cardona6569

Your pump might be going but before you go running for a new pump, check the belt tension/condition. The pumps in these cars could make noise but if the steering feels good it may be just the pump going or the belt or both. I had the same problem with a Diamante, ended up replacing the belt and the pump, a mechanic friend of mine said the gurging noise was ok if the steering felt good which it did, but I hated the noise, so I replaced the pump, and the belt, no more noise. If the power steering gave out it was probably with low pressure meaning probably the pump, is bad or clogged or both. Needs checking. C. PR

I would take your car to a qualified electromechanic to find out what is causing the problem and having it repaired; in many townships and cities they are usually mechanics that only specialize in this kind of work. You would be amazed at how easy they find out the drains on the cars, sometimes is even the lighter or the glass anti-fog mechanism what causes problems of the sort you describe. Then I would put a Die Hard Battery or even an Energizer one, they are great, or even an Optima. Make sure when you do get it is the best battery for the car since it consumes a lot of electricity even when it is off. On the other hand a Toyota Dealership is also a good choice, they probably feel grand working on a Lex; when people feel special because they are working in a Special Car like your Lex they tend to do a great job so you come back to them the next time. They get great joy specially if they resolve an issue the other could not. If the car still has warranty I would be looking at the lemon law with your lawyer if not able to get it to specs. A battery should not drain so easily.C. PR

Hi: I am not going to claim that Premium EZ Wax is the best thing to wax our beloved machines. But it has one advantage it does not require water and it has carnauba is clear coat safe and it lubricates the dirt. www.premiumezwax.com It not as good a someone professional detailing the car but it sure leaves it shining and nice. I also have used the Turtle Wax Clear Coat Safe and is very neat product leaving the car very nice. I also love the kit easy buffing wax nice to apply and leaves good shine for a low cost. But the EZ wax is about one of the best waxes I seen for the easy application and shine, because you do not have to wash the car unless it has chunks of dirt.

Just take the other side out and see how it is in the other side. Then try to put them back toghether with lots of patience, they are not easy to take out and put back..Watch the grooves and stuff like that in the bulb socket and in the base. Been there a lot of sweat, the first times. C. PR

Have the change done with the proper fluids Toyota,Lexus brands with somebody else that is a certified mechanic, so you do not void your warranty, taking it to a Toyota dealer seems the best of both worlds since is from the same matrix. Just to say even as other people have suggested not to change the brake fluid, I would do so, since it is recommended and it will save you money in the long run, I believe they mandate to do it, because when the systems are new they may have things like metal chips or other stuff coming off due to the heat or factory conditions, humidity from sitting in the ship/dealer. When you change the fluid all the bad stuff is gone and since you are using the car you would have less problems in the future with lets say the ABS system, which can get pretty expensive. Also your warranty can be voided for not doing the recommended maintenance. Once your warranty is gone and lets say you do not want to keep the car you can let more things slide like changing the brake fluid which is made to last quite some time. C. PR

That is verily, MB has been having some reliability problems. Everyone from Consumer Reports to car salesmen and even various MB owners told me the same, they been having a some electrical problems lately, but that they corrected them in the MB 04-05 models. (That remains to be seen.) That is why I went and bought the Lexus, they have a reliability track record going on 15 years. Both MB in the PICS look great. I had the choice between my LS 98 and an E 320 98 for about the same price, I went for the Lex because I know I will not be expending too much on repairs. I keep the maintenance up to date. Great Looking Cars, both. C. PR

Do yourself a favor and buy a OEM original toyota filter and call it a day. I have a K&N in my GS and factory toyota in my ES and am happy with both. The differences and gains have been discussed to no end , So it is to each his/her own choice. ;) ← The only real advantage of buying a K & N is that you do not have to buy another, and if you follow the cleaning guidelines to the letter you should have no problems with it, if less inclined to take the gamble, OEM is the best next I would recommend Fram or Purulator, which make great filters as well. I have used 3 K & N filters with no problems, the thing is to follow the cleaning instructions and not over oil them, and never throw away your OEM in case you need the car before the filter dries. The cleaning needs to be done at 50,000 and the filter comes ready to use, and does not drip oil from the factory, so there lies the key, if it did not drip oil from the factory, neither should drip anything when you finish cleaning and drying it up. These are just guidelines, the OEM is a great filter also, well made and well intentioned for the cars. C. PR C. PR

← Well: Nice discussion! I have learn to use Dextron III, never used anything else in my Lex or Diamante who called for such fluids, because no one knows your lexus or Japanesse car better than the engineers back in Japan who designed the car and experimented with it. The coolant, I would use the Original Toyota because is what the car came from factory and is designed to work with, but if you have to use some other one, there I do not see much issue, since the cooling system is simpler that the PS one and less prone to breakdown because of the change, unlike the PS. Using OEM thermostasts is a must, since the aftermarket ones do not have that much rust protection as the OEM, most thermostats fail because they become stuck, usually because rust in the part and bad maintenance of the cooling system. Usually an OEM thermostat in a properly serviced cooling system could last up to 7 or 8 years without problems as I seen in my experience. Just my opinion, C. PR

Greetings I just want to know if you let the belt break on the 400 LS, if it will destroy the engine, or just the belt goes and you replace it and keep going, no destruction? Sincerely, C. PR

Hello: Quite a nice and informative discussion about oils and additives! I have been convinced that the Lucas additive is not the greatest thing. Tha Amsoil is great and that Mobil is pretty good. Valvoline is a great oil to clean your engine, but it may also wear it out faster; it seems not made to be put on for long periods unlike in the racetrack when you would change it faster than in our everyday cars. Your oil leak can come from many places, mine had the valve gaskets loose, I went and torqued them and the oil leak is gone. Second, you may want to check the O-rings and gaskets of the timing belt area they are known to break down over time and leak oil. Also your valve spring gaskets could be worn also. But check the easiest first. C. PR

Hi: If you do not want to change the fuel filter, you do not have to. They can take a lot of miles. Even more they do not have a mileage at which they need to be changed, they are so good. I will leave mine until 100,000 and then will replace. I will not bother with it for now unless you have specific problems with the car, or issues like water or flooding contamination etc. C. PR

← Thanks When I make the final desition I will take your input into consideration as with many other inputs that many good folks have given me in all the years past. Thanks for being there to give your wisdom, the one that comes after doing things for so many years and comtemplating the end results. C. PR

I am a student. English, and work security for a living until finishing the BA. I was also a Jet Mechanic in the US Navy for about 10 years. Worked on the J-52 Jet Engine, J-60, J-85, T-58 and in the planes A-4 and H-3 the same helicopter that picked up the first man from the moon. I hope to become either a lawyer or a Ph.D. in English Literature to teach at college. I like to make people come up with their own ideas or become critical thinkers. Even as this is in some sense contrarian to the military life, to me as for any young men, the best he can do is go and serve his or her country, like I did, and serve it with pride and honor. C. PR Love My LEX, I just changed Tranny Fluid and differential fluid.

Hi: Wheel Bearings seems to me. C. PR

Thanks! The cureline site is great! C. PR

Greetings Forum Members and SRK: http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/...eadership.shtml This is an Internet Copy of what I found on my Time Magazine. I love your critique to my post. But you do not offer any solution but to "stop driving Excursions and Escalades" and agreeing in building more refineries. The following is from Time Magazine, Sept. 5' 2005 and these words are from a more qualified person the CEO of Chevron, Mr David J. O'Reilly: " David J. O'Reilly Chairman & CEO Chevron Corporation Energy will be one of the defining issues of this century. One thing is clear: the era of easy oil is over. What we all do next will determine how well we meet the energy needs of the entire world in this century and beyond. Demand is soaring like never before. As populations grow and economies take off, millions in the developing world are enjoying the benefits of a lifestyle that requires increasing amounts of energy. In fact, some say that in 20 years the world will consume 40% more oil than it does today. At the same time, many of the world's oil and gas fields are maturing. And new energy discoveries are mainly occurring in places where resources are difficult to extract, physically, economically and even politically. When growing demand meets tighter supplies, the result is more competition for the same resources. We can wait until a crisis forces us to do something. Or we can commit to working together, and start by asking the tough questions: How do we meet the energy needs of the developing world and those of industrialized nations? What role will renewables and alternative energies play? What is the best way to protect our environment? How do we accelerate our conservation efforts? Whatever actions we take, we must look not just to next year, but to the next 50 years. At Chevron, we believe that innovation, collaboration and conservation are the cornerstones on which to build this new world. We cannot do this alone. Corporations, governments and every citizen of this planet must be part of the solution as surely as they are part of the problem. We call upon scientists and educators, politicians and policy-makers, environmentalists, leaders of industry and each one of you to be part of reshaping the next era of energy. Signed, Dave" ____________________________________________________________________ It will take a lot of changes of attitude, and some adjusting, but I am sure we will get there. The same forces that drive the price up, will drive it down until the oil becomes obsolete just like the rubber crisis in the 60"s. I am an optimist, always will be! C. PR

Hi: That Black Lexus for 13,000.00 is a steal. Ask the owner to what Lexus dealer or where did he do the maintenance. Take the VIN # out to the Lexus dealer and ask them what maintenance has been performed in the car. If he did not do it at the Lexus dealer he should have some documents, buying a Lexus with neglected maintenance is a risky proposition. Timing belt change very important see if it was done or if it is needed. Oil change in the car is at 5,000 miles. Make sure the owner tells you what has gone wrong with it in all the years he had it. That way you have an idea of how good or bad he was with the car, the interior should look with little use besides the driver side. It is very important that you do a Carfax title check, many bad water damage vehicles running around from LA and other parts. If all that is clear you can go ahead with it. Read the forums on the most common problems, in addition to the ones given in this thread. The detailing we have many experts and I say experts in the products and cleaning techniques on how to keep your paint like new. They showed me the Magic Eraser, great product to clean about anything and inexpensive also. When you get it change the air filter to the K & N clean the Throtle Body, they tend to carbon up a lot, and clean the PCV check the hose for sludge. Take it to Autozone and do a battery check, making sure the battery is not going out. Wash it take it for a long drive get some CD's and some ole cassettes also if you have them and like a great dinner that is never heavy and leaves you neither not full but not empty wanting for more, that is the LS Experience. Is like meeting the other love of your life! C. PR

From experiance, a lot of sensors going off will trip the trac light. Even if your brake fluid sensor isnt connected. Just make sure all the connections are secure to all the main mechanical parts under the hood. ← Hello: I agree also check your battery, It may be going on its way out. A weak battery can cause other lights in the dash to light and not the one of the charging system, check battery and terminals for corrosion, battery. Sincerely, C. Cardona

← MIne had a Gasket leak, when checked the valve covers were loose, I just got them retorqued to about 20 degrees angle and the leak is a thing of the past. C. PR

Hello: Since I bought my 98 it had a vibrating sound coming from the back of the car, a rattle. This morning went to try to hunt it down, found out that the sound or noise was coming from the soda holder in the middle of the back seat. Put some masking tape to the from opening where you push to get it out, sound was gone. I went as fast as 80 MPH with someone in the back seat to listen where the sound was coming from, it ended. I am even happier with my LS. Happily, C. PR

Hi: Rain X is a great product it repels water and leaves the glass super clean also. If you replaced the OEM Blades with Bosh and do not find refills for them, you can buy the Rally brand they sell them at Pep Boys like for 4.00 a refill instead of spending the 10-15 to replace the whole blade, they worked very good on mine. The OEM in my dealer they costs 15 installed, not bad either, but since the dealer is an hour and they will take about couple of hours intalling/taking the car I went for those aftermarket refills, my aftermarket refills needed to be narrow, that is the key. Make sure your refill is exactly wide if the one in the car is wide and viceversa if it is narrow like mine. The rally has a little picture on the box and you can compare the refill with the picture and the length of the blade mine was 21 N you could also use the 22n. C. PR

Hi: You do not need to clean K & N filters for 50,000 miles, they also state that the dust they get is no problem. You can clean them before but it is not imperative that you do, unless is really clogged up with leaves or something like that. They give better mileage and power because they increase the flow of airen into your motor, making it breathe easier. This is a citation from the box of mine: "Thousand of micro-scopic cotton threads absorb our specailly formulated oil to create a powerful filtering media, that protects your motor from harmful contaminants. As part of our ongoing commitment to protect your engine, we verify our filtering efficiency in labaoratory tests on a regular basis." " Stop do not discard this vehicle equipped with a nono-disposable air filter Service filter everry 50,000- 100,000 miles. Sooner under extreme dusty conditions." You will need to buy the cleaning kit costs about 10.00 and if you follow the instructions clearly you will not have any problems. Do not discard your old paper filter, this in case you need to use the car while the K & N is in service since that operation can take like 45 minutes until it dries good, and do not need to be oiled when it comes new from the box. I have used it in 3 cars including the Lex and the cars feel different more power and crisp acceleration. C. PR

Hello: Even as it has a torque you can let it go with doing it without, as you do not go overboard on the amount of force applied to the drain plug. Usually you can torque that in an easy fashion. Tight the bolt until it touches the surface of the oil pan, at this time the plug is not tight it is just flushed with the metal, from that point go to an angle of one quater of the turn or 15 to 20 degrees, that should be more than good and if you even want to be more sure it is just give it a little more, but you should find that you cannot move the plug anymore without doing a great effort. That is called wrench art and is probably in a future going to replace most torque applications, because is an easier no tools faster approach. But some places will be torqued always because of the safety involved. Check for leaks! With the engine on. And since you are not that seasoned always keep an eye in the oil warning light and puddles under the vehicle. But the Torque wrench is the surest way, they sell them very cheap for automotive applications, you can probably get one for like 20 or less one that does not need much calibration. C. PR

Hello: Since you have been around the Lexus models more than I, is the Gs-300 basen upon the Old Supra? Thanks, why I asked is because I had a 87 Supra and loved it. C. PR

Hey: May have to replace the cables, clean them first, use clubsoda to clean them or a cheap tool that they sell in the autoparts to clean them. Also can use electrical parts cleaner, or some sand paper, the cheapest way. Second coat lightly the terminals with petroleum jelly, very light coat. Tight connectors really good, do not break them either, they should not move easily with your finger. What people call good and tight. If when you do this the car does not start or lights in the panel do not light up, tight the connections a little more, if the cluster do not come still one, need to replace terminals one at the time until the problem is solved, maybe your terminals need replacing. In the autoparts store in the battery terminal section there should be good replacements for them. Hope you do not have to take this last route, but with a car that age it can happen. Usually is only one of them not both. C. PR