Martin from Phoenix AZ

Hey all! I just got my car back late last week after getting a rebuilt engine installed. The car had been out of commission for a few months while I saved up and found a place to do the work at a somewhat reasonable price!! I couldn't believe what people wanted to charge for that job! At any rate, I found a place here in Phoenix that did it for me. They did a fully rebuilt engine, including towing from my house about 15 or so miles, and it took about a week for them to do it, even though they HAD the car for 3 or so.. I had told them to keep it as long as they needed to as I didn't need the car anytime soon anyway. I don't really know if I am allowed to do a "commercial" for the company, but if anyone is in the Phoenix area and is interested in a place to take your Japanese car not just Lexus, email me and I will give you their info. The whole bill was $1508.00. Martin

I am still looking for some new interior parts for my 92 ES 300.. Anything up through 96 will work I believe. Seats, carpet, armrests, inside door panels, dash, etc.. need everything to change mine from blue to tan/beige/cream color.. I assume Lexus only has one of this kind of color right? Thanks! Martin

I have a 92 ES 300 that probably needs a new engine, or rebuild this one. I would appreciate it if any of you who are in the Phoenix area and might be willing to assist in this, or can point me to a good mechanic who might be able to help, please let me know! I am in the process of trying to find an engine now. If you have one, or know of where I can find one, other than a JDM off Ebay, I would appreciate that information also. THANKS!! Martin Chandler

It is off the road, now parked. I don't think the engine is blown (though not SURE!) It wasn't smoking or anything, it might have been a bit warm but not totally over heated. I looked at the anti-freeze it appears ok. Haven't looked at the oil yet, but will replace before driving again anyway after this is all done. I figure I will save the shims and measure them. Replace what needs replaced. What about the springs etc. UNDER the shims? Could it be one of them that is broken? I think what ever it is it is in the rear bank of cyls. I have a question also. Once you take out the overhead cam, how do you tell how to get it back exactly as it came out? My mechanic quoted about $1400 to do this job, which I DON'T have! I would like to do as much as I can myself, I have done engine work on other vehicles just not Toy's/Lexus. Chevy mostly. And nothing quite this major. Toysrme257th, can I trade emails with you directly? I don't log on to the forums but about once a week, I check emails daily. Thanks! Martin I guess my question for you is how do you KNOW if its blown up? And what do you MEAN exactly by that? I don't see how the iron core can go bad. The pistons should still be good along with the crankshaft, those don't go right? I have never heard of them going.. Rings yes.. but its not smoking (except at startup and only then a little bit..) It wasn't consuming oil or water, so don't have any reason to believe that they are bad. NO leakage of fluids prior to this, so the various gaskets etc. should be pretty much OK I think? I did take off the cover on the front cams and noticed it was somewhat cracked in the corners and seemed dry and brittle, so they will both be replaced at minimum besides what ever major mechanical needs done. I have a source for new heads, so will be calling him. By the way, do any of you know if there are any members of the forums in the Phoenix AZ area? THANKS for all your help guys!! This forum is not only great, its INVALUABLE! Martin Chandler AZ

Well TIME is one thing I have.. (Not driving it but would LIKE to!) Money is what I DON'T have! :( :( I can turn a wrench fine.. just not a frequent engine mechanic. It is interesting you asked about the oil coolant thing.. When I got home the very last time after a drive, and it was hot, the overflow coolant tank dripped some coolant, and there was some oil in it I could tell that. Obviously both will have to be replaced. No problem. I will get a powerflush kit and run lots of water through it after draining the radiator into a bucket to catch what comes out. I can do oil change too. My main concern is getting to the valves and heads! That seems like a real chore.. Is it not as bad as I think? Once off, is it best to take the heads to a mechanic and have them do the rest? The car did also smoke a little after starting but only for about 10 to 20 seconds.. Basically just one good size cloud of grey/black, smelled more like fuel than oil, but could have had oil in it too. What about valve seats/guides/seals? Where to get them, sizes and cost? I don't mind ordering all the parts, taking it apart myself and letting the mechanic check out the valves, replace seats/guides etc.. THANKS for your time and input! You can get me direct at maxwell679@cox.net if you like. Martin

Hey all! I just found this great group!! I have a 92 ES 300 with about 146000 on it that I bought 2 weeks ago. Everything was perfect on it, in fact I drove it over 300 miles on a trip to Tucson and back last week. Then earlier this week, while driving the freeway at normal freeway speeds (about 70 mph) I started hearing a rather pronounced knocking from the engine. Also when I stop at a light the car stalls. The knocking is really pretty loud. I am willing to bet from everything I have read that its a bad lifter. Also the car seems to be running hot even though the temp guage never moves much past the first bottom line (about 1/4 up.) Sometimes after a run, like the trip to Tucson, it leaks quite a bit of anti-freeze. I refill it and its fine again for a while. Also this is all with AC on. It ran GREAT on the Tucson run before all this started! I need to know the best place to buy new lifters from, (I figure if I am there, might as well do them all!! I don't want to repeat this!) Also any technical part details, things like that. I have a service manual on its way. I am fairly mechanically competent, though not a pro by any means! If any of you have done this sort of thing, or had it done, I would appreciate hearing from you! I can't afford the over $500 to have someone do it. I could almost buy an engine for that, I have checked! Thanks! Martin

would be $10 x 8bulbs whereas, I bought each LED bulb for approx. $2 each for 8 bulbs and I have pure white instead of yellow background. Which EBAY dealer did you get them from? And what are the actual part numbers you used? I would also like to do these on my 92 ES 300! THANKS! Martin