PDT

I have a 2001 LS430. Hear a couple of popping sounds when I open the driver door all the way. Would this be the "check strap" needing replacement. If not, any other suggestions on how to make the popping sound go away. Thanks!

I have a 2001 LS430 that just hit 120K miles. Manual says it's time to change the spark plugs. What type of plug do I buy to replace the originals. Thanks.

The Toyota dealership is saying the oil on my 2001 LS430 only needs to be changed every 6 months or 5,000 miles, whichever comes first. They said the same for my 2008 Toyota Highlander Limited. What's driven the change and do you still change the oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles on your Lexus. They do not use synthetic oil. Thanks.

The Toyota dealership just serviced my LS430 and replaced the wiper blades. The blades use to be quite when working however, since they replaced them they squeak when they hit the top of the windshield area and start the return down and when they hit the downspot and start to go up again. They replaced the new blades however, I have the same problem. I know this is little issue however, it drives me nuts, especially when the old blades were completely silent. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

It ended up being a Bank 2 oxygen sensor. Cost $350 to replace.

I recently purchased an 01 LS430. It just rolled over 100,000 miles and the check engine light came on. I called the Toyota dealership and they said it's probably emmission related since the car is driving perfect. Is this typically the oxygen sensors for a car with 100K miles. Thanks.

Last year I purchased a 2001 LS430. When I would be slowly rolling forward in traffic (i.e. at a drivethrough window or heavy traffic when you're just inching forward a little at a time) I would notice the brakes squealing each time I applied them. During stops of normal speed driving there was no squeal. Two shops, including the Toyota shop, checked the front brake pads and said there was plenty of pad left. However, they both said the squeal would continue unless I installed original Lexus pads. I did that and that solved the problem for appr 4 months. Now the squealing has returned. The Lexus pads are in great shape and both shops are dumfounded. Any ideas on what could be causing this or what I need to do. The car has 95K miles. Thanks.

Thanks for all of the feedback on my original question. The Toyota dealership replaced the timing belt, serp belt and the waterpump on my 01 LS430. Cost was $730 plus tax.

...As for doing the service at 90000, that would be your call. I did mine at 110000, but that's just me, I figured they have to be made to go past 90000 miles if their scheduled to be changed every 90000 miles, but I don't recommend that you use my theory...

I agree that the 90K interval is conservative. The records on my new-to-me 94 LS400 show the timing belt service at 125K. I think the previous owner was pushing it a bit, but no harm no foul. He took a chance I probably wouldn't take. However, I tend to agree that 100K is pretty safe.

[Lexus repair shop quote]

"Unless you are having a problem with your timing belt at 90,000 miles we recommend waiting until 100,000 miles. You also don’t want to just replace your belt. Here is what we replace when we do that job: Replace waterpump, timing belt, idler bearing, tensioner bearing, camshaft seals, crankshaft seal, thermostat, related o-rings and antifreeze. The price is $1200.00 + tx."

Hey Aggie,

Just curious, did he indicate the parts and labor costs separately? Although I'm far from needing to do this service as it has been only ~9K since it was done, I have a good side mechanic here in the Austin area who is very reasonable. I would just like to get a feel for the general parts/labor quotient.

The qoute is $400 for labor, $57 for the timing belt and $61 for the serpentine belt. All the parts are coming from Lexus and the labor from the Toyota dealership.

Where is the engine air filter located on a 2001 LS 430 and how difficult is it to replace? Thanks

I recently purchased an LS which has similar mileage. I emailed a local shop in Dallas which is an exclusive Lexus repair shop - not a dealer. They told me that it does make sense just to replace the timing belt. Here is what he said

"Unless you are having a problem with your timing belt at 90,000 miles we recommend waiting until 100,000 miles. You also don’t want to just replace your belt. Here is what we replace when we do that job: Replace waterpump, timing belt, idler bearing, tensioner bearing, camshaft seals, crankshaft seal, thermostat, related o-rings and antifreeze. The price is $1200.00 + tx."

Hope this helps.

Thanks, that's very helpful

I purchased a 2001 LS430 8 months ago with 80K miles. It now has 90K miles and has driven great however, I don't know the maintenance history of the car. I was told at 90K miles I should replace the timing belt so I was planning to replace the serpentine belt also. The Toyota dealer quoted a price of $117 for the 2 belts from Lexus and $400 labor. My questions are 1) Is 90K miles the right time to do this 2) does the price seem reasonable and c) do you go ahead and replace the water pump also when you replace the timing belt. Thanks.

Some of the chrome around my LS 430 has either water spots or car wax embedded on it. I've tried some Turtle Wax chrome polish and Big and Tar remover however, neither seems to help. Does anyone have some suggestons on what's worked to clean chrome. Thanks !!!

I purchased a 2001 LS430. Can someone tell me how long the warranty is on the original paint? Thanks.

I have a 2001 LS430. When I turn my car off, and the steering wheel starts to automatically move in (i.e. away from me), it makes kind of a rough sound. Any idea on what causes this and how to repair it. Thanks.

I've noticed the same noise when it's very hot......or very cold outside, so i assumed it to be common. silicone lubricant on the plastic gear mentioned did the trick

Thanks. How do I get to the plastic gear to put the silicone lubricant on it.

I have a 2001 LS430. When I turn my car off, and the steering wheel starts to automatically move in (i.e. away from me), it makes kind of a rough sound. Any idea on what causes this and how to repair it. Thanks.

I've purchased a 2001 LS430. I was wondering what the warranty is on the original paint job by Lexus. Thanks.

I have a 2001 LS430. When I cut the car off and the steering wheel moves in it makes kind of a rough sound. The sound goes away if you cut the car on and off a few times. Any suggestions on what this may be and if it's expensive to fix. Thanks.

I purchased a 2001 LS430 a few months ago. I cannot get the driver/passenger cupholder on the middle console to stay shut. Everytime you push it in it wants to pop back out. Any suggestions. I'm hoping it's not part of the entire middle console and you'd have to replace the console itself. Thanks.

In my 2003, the cup holder is pretty sensitive, popping back out about 1/3rd of the time. Try pressing harder, softer, more to the left, more to the right, etc.

Good luck.

MotionMan

Thanks !!!

I purchased a 2001 LS430 a few months ago. I cannot get the driver/passenger cupholder on the middle console to stay shut. Everytime you push it in it wants to pop back out. Any suggestions. I'm hoping it's not part of the entire middle console and you'd have to replace the console itself. Thanks.

I acquired a 2001 Lexus LS430 from a Toyota dealership last month. This is my first Lexus. Overall the car was in good condition. I have had problems with 2 items. First is the paint. The car is navy blue and each day I notice there's more small paint chips on the vehicle. I've waxed the car and use a little rubbing compound to remove some water spots. Does anyone have any suggestions on why the paint is chipping off in small little dot type spots? Is this a problem with Lexus paint? Second is the front brakes. When I'm stopped and roll forward slowly the brakes make a loud sound as I apply the brakes slowly. My mechanic said the pads are new however are cheap and the only way to stop it is to put Lexus pads on the car. Any suggestions...especially why the paint is chipping and scratching so easy? Thanks.

Paint is chipping on the side doors, hood and top of car. I did have the car detailed with a high speed buffer to remove water spots.

I acquired a 2001 Lexus LS430 from a Toyota dealership last month. This is my first Lexus. Overall the car was in good condition. I have had problems with 2 items. First is the paint. The car is navy blue and each day I notice there's more small paint chips on the vehicle. I've waxed the car and use a little rubbing compound to remove some water spots. Does anyone have any suggestions on why the paint is chipping off in small little dot type spots? Is this a problem with Lexus paint? Second is the front brakes. When I'm stopped and roll forward slowly the brakes make a loud sound as I apply the brakes slowly. My mechanic said the pads are new however are cheap and the only way to stop it is to put Lexus pads on the car. Any suggestions...especially why the paint is chipping and scratching so easy? Thanks.