OneGuyInCA

I found some instructions on how to tighten the AC/Alternator Belt http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-first-generation/272697-photo-diy-4-rx300-ac-alternator-belt-adjustment.html. But if I'm replacing this belt, my question is: 1. Must the Pivot Bolt get completely removed in order to remove the belt? or does it only need to be loosen so that it can pivot when turning the Adjusting Bolt? 2. Is the serpentine replacement absolutely necessary or have some been able to do this use conventional drives/sockets? The difference I see here is that the tool is much much skinnier:

Is it pretty easy or straight forward to tighten the belt? I would be willing to attempt that.

Thanks! I know it will definitely be cheaper at our Toyota shop. The big difference between Toyota and Lexus is that Lexus will give out a loaner at zero cost which could equate to a little over $100 in free rental. With a pregnant wife, both of us working, two kids, and a hectic schedule, the loaner is EXTREMELY convienient. Why this topic is coming up in urgency now is that on cold weather starts (32 degrees or lower), I can sense and suspect that one of the belt is slipping (squealing noise), causing the charging voltage to drop from a steady 14.4 volts down to 11.X volts. I have a volt meter tool plugged into a lighter socket that gives me the reading. As soon as the squealing noise comes on is when the drop in voltage occurs. All is fine when temperature warms up and the car is driven for a while.

I went by the Lexus dealer to talk and they corrected me that there's no serpentine belt but two drive belts (v belts I suppose) plus the timing belt. Thanks for the caution on the tranny fluid. Since it now an 11 yr old car, I will probably pay to have the transmission fluid completely drained and refilled. They quoted about $310 for that service alone (which includes about $110 worth of fluids and the rest labor).

Hi folks, I am in need of some advice/suggestions. I have a 1999 RX300 with about 94,000 miles on it. I would like to keep this vehicle for another 6 years at least. Since I only drive about 9K miles a year, that would bring the vehicle to about 148,000 miles. I just got off the phone with my local Lexus dealer and this is what they recommend for major service: Timing Belt Drive Belt Serpentine Belt Water Pump Spark Plugs Total for the above 5 items is $1179. And the are in there with everything opened up, if changes are needed (and highly recommend by them) Idler Pulleys $89 x 2 = $188 Cam Seals $223 THEN... coolant transmission (drain and fill) differential brake fluids (was done a month ago) power steering fluids Total for the above fluid change is $657 Total between all is ($1179 + $188 + $223 + $657) $2,247 What do you guys think of both the cost and items listed given my scenario???? They will provide a loaner for about 3 days while this work is being done. Is it possible to get it done cheaper elsewhere?

I tried to start the car this morning and it wouldn't start. It would go tick tick tick tick. I checked the battery with a volt meter and it read less than 11v. I installed a new Duralast battery. Did a reading on the new battery without the engine running and it read 12.8v. Started the car and with the engine running, did a reading again and it came back at 13.7v. Can someone confirm that these values okay/normal? I'm trying to determine if it's the alternator or that it was truly the old battery that wasn't holding a charge and needed replacement. This is on a 2007 GS350 with about 52K miles and original Lexus battery.

I recently purchased a used 2007 GS350 with 52K miles on the odometer. I also purchased the extended service bumper to bumper coverage for 3 years (unlimited miles) at a cost of $1800. I average about 8K miles a year. So in three years, I expect to put roughly 24K miles on the car. Now I am thinking about canceling this bumper to bumper because I feel the risk of needing $1800 in repairs on the car over 3yrs/24K miles is relatively low. I'd like anyone's opinion on this. Good decision? And how many out there had to do major repairs between 52K-75K miles? What are they? Thanks!

cal dealer has one on the lot for sale. It's an 2007 GS350 Fully Loaded with everything on it Black Outside Black Leather Inside 53,000 miles on the odometer Listed price by the dealer is $29,989 Carfax looks clean Here are my questions. What would be a good price to offer for this? I'm thinking $26,500? Also, is an extended warranty recommended for this year/model/vehicle?

Need to replace the rear brake pads on my wife's '99 Lexus RX300. Does anyone know if the piston caliper needs to be rotated while being pushed in? Or can it be pushed straight in with a C-Clamp?

Your directions and pictures became real handy for my when I did this on my wife's '99 Lexus RX300 over the weekend! Thanks! Here are several things I found can improve this DIY. 1. Rather than risk losing the washer that sits on the thing that looks like a pencil (You see it when you remove the black plastic piece), remove the entire throttle unit first.... take it out... then remove the screws to take out the black plastic piece. 2. Use latex gloves to help with the clean up (which I see that you use in your pictures... but I think it's worth mentioning). 3. Instead of cutting the ties that keep the wires together, I opted to use a flat head screw driver to pry out the plastic clip... making it reusable when assembling. Thanks again!

Links to the pics are broke!

That's what I was thinking to... the three screws and I should be able to lift it. Someone who did this before can verify. Anyone? Please? Someone?

The kit costs $39.99 from harbor freight but they have sales. I was able to get the kit for $19.99. Works on a number of makes (Toyota, Audi, GM, VW, etc) SK... you mentioned that you did a writeup on changing the brakes on your ES. I tried searching for it but i can't find it. Can you help? Thanks!

What did you guys use to retract the rear caliper pistons? Did you use the following kit from Harborfreight?

As the topic states... how do I get to it (to clean it that is)? I got my throttle body cleaner and I'm ready to rock and roll. I took some pictures... and I thought I'd ask for help before I do anything. PICUTRES: This picture is a wide view of the IACV that's located underneath those two hoses you see. A close up view of the two hoses shows two screws which I know will have to be removed. This picture is behind the air filter housing. There's a hose connecting to it. This forth picture is from oldrx300 which shows what I would like to get to. So... here are my questions: 1) From the pictures, can someone tell me what are the steps I need to take (removing screws, hoses, etc) to get to the IACV? 2) In the second picture, you see a hose clamp. Are those things reusable? If not, what sizes are they so that I can go get some and be prepared to replace them when I do remove it? Thanks in advance!!!! :)

So the Idle Air Control Valve... hmm... seems possible. SK or anyone... where is the IACV on the 99 Lexus RX300?? And what should I use to clean it with? Easy to get to hopefully? If anyone has a pic of this control valve of the RX300... that would be great! If not... I can volunteer to take pictures when I get to it on my wifes car. But I need to know what I'm looking for first! HELP... anyone?

Hello. My wife's car (1999 RX300) starts but goes dead after it starts which leads me to believe the battery may be suspect. It only does so every so often. So I did a meter check. The battery is registering about 12.3volts. With the engine on (when I do get it to start), the reading is 14volts (What the alternator puts out). I don't have an owners manual nor do I have the repair manual to check but here are my questions? 1) What SHOULD be the voltage reading for the battery with the engine UNSTARTED? 2) What SHOULD be the voltage reading for the battery with the engine STARTED? 3) If I disconnect the batter to replace it with a new one, will there be some recoding (keys, stereo, etc) that needs to be done? Can someone help please? Thanks!

Wow... ok.. thanks for the info. Next question... the reason I need to remove the headlight is because I was planning on upgrading my fog lights to brighter ones. I was thinking that removing the entire headlight housing is the only way to gain access to it. Is there another way to accomplish this task without removing the headlight housing? Thanks!!

Can someone with the "factory service manual" scan me the pages where it shows how to remove the headlight housing? My e-mail is OneGuyInCA@comcast.net Or if that's not possible... can someone tell me how I can go about doing that? Much Thanks!

Anyone done their own oil change on the RX300? What type of oil do you guys use? What's recommended?

Great! So an english version service manual for the 1999 Lexus RX300 does exist! So what's the ISBN #'s for both the books?

Just bought my wife a 1999 Lexus RX300! Now I'm in with the club. Since I like to do most maintainence on cars on my own, I need to find a good quality and informative service manual for my wife's 1999 Lexus RX300... in english of course . What's a good one that you guys are using? ISBN por favor? Thanks!!! and how much too?