Jump to content


ebridges

Regular Member
  • Posts

    63
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Profile Information

  • Lexus Model
    91 & 96 LS400

ebridges's Achievements

Community Regular

Community Regular (8/14)

  • First Post
  • Collaborator Rare
  • Conversation Starter
  • Week One Done
  • One Month Later

Recent Badges

0

Reputation

  1. Hey Folks, Been off board a good while. Everything has been working so well on 91 LS and 96 LS. But wife's A/c on 96 LS400 is finally BAD. Identified the need for new evaporator. Can't complain since we've put the entire 212k on it over 10 years. Irontoad came through quickly. But, despite the 96 repair manual, and downloading the PDF for Gen 1 from forum, can't seem to locate that last "fastener". Blower is really quite loose on all sides except top left. :cries: Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I have the Mitchell CDs, but can't find anything on the evaporator removal. Thanks for any tips. Earl now back in FL.
  2. In my earlier ignorant years, the dealership advised me that my 96 LS "power steering pump was dripping onto the alternator". This was at 99,000 while doing the timing belt. I said "fix it", then complained when they told me how much the final bill was. They reduced it. Now on my "new" 91 LS, I replaced it myself with the Autozone. Put about 30K on it since and couldn't be more pleased. Good luck.
  3. What I don't know is whether you can just strip the wires going to the wear sensor and twist them short to defeat the () light. Yep, I have done that, and several others done same. Makes it like a regular car, needs periodic checking of the pad wear.
  4. My 91 LS (on the road since 9/90 ) had about 90,000 when I replaced it about 6 mos ago. It looked super good. Car had been near Dallas, TX most of those 13 + years. Apparently, very good belts :-)
  5. Been using Amsoil for last 49,000 in my 91 LS, engine, tranny and diffy. Now have nearly 120,000 total miles since purchased 15 months ago. No warranty involved in a 14 year old car. Same with my wife's 96 LS, 193,000, with Amsoil in the engine since about 130,000 or so. again, no warranty factors here. In my thinking, why would Lexus insist on selling you it's own proprietary fluids ? Bottom line - to increase their bottom line. I guess I'm a sucker for the little guy, trying to compete with the giants. I felt that a bit about Lexus (Toyota), competing with US and German markets once-upon-a-time. But just because a company is BIG, doesn't assure that they have my own best interests at heart. But for a smaller company to become successful, they must have something reliable. Amsoil has been around for at least 25 years.
  6. I used Mobile One in my wife's 96 LS for first 130,000 miles or so. When I got my 91 LS, I switched both to Amsoil. Both use the same Amsoil filter SDF-57, as does my son-in-law's 95 LS. Good Luck.
  7. Fuel Pumps, located inside the fuel tank, are "cooled" by fuel. If you run the tank real low, ie low level light on, you most likely are not getting sufficient cooling - therefore quickly wearing it out. Lexls is correct - "just don't run the tank dry".
  8. Man, am I glad someone else had the same problem. While installing an Autozone PS pump, on my 91 LS, I too, lost the little something in the ACV. Started the car, and smoke, so then shut it off. It actually "blew the ACV hose off the pump". Tried to start it again, and it wouldn't even turn over. Pumped a LOT of PS fluid into the engine, especially #7 (back left) cylinder. I couldn't even turn it over. Okay, took out the spark plugs, and cranked the starter. Wet red fluid everywhere. Finally got it all out. Decided with the help of two mechanic friends, that the ACV wasn't crucial to the working of the PS pump. Left the ACV out, and blocked it with a suitable stopper, same threads. Removed both rubber hoses and blocked the ports. Been driving over 10,000 miles since, but cannot tell any difference in performance. Quite em_bar_assed about the screw up, but it really performs well. Yes, I cleaned the solonoid filter on the rack too. Lots of new fluid (actually using Amsoil Tranny Fluid - same as in my Transmission). Been getting over 23 MPG, while driving fairly agressively, and normally cruise about 80. I've put on 42,000 miles since getting this beauty 14 months ago. :D
  9. I could never find any reference to changing the fuel filter in the maintainance schedule. Changed mine on my 96 LS at around 180,000 out of a guilty conscience and "traditional" thinking. (And after reading several posts about it on this forum). It's a "wet" job. The really weird thing is that I couldn't even find it on my 91 LS. It's definitely not just above the rear axle. Previous owner was charged for replacing it at around 60,000 mi, but not by a Lexus dealership, but an independant.
  10. My 91 LS does the same thing. 1/3 to 1/2 qt low, light comes on while cruising at times. Add oil to full, light never comes on for several thousand more miles. I did an engine flush before changing to synthetic oil. Started to replace the oil switch with a Napa part, but problem was "solved" by adding oil. Now, I have a light to tell me when to add 1/2 qt :-). I drive over 30,000 per yr on my 91 LS. It's GREAT. NTW EB
  11. Any more out there in CA??? My vibration problems are giving me fits on my 91LS
  12. Lot's of good threads on various solutions to solve vibration problems especially in the Gen I LS400. I've tried several and its getting expensive. Purchased my 91 LS400 13 months ago with only 70,000 miles, two owners and excellent records. From the day I picked it up in TX and drove to Atlanta, I've been plagued with high speed vibrations. Today I have over 105,000 miles so I've put on 35,000 miles in just over a year. I love this car. Also own a Gen II LS400 1996 with over 192,000 miles. There isn't any comparison in the two "rides". Immediately upon getting home, I bought both a lifetime balancing and lifetime alignment package from Firestone. The alignment (4 wheel) has been done three times and the 4th will be tomorrow. It was never obviously any problem. However the tires (Michleins, H rated) which came with the car, were never balanced satisfactorily after 6 or 7 attempts. Firestone did discover a bent right rear wheel, which I had repaired at a local speciality shop for $90. It's been fine to date. They also pointed out the split rubber boot on the same wheel. So, shopping for new tires. Ended up with Toyos Proxes from a local chain, Kaufmanns. I liked the performance of the new V rated tires and the price was just over $100/tire with 65,000 mi warranty. BUT again, unable to get them smoothed out at the 75-85 (cruising) range. The tire dealer balanced them about 7 or 8 times, with four different technicians. Still a whole car vibration starting just over 70 up to 90. Often after "throwing off" one or all of the weights. (of course they tried stick ons too, but still vibration) I tried the "sand pebbles" auto balancing inside the tires next. NO HELP. (You can see my "desperation"). :chairshot: So went to another local tire and brake specialist who removed the "sand pebbles" and did a pretty good balancing job, but the weights left within 10 miles. Back to them, and the other tech/manager, made them stay on. Still the same vibration. I have OEM chrome alloy wheels - original equipment. I've learned a lot about FN(S) weights and found two folks who could make them stick on, by bending the clips properly. Okay, changed the tranny mount - easy. No help. Changed the motor mounts - not easy. But at idle, cannot feel the motor at all. BTW, the old mounts did not appear all that worn. Still the whole car vibration at 80. Very annoying. Next, found a great shop - which is family owned for over 35 yrs, and they did tire truing and spin (on-car) balancing. I watched and asked lots of question and the weights stayed on. But, still a vibration. Now over 15,000 on these new tires. Here's a hint, I think. The vibration seems to be somewhat intermittent. It will "smooth out" acceptably for a mile or so, then get rough again. Doesn't appear to have anything to do with the load, uphill or down. In fact, I put it in neutral and coast downhill at 80 - 85 and the vibration doesn't change. The right rear axle boot is split and it may be getting quite dry. Discovered the split at the very first balancing job, Went to a Lexus specialist place and they suggested just ignoring it, which I did. I know that a lot of things "could be" the culprit but don't believe that I can afford changing everything that "might be" the problem. i.e., drive shafts, axles, u-joints, bushings, ball joints, shocks, differential mounts, etc. I think I've eliminated the motor and transmission as causes - no change while coasting in neutral. The fact that it is not consistant, leads me to suspect it has something to do with harmonic vibrations between left and right side components. (It's smooth as my 96 LS at 60mph.) But a rough ride at cruising speeds, which is most of my driving. Next step is to acquire the 10mm Hex to check the torque at 61 ft lbs on the axles. QUESTION: How would a Professional, (JP1 ?) go about checking out the the cause? There has got to be a "decision tree" type of procedure. Anybody have one or seen one? Thanks for reading this far And thanks for any tips.
  13. The procedure is the same. Did my two days ago. Tranny Mount is different part number and more expensive for my 91 LS (originally purchased in 9/90). ie #12371 50010 Motor Mounts are same part number # 12361 50100 Good luck. eb
  14. Don't give up. Kailash, you may very well need to "bleed" each wheel many more times than 3 or 4 to get out all air. i.e. right rear may have to do 10 or 15 times. Usually best indicator is change of color of fluid - old is darker. But if you let master cylinder reservoir get low, more air will enter the line and you must start all over again. The front lines typically are shorter and therefore take fewer pump - open/close bleeder valve applications. But from my experience, it takes many more than 3 or 4 per wheel. Three people would be ideal. One to keep the reservoir full at all times, one to "pump and hold" and you to open and close the bleed valve while watching the bubbles come out and the color of the fluid change to clear. Good Luck! EB
  15. Finished mine (91 LS, 104,000 miles) yesterday. Alas, the mounts didn't appear all that bad, but did have slight "slits" all around them. Glad they're changed. Still have a vibration at 75-80. Back to the balancing shop. Last job was nearly 8,000 miles ago, and although the weights remained on - the second time, air pressure was about 5 - 7 lbs low. Think I found a shop which does on car balancing as well as tire truing. There are two motor mounts, left and right. There is also a transmission mount on a smaller crossbar just below the gear shift. It's easy. BOB, Thanks again for the write up. Gave me the "courage" to "just do it". eb
×
×
  • Create New...

Forums


News


Membership