something.

The true bottom feeders are the ones who "key" cars. I have had a few friends get this done to their cars. The car terrorists never seem to do it to a POS car either. Last year someone dipweed backed into my truck and broke my taillight lens and put a small dent it below it. They were long gone when I found it like that later

I'll do that Jim Not sure exactly how to pull it, but it doesn't look too hard. I'll assume that Toyota uses the same type of snap-in clip that Lexus uses. You brought another question to mind. If I find one with a CD, does it have the security code? I've never disconnected the battery on the car. Denny

Even with the most economical driving, you'll be lucky to save 100 bucks a year. I have friends with giant SUV's who complain as well. Here is how I figure the deal, if you want good milage, get a hybrid or at least some little Toyota or Honda. The Corolla I just bought got 36.1mpg and that was before I found out the tire pressures were rather low. Big V-8 luxury cars are for driving, not worrying about fuel. I only worry about fuel costs at election time. We can't control it, so why worry? Sorry to sound rude but if some poor people were to read this forum and see Lexus owners worrying about fuel milage, they would laugh. I rarely even look at the cost when I buy gas, as long as they have pay-at-the-pump, I'm happy. Denny

Automatic bleeping! I am impressed. Sorry for the bad language, I wasn't thinking and you saved me. I especially liked the time I was bleeped when describing a certain type of metal file I was describing.

Yeah, it certainly me up. I never hit the brakes for tailgaters as I consider it antiagonistic and there are many crzy people out there. Me being *BLEEP*ed about someone tailgating isn't worth me getting shot. Besides, setting them up for a ticket was MUCH more pleasurable. I do have a little mean streak. Denny

JIm, That is also the exact radio in the Corolla. Do you have a CD player pluges into it? I'm going to look in the junkyard tomorrow norning and see if I can find one that has a CD. I might be able to since they have about 200 camrys and corollas in there. If not, I'll probably buy one off the net. According to what I have found, any radio from 93 to 2003 should fit. I'm looking at the site you mentioned. Thanks yall Denny

Although gas milage isn't a real concern to me, last time I checked I got about 23mpg on Interstate driving. Of course that was on fule purchased in NJ where they use reformulated gasoline which lowers your milage significantly. I must admit that I was a little surpized hearing about luxury car owners talking about gas milage. Are you guys serious?