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I have a customer who recently bought a 92 ES300. The a/c is empty. The local Lexus dealer said they don't do retro-fits, especially on this model--that it's too expensive. (They still have r-12). Does anyone have any experience with retrofitting this model? Please respond to my e-mail address, and, thanks! Paul Smith P & A Smith Auto Inc. Cary, NC pasmithauto@nc.rr.com

We fixed the above vehicle last month. The exhaust manifold is double-walled--the inner and outer walls are welded together at the head flange--the inner pipe broke loose and was rattling in and out about 1/8" . welding it back in place fixed the noise...

Hello All, I have this '96 ES300 (my first asain product, and I'm impressed. So impressed that I've added Lexus to my Volvo line here at our maintenance shop. My wife wants some nice, gray, formed rubber floormats for the front. Does anyone have any experience with a particular brand or type?Thanks, Paul Smith pasmithauto@nc.rr.com Cary, NC

Hello GS300 owners: One of my customers brought his car in with an engine knock on #1 cylinder, on acceleration--it sounds like a rod bearing. The car has about 65 k on clock. Not sure all the oil changes have been done--he says yes, they have. Has anyone out there had any problems with this engine? Thanks! Paul Smith P&A Smith Auo Inc. Cary, NC pasmithaut@nc.rr.com

I have a customer's '98 GS300 that has a cabin blower problem--the blower won't run. It will run if you straight wire it. Only codes we get with Mastertech is for solar sensors (because they were not getting light). The voltage on the signal wire from the A.C computer to the blower speed controller is only .5 v. Seems it should be between 1 and 3 v. But, we put 2v on the line and it still wouldn't run. Any thoughts? Paul Smith pasmithauto@nc.rr.com Cary, NC

Thanks for the reply. I probably will have to fix this one. New lock is about $350, installed. If you want to know what fixed it, e-mail me in a couple weeks. (My dealer stocks it, so it must have a regular turnover) --Paul Smith Cary, NC pasmithauto@nc.rr.com

Hello Fans, In our shop we have a '99 RX300 with a door lock problem. When trying to lock the front doors using the remote, the locks "twich" and rattle, but can't pull down into the lock position. The rear doors do fine, and it locks fine with the key. We have the wiring diagram from the TIS site, but on initial reading. we don't see any component that affects just the front doors. Hoping someone else has seen this problem and fixed it. Thanks, Paul Smith pasmithauto@nc.rr.com Cary, NC

Hello Folks, My shop has bought a Mastertech and many books and we're servicing Lexus cars now, in addition to Volvo. So far it's been fun. We do run into problems because Toyota doesn't release their parts info (descriptions/numbers/prices). We have to describe the part to the Toyota parts desk and they send us a faxed blowup, and we try to choose the part. I wonder if anyone has found a way to cross-reference Lexus/Toyota part numbers? Thanks! Paul Smith opasmithaut@nc.rr.com :D

Hello: We work on Volvos here, but are starting to take in Lexus. I have a new customer who wonders if there's a relatively inexpensive way to repair/replace the top LCD panel on her center console ('91 LS400).? --appreciate any info on dealership alternatives here... --Also, she says her h :( eadlights no longer turn off when she opens the door. I guess we'll track that one down when she comes in. Paul Smith /cary, NC opasmithaut@nc.rr.com

JPI, Thanks for the advice!. We've done part of that--guess we better do the rest.Is there any way to keep it from recurring? Thanks! --Paul Smith P&A Smith Auto Cary, NC opasmithaut@nc.rr.com

Hello, I just bought this '96 ES300--very nice. I knew it probably had oil clogging, so took the oil pan off when I got home. Man, was it a mess! Scraped it clean, soaked-cleaned oil pump and re-assembled, using Maxlife oil. In about 1,000 miles oil light comes on--pulled pan again and oil pickup clogged again. So, cleaned it again. Light came back on. Now we've removed the valve covers--what a mess! Anyway, my question is: does anyone have a diagram showing the oil passages in this engine--I can't find it on the TIS site. Also, has anyone tried unclogging one of these without tearing it down? Finally, what causes the buildup? Is the PCV system too weak to keep the crankcase clean? Thanks for any advice! --Paul Smith P&A Smith Auto Inc. Cary, NC opasmithaut@nc.rr.com

Hello Lexus owners: One of my customers has a '92 LS 400 with 122,000 miles. He thinks the timing belt is original. Does anyone know when the belt should be replaced? Does anyone know about how long they last? Thanks --Paul Smith Cary, N.C.