99lsguy

Blake, I just washed and waxed w/ collinite today....added a little tire gel and... I agree - she looks beautiful! 99

Here's a link to all the upgrades starting in Gen III (98-00). New VVT-i engine, 5 spd trans, refreshed exterior & interior.....etc... Antenna is now in back glass....one less thing to go wrong ;) Blake, I'm dying to see those new interior shots!! I know they'll be awesome :D 99

Yeah Richard, If you still feel the LS is strong and got several years ahead.....$500 is no chump change but it will get you a new belt, new WP, and protection for another 130K One thing I noticed: last January, I went to indep Lexus shop and had them replace the fuel filter. A messy job, and glad to spend $100 for the filter and labor to watch someone else do it. I had done everything else DIY on the 60K. Anyway, I was done right at lunchtime and I overheard the mechanic he was getting ready to do a "90K" on the other LS in the shop after lunch. The guy was very professional/sharp so I kinda assumed he was going to "knock" out this LS in 4 hours (by 5 pm) - they charge around $1100 for the 90K service -so, the point being, good mechanics can get it done in far shorter time than they are planning on "charging" you!!! ;) As of right now, I lean towards paying someone.....but in 2-3 years (when I get to 90K) - I might just try to tackle it with the LOC Brain Trust by my side 99

445, Welcome to LOC and congrats on the LS What year and can you give details of aquistion and previous maintenance. I use Amsoil synthetic and filters....but recently picked up (five) of the OEM Toyota/Denso filter #20004 from Toyota - made for the LS 1uz-fe engine. A lot of guys use Mobil One syn. and their filter too. 99

Are they usually $90+ an hour? I'm guessing they're planning on 6 hrs labor for this.... ;) Sounds like a pretty good deal....with WP, idlers, tensioner, rotors, etc...you could get away with $700 for the entire service..............I would buy it in a heartbeat!!! 99

worn lower ball joints, tie rod bushings....... The main thing is to look for regular maintenance receipts: Oil changes @ 5k coolant, brake, transmission,&diffy @ 30K 99

yeah, its just cooling down....my LS doesn't do this ; but my wifes' Toyota Sequoia "pings" quite a bit on occasion... Not to worry.... 99

The 60K for my LS400 runs $580 @ dealership... The service is basically all filters & fluids: Oil & filter Tranny Pan drain only (2+ qts) Diffy Gear oil change (1.43 qts) 80-90W Brake fluid flush coolant drain and fill Air filter Cabin Filter Fuel Filter I did it all myself except for the Fuel filter.....a messy job....indep lexus shop changed it for $95...well spent as I watched the procedure! So, I did it for around $230 total and saved $$$$. Now, your service may include new plugs. (mine aren't due until 90K). These are very DIY'er also....but you need a torque wrench. It also may include the TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, and their peripherals....This is a major job and you should be experienced for this!!! Get a printout from dealer on exactly what they do and see what you think you could do....know a friend who is mechanically inclined to help.....??? But, if you're not sure about it....go to dealer or indep shop ;) 99

lexie, yea, if we could come up with a device that would "lock" like the cap we'd be in business!!! 99 ps - I used clear 3/8" I.D. hose and used a brass male coupling to attach with the return hose - no leaks and I was pleased :D

No commercials and only $12.95 a month!!!! 100+channels I think this is a good deal! Great job on the install - now you can move in to the maintenance services So the wireless transmitter allow you to use the tuner on the radio??? 99

You need to download the engine codes............ Go to Autozone, they will do this for free!!!!! Let us know the codes.......... Maybe the MAF is still going wild....disconnect battery for 10 min and reconnect...wild guess but won't hurt anything <_< 99

Monarch - thanks for the info! ( you must be a scientist or something ) Lexie, About the Honda - yes, they do make a specific trans fluid! Most Dex III ATF are labelled and Exclude Honda on their list ;) Honda's are a little particular......... On the PS flush - I wanted to attach a tall, clearish, plastic pitcher ( holding a quart or two) that would attach to the reservoir and seal tightly (like the cap). This would have been much more efficient than just filling the reservoir alone and having to "bump" starter and refill so many times.......Then I could just watch the fluid level slowly fall down until it got to reservoir level and turn off motor!! I didn't think the funnel/tape would create such a good seal! That's great Did it "seep" at all around the reservoir? Run down the side? Anythng? I didn't want to take a chance on losing 1/2+ quarts all over the engine compartment I'll try this (or similar) next flush - Thanks!! 99

Those drain plugs under the block are easy to get to if you have a pair of ramps. Just loosen and the coolant will flow out the aluminum tubes (very nice). I put clear plastic tube over the draincocks and directed old coolant right into gallon jug Then fill engine block first with 50/50 mix. Top off radiator & reservoir. Turn heat on full tilt and warm engine. top off as needed..... Monarch, your method is a good one and even easier :D - good preventive maintence is key to long engine life!! 99

Well, your baby is 13 yrs old, maybe those hoses just ruptured or have created small, pinhole leaks that are blowing PS fluid under higher rpms? 99

Monarch, No one carries that stuff around here ;) Anyway, I'm glad I changed it. Have you done any research who supplies toyota with their oil? 99

Put a jack behind each front wheel and rais up just off ground. loosen the PS cap and slowly turn steering wheel lock to lock couple of times check PS fluid (at the cold mark) and add a little if needed - DEX III ATF keep cap back on but loosely so more air can escape start car, and repeat "lock to lock" wheels turns a few more times. Then re-check PS level, reseal reservoir cap and test drive.... If your fluid is more than 3/4 years old I'd flush it out ;) 99

Great advice checking on the trunk wiring harness....definately check that!!! How about the service history of the car......for 340K......let us know the details please. Thanks, 99

It looked more "clear" to me....w/ a brown tint . It looked mostly clear on the dipstick (aside from the brownish deposits on the dipstick). I assumed it was undyed ATF. I didn't think it was that dirty...but it was a fluid that had been in the vehicle from the beginning (4 years): and according to my philosophy, this is a fluid that needed to be changed regardless of "color". Believe me, If I could find this magical toyota ps fluid I would have put it in....it is not available!! It only comes from the factory this way, and the dealer does not have it. They have no idea what I'm talking about. The Lexus and Toyota dealer flush the PS with some sort of WYNN CONDITIONER/ FLUSH system - they use stuff called "PS Fluid" - it is not Dex III equivalent. Can you show me a bottle of 'Toyota PS Fluid' (that is Dex III or equivalent)?? 99

So.... is the leak more around the reservoir/ pump area (passenger side) or under car - around the PS Gear/rack assembly? I also don't understand what you mean by "spotting in the back of the car"? 99

Good for you!! You're right - people have no idea you paid less $ for the LS than their newer Camry, Accord, Subaru, or whatever! Enjoy the ride! 99

Just thought I'd let you guys know I did the PS flush (per K9) last week.... Everything turned out well :D Just be careful and tedious "bumping" the starter - I actually started the car once but immediately turned off - no problem. I used valvoline maxlife Dex III ATF - 2 quarts. I will probably re-flush again this fall just for the fun of it I do believe this will remove any remaining "gunk" in the system! I've already noticed the little "dipstick" has been cleaned off somewhat buy the new fluid - so I'm very encouraged!! After re-attaching the return hose and filling the reservoir, I lifted the front wheels off the garage floor with jacks and turned steering wheel lock to lock several times. I then started the LS with the cap "loosely" on the reservoir and went "lock to Lock" several more times with the front end still on the jacks. Made sure the fluid was at least touching the "low" side of the COLD mark and went for test drive. All checked out OK and I topped it off. :D Next time I'll keep the front end up the whole time as turning the wheel alone helps pump out the fluid . I used a clear tube (as suggested) so I could see it "flowing" over the fender - I just put milk jug on floor and fed tube in it....(be sure to secure the tube so it won't fly out during procedure and get ATF over your floor!). Tube was 1/2 inch O.D. and 3/8" I.D. Thanks again K9, Chuby, VMF, and others for all the discussion and technique!! 99

This kind of attitude is @ the heart of LOC - I love to see it My dad told once me that other kids (I was young then, :D ) may be: smarter than you stronger than you faster than you have more $ than you, etc, etc... and there would always be people that use these "cards" to get under your skin because they (unfortunately) don't have enough self confidence and/or taught wrong values in life (even now as adults) - I was always good enough for my parents, and that's good enough for me. If you inherited the LOTTO or something, you'd really find out who your friends were <_< No one person is BETTER than anyone else - but it would be nice if we could treat one another "Better than Ourselves" 99

I think you got a great deal!!!! I opted for a 99 w/53K miles and paid $8k more....in retrospect , the 100K LS is just as solid as the 50k one, so you saved a ton! The car has such a great stature.........it will always look very expensive and classy if you keep it well groomed You think like most of us do here at LOC..... New Accord/Camry for $22k or used LS with more room, power, class, etc for LESS :D We've all worked hard for what we have, it's a shame others view things differently as they don't understand the economics and value of the used LS <_< Swo is right, most people are just weird about seeing the "L" on the grill - no matter what year!! 99

Found a diagram for it..... You loosen the tensioner by turning it Counter Clockwise....this will relieve the belt tension and slip it off. Install is reverse It's point # 6 (Remove Drive Belt) in this tutorial about the PS Vane Pump....for illustration! 99 remo.pdf

The Serpentine Belt..... The one you see in front of the engine. runs off the driveshaft and keeps the PS, AC, Alt, etc running. It's easy to replace, the belt probably runs around $30 or so