99lsguy

this is not normal........

YOur LS has a 5 yr 70k warranty on the tranny. I would make sure a mechanic / service manager sits in your car and you "duplicate" the problem right then and there before the vacuum pump service.

Now, that being said.........it could be the antilock brake system too.

How many miles on the LS and when/what was the last "complete" service....ie "30K service"???

Blake,

Do you have a manual???.........(I think you do....)

If not, I"ll email ya my stuff...............

Anyway, yeah - the torque specs are very little (65 inch lbs...for my 99)

and the filter was only 7 ft. lbs....

So....easy does it....

yeah SRK...........stay picky......

Depreciation works for you everyday!!!

I like it......

NO problem with a 135" wheelbase

If you run a search on the subject you should find more answers...

CanadaCraig comes to mind........he has a 93-94 LS and had the ticking....

He had Lexus do a valve job on it....$400.

just out of curiosity, do most of you guys just shut off the engine the second you put it into park?  Or do you let the battery recharge itself?  That can also help extend the battery life right?

From what i was taught, let the car run for another 30 secs to min with everything off... lights, heat/ac,  radio... n other stuff.

But then again... i never do that... too anxious to go somewhere. :P

←

I do that for only 3-5 seconds.........

IMHO, you want your engine to idle as little as possible........

I think you may be able to improve it with an oil-filter change w/ dino for 500 miles,

Then switch to syn / blend for another 1000 miles,

Then switch to Full Syn oil and see if this doesn't quiet the ticking.....

I say all the above for cost effectiveness & my customary logic. :D

At this point, if you're still not satisfied......go with the valve job.

Cold:

Intake valve clearance is .15-.25mm

Exhaust " " .25 - .35

Shims are available in 41 increments of 0.020mm from 2.00 mm to 2.80mm

New shim size (intake) = Old shim thickness + (measured valve clearance -0.2mm) -

New shim size (exhaust) = Old shim thickness + (measured valve clearance -0.3mm)

VGR,

I haven't answered your question because I'm not an engine guru , but

"wear" and "oil deposits" are my ideas of the cause.....

I've got the history of my 94LS, and it's clear that it needed a new battery every 2 years.  That's 10 years-five batteries.  Pitiful.  Just bought a new one last month.

But name me another repair that costs 50 bucks on a Lexus.  For example, I couldn't find the little rare-type light bulb that lights up the vanity mirror-Lexus dealer charged me 7 bucks for a tiny light bulb that can't be worth a dollar.  Except in Lenexa.

You are right-when in doubt, replace the battery.

←

TL94,

The battery I took from my 99 was the original "toyota Factory Brand"...so it lasted 48-54 months..........and now I put the 72 month Die hard in it. I"m hoping the thing will fail completely in 36 months so I can get a little rebate/ free replacement

I haven't figured my mileage manually, but I do suspect the readout is a little optimistic. If it is only about 1/2 MPG as yours is, the fuel ecconomy is still great. In town, I usually use my car for short trips (no freeways), where the engine just gets up to normal operating temperature. According to the dash readout, I have averaged between 18 and 21 MPG for city driving. I usually check the "Tank Avg." on the loaners I have gotten (ES330 & RX330) and have not seen better on the V6's.

Mike

←

Mike,

Fill the LS up this morning...... 437 miles @ 19.02 gallons = 23 mpg

The computer readout said 24.1 mpg so it's really about 1 mpg high........Avg computer speed is usually around 35 mph.

That's my typical everday city/hwy combo route.

Mike & Swo....,

What silicone did you use.....

I've been using the Preston Spray silicone......squirt it on a rag and then go at it....

I've always just done the top with the sunroof closed/sealed up......

Maybe I should use the tilt & retract to get the insides treated as well?????

Works great on the door seals also.

Those Hollywood detailers.........don't they make $1k or so a car for guys like Jay Leno, etc........

there is a little buttom at the bottom of the unit that tints the rear view mirror for daytime/nightime driving........ sometimes in certain temperature the tint shield will will be half way on and half way off, just hit the button and it should clear again.

←

Very clever Silvermate!!!

do you guys have the cone filter or the one you put into the same place as the oem round one?

←

vmf,

it goes in the same place as the OEM round one.......but......

It does have a slight "cone" shape to it - with an open top. Like a round trapezoid basically....

KN part # E2606

Penn State,

I don't think you have a lemon......although I'd be annoyed at the tilt wheel & such too........

With TLC your car should be just fine......

MikeP,

That is not good about your gasket, (or yours penn state)..........sounds like a manufacturing defect.....etc

I wipe a silicone based product around my sunroof gasket(s) in fall and spring to keep it as pliable as possible.......

Denny,

Ya know, I put one of those one the first week I had my 99LS. It's been 1 1/2 years now and I'm kinda thinking of just putting the OEM filter back on........

I think it's because its getting pretty dirty now (I've rotated it around every oil change) and I don't want to spend another $20 on the "oil refurbish" kit -or the time <_< ....Heck, I could just get a new filter for that price.

I'm kinda on the fence for this one..................

That tilt wheel can cause a grinding / shimmy........my 99 LS had done that maybe twice in the last 6 months (in the summer ). I does require a little grease along the sliding mechanisms within the column.

A lexus mechanic told me they just use good old ball bearing grease......

I'll get to that one when (if) it ever gets slightly more consistent - so far, so good.

You could just find the spot where you like it and turn the tilt/retract system completely off so it stays in one spot............ <_< but I'd rather see it work

So are these o2 sensors about $50 each........?

I'm not saying that's money to burn but---------------$100 to fix a part(s) that's 7+ years old would be no biggie for me..........

Why do you want the 91-94 model years..........?

That's a 11+ year old car and it will need service. I think someone just got a 93-95 model and put $5500 into it......now it is like new basically.

Like Bartkat says......give us your $$$budget and mileage......

I almost bought an Avalon........

I just didn't like the dash as much - otherwise we probably would have snagged one........

Agree with em91 on the rotors........

Also recheck the balance on all tires and check for roundness. The tire shop can do this easily... it is not uncommon for them to miss 1 or 2 wheels to be slightly out of balance / round. When you hit the brakes with a wobbly rotor, a slightly out of balance tire can exaggerate the problem.

Don't bother to go to the expense of having the electrical system or battery checked if the battery is over three years old - just replace the battery - they don't cost all that much.

←

Agree 100% Jim.........

That's precisely when they weaken B)

24 qts for $36.............?

That's a $1.50 a quart.......meaning Full price is $3.00 a quart

Is the math correct............???

I wish we had a Pep Boys around..........Walmart sells Mobil one for $4 a quart everday

I think there' just a short in the switch....

THey are just trying to sell parts!!! I agree the motor is fine....

I'd keep on using it like you are.....just hold the switch in the up position. Go to an auto electrical repair shop and get their opinion.

HOw's the Avalon ride compared to the LS??

98,

I bought a Sears die hard.........

Some guys don't like them though.......

I think is 48 month......with 550 cca's. They'll pull up what you need on the computer - but check the owners manual, it should say.

Make sure its the same size though!!!

You could check into local Toyota dealer......mine was the original from factory and I could have swapped it out that way.

Real Estate..............

Man, you need an LS................