90LS400Lexus

Thanks. I actually took the car to the local Lexus dealer today for a oil change. They said that the transmission fluid was very dirty and highly recommended a change. They also said that my "v-belt" was cracked and also recommended a change of that. They quoted me a price of $56.95 for the transmission service - (whatever that all consists of - change of fluid in pan and filter ?) and $39 parts for the belt change and $76.00 labor. I am going to check prices elsewhere for these things.

I had an appointment for 3:00 for the oil change. I dropped the car off and walked over to their Toyota dealership and looked at the cars over there- particulary the 4-Runners, as I am considering the purchase of a 1996-1998 4-Runner. I went back to the Lexus service waiting room about 30 minutes later- only to discover that the car was still setting at the same spot. As I entered- they quickly announced to me that they was taking the car back at that time. The initial change only took about 20 minutes. They could have at least offered me a loaner car. They must not do that at my local dealer, as I always see people just waiting in the waiting room, unless they have no where to go. :D I will probably just take the car to a closer Toyota dealership, rather that the Lexus-Toyota dealership that is 25 miles away. My local Lexus dealership has the same service dept as the Toyota dealership. Probably a lot cheaper as well.

Thanks again for the replies.

Thanks for the reply. I will try to get that changed ASAP. Did you car also have a vibration between 40-60 mph? I am thinking that problem with my car is something else. I am going to have the alignment checked, as some have said that was the problem. Thanks again.

bico-lini --i have no idea who's used what kind of oil in my car, and there's prolly a better htan 50/50 chance they've mixed types. i know the latest round was synthetic. what kind of leaks are we talking about? wondering if that had anthing to do with a recent valve gasket cover leak...thanks.

I think the dealer uses "Toyota" oil. I have no idea who makes it for them however. I actually have an appointment tomorrow to take my car to have the oil chaged at the dealer. It was $26 for a oil change, but they informed me today that it has increased to $33.

do you have all seasons or summer tires as i doubt you have winter tires.

A bag of salt is also very use full for added weight and can cmoe in handy if you are stuck in the snow also.

As well as dropping the pressure in the tires for added traction ,but then reinflate them once it gets clear as the car will drive funny

SK- I guess I have all season tires- I will have to check. That is the typical tire here in the south, because as mentioned- we do not get that much snow. About 19 inches of snow per year here in the hills of northeast Tennessee on average. However, over the past few years, we have been lucky to see 10 inches of snow for the entire winter. I remember that last winter, we did not even have 3 inches of snow all winter. It was all rain, which is very common for us more than snow in the winter, but usually more snow in there than we have had- which is fine with me, as I dislike the snow after Christmas has passed, but we usually do not get snow until January.

I can relate to the weather your describing in the south as I just left Dallas area last Saturday as it was snowing. Being from Minnesota, I didn't consider this to be the event of a lifetime, but when the rain/snow starts freezing in TX, you better get off the road!!!

I drive in snow most of the winter and don't really have much of a problem in my LS. Traction control definitely helps for take offs; however, not much else.

I do use 2 40 lbs of water softener salt if having a lot of snow for additional weight and have used Blizzak snow tires which are the best!

If you were driving on ice, then not much can help.....NOT even the glamourized AWD vehicles. I do have Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires on my LS now which I really like!

Good luck and let's hope for warmer weather soon :)

That was unsusual, as Dallas only averages 2 inches of snow per winter. That is the same system that gave us our unusual "heavy for us - 5.75 inches) of snow. Even parts of northern Mississippi got 7 inches of snow. Now most of our snow is gone, and 62 degrees and thunderstorms are forecasted Friday. Expect anything here in the southeast in February. :D

Still ooking for help.

Take the car and have stock springs and stock OEM Toyota struts installed. That should solve your problems.

It is 1997.  He is unsure what is going on with the strut assembley...as am I.  I have a general understanding but the only think I can come up with is a bad right rear.  As for the left rear...I need to fix the right first. 

Folks...I have to tell you that once I get this noise issue fixed...this upgrade will make your Lexus handle like a charm...if you like it that way.. It reminds me of my 1997 Honda Accord EX.  Just allitle tighter....but imagine a 5000lbs car with a the tight Honda suspension...Can't wait for the NO2 next week.

I still want to cry!

Ironically, the 1986-1989 and the 1990-1993 Honda Accords have rather soft, supple suspension. Can actually get quite bouncy at times. Still- they are very comfortable cars. The 1987-1991, 1992-1996, and 1997-2001 Camrys also have a soft, supple suspension- if they have the OEM struts/springs. The 2002-2004 Camrys seem to have a much firmer suspension, as well as the 1998-2002 Honda Accords. Not sure about the dampening of the suspension on the 2003-2004 Accords.

The 86-older Camry and the 85-older Accord have a little tighter suspensions.

I will keep that in mind about the sandbags if I have to drive it in the snow, but hopefully this will be our last snow of the season. After all was said and done, we now have 5.5 inches of snow! The most we have seen at one time in several years! Not to mention it is a heavy, wet snow, as temperatures are in the mid 30s. The best part is that we are supposed to be 55 on Wednesday, 58 on Thursday and 62 degrees on Friday. :D

I have always recommended factory OEM Toyota/Lexus struts and springs. I have heard bad stories about these HP aftermarket suspension parts.

More info later.... running late.

Also- I have heard to NEVER wash a HOT engine while it is not running. If the engine is HOT, leave the engine on while you spray it. I have heard that spraying a hot engine while it is off can cause the engine to crack. I cannot say for sure, but that is what I have heard over the years.

Luckily we do not get much snow here, but we did today, from that same system that brought 4 inches to Dallas, TX, Shreveport, LA and over 6 inches of snow to Ripley, Mississippi and now a heavy, wet snow here in parts of east Tennessee and western North Carolina and northern Georgia. I would say that we now have 3 inches of snow here. This is the first snow that we have had on the ground here in several weeks. When we do get snow however, it is rarely on the ground for more than a couple of days.

Well, here is my story:

When I left earlier, it was only rain, with temperatures in the upper 40s. Then, about an hour later I had to go back out and it was just changing over with heavy sleet, but shortly thereafter the snow flakes were the size of golfballs. No salt trucks anywhere, as I am guessing that they were not expecting this. Within minutes, the roads were white. Even in the city limits, the roads were snow covered. My Lexus was sliding all over the place when I would accelerate- even lightly, not to mention that I have new tires.

On my way back when I got onto the state highway to my house, I passed salt trucks. By then it was back to slush and luckily I made it back up the hill to my house, without even spinning (suprising) and back up my driveway. Needless to say I was wishing that I had of taken my FWD 92' Buick, which goes well in the snow. As mentioned- luckily we do not get too much snow around here.

Thanks. No, they did not do an alignment and I was only charged for the strut replacement. They said that they did not have that capability. The car was aligned (4-wheel) about 10 months ago, but I guess that went down the tubes when the rear struts was replaced again when I bought it. I never took it to have it re-aligned, as I never got a definite answer as to whether or not I needed a rear wheel alignment. If this is causing the vibration, what could be going on to cause the vibration? It really seems to me as if it is the drivetrain causing it, but I could be very wrong. Hopefully this is the problem. I will try to take it this week to another mechanic that I take my cars to and let them check the alignment. That way I will know for sure. Thanks again.

O K. You cannot check the oil by removing the oil cap. There is a dipstick there on the left side of the engine that you pull out. If I recall, it is yellow. Park the car on the level, with the engine off.

Probably the valve seals. No big deal for now, unless it gets really bad.

I have never cleaned the engine on my Lexus, but I have before on my 1980s Camry's and Accord's. Never had a problem with the Camry's but the Accords ignition system is sensitive. The car would stall for a while until it dried out. Perhaps the way that the plugs are positioned on the 80s Accords was the culprit. I would say as long as you do not blast any of the electrical components or firewall with water, you should be OK, but I would wait to someone that has actually cleaned the engine on their LS400 to key in and give you their input.

I guess I'll count myself as lucky as my 90 with 135000 has no vibrations. It had a very slight vibration around 80mph when the tires were brand new, but as they wore in, it went away.

You are lucky. It seems very strange, but I do not recall my Lexus having this vibration when I first bought it a few months ago. Seems like it got worse when I had the OEM Toyota struts replaced on the rear. Is it possible that they did something wrong? I have no idea what however. I tried more of my own little tests and it seems like the vibration is worse under accelerations. I am going to try to take it this week to Lexus dealership or somewhere, as this vibration is very annoying.

Thanks again for the replies folks.

If i recall- there is no wind noise in my 90 LS400 and the 95 LS400 should be just as quiet. I am guessing a bad door seal over there. Check it closely.

I have a piece of a weather stripping seal missing on the front corner of the left rear door on my car. I cannot hear anything though- as the doors are double sealed.

I am really impressed when I go to the car wash and no water leaks in the car. I cannot say the same of my 92' Buick (rear window leaks, with the high pressure spray), my 89' Pontiac (leaks, leaks, and more leaks- but these cars are well known for seals drying out fast). I think my Taurus is still leak free though, but it is 6 years old though. The Lexus is 14 years old. I have never known any of my old Camrys or Accords having window leaks. Pretty impressive.

I would try doing a "search" for this on here. I think I have read of others that have done this.

Good luck.

I have not talked to my uncle yet to see where he takes my aunts Lexus over in Raleigh. I do know that they bought it at Johnson Lexus in Raleigh and that may be where they take it for service. I think it rarely needs anything, other than routine maintainence.

As a side note- I do not live to far from the northwestern North Carolina state line. I live about 55 miles from Boone, NC- which is in the high country of upstate North Carolina. We are at a much lower elevation here in Tri-Cities, TN though- as we are on the other side of the spine of the mountain.

In reply to 93LS's reply- I have heard that Flow Lexus was a good dealer.

Good luck.

I have a question and think it may be starter related. When I first start my car of the morning- as soon as it starts and I release the key- there is a continueing sound for about 2 seconds. It sounds like an electric motor running or something. It never does it again throughout the day. My starter sounds fine. Any clues?

Also- when I first start it in the morning- there is an occasional low toned "popping" sound that occurs in 2-5 second intervals from under the hood for about 45 seconds.

Any clues on this?

I am assuming nothing major, as it has been doing this for a while and has not gotten any worse.

My aunt and uncle live in Raleigh, NC and they have a Lexus LS400. I will ask him where they take my aunts car.

Hey Blake!  That's not an odd ball blue colour, that car is the exact same as mine!  There were a lot of them in that combination sold in Canada.  I see it has the Trac system as well, which all Canadian cars had.

I think the colour is great, and the interior looks good too, especially against the walnut trim.

Whatever gas I use, it gets 22 MPG imperial in town, and around 30 on the highway.

I didn't mean anything bad by it being odd; I guess I was thinking more of rare! I actually really liking the color! BTW, do you know what this color is called? Blue? Gray? Yep...it has the trac system and heated seats which I like! Being used to my front wheel drive, the knowing the trac is there is good if I ever press the gas to hard in the rain!

Thanks for everything guys...keep it comming!

I think what is odd is that it has heated seats and "TRAC", but it looks like it lacks the sunroof option. Does it? I really can't say 100%, but it looks that way in he photo.

Thanks for the input.  That will probably be my luck.  I will have thousands spent on this before I get it repaired.  I am going to try to get it checked this week.

Just so we know, how many miles on the vehicle and what service intervals for ATF & Diff fluids..

Thanks

It now has 226,800 miles. Not sure when the fliud was changed. It was a 1-owner car, but they did not keep all of the service record.

Perhaps a weak fuel pump or clogged fuel filters?

Not really an answer, but my uncle is FURIOUS that a Nissan tech decided to smell up his brand new 2003 Nissan Frontier 4WD Supercharged crew cab truck. It only has 17000. He bought it new and it has been in the shop for a vibration for at least 1/2 of its life. They out 800 miles on it just driving it to see that the problem is. Tires replaced 4 times, wheels replaced twice, new rotors, etc. Still has a bad vibration. He had to pick it up, as his 2nd truck broke down. After all of this- he was really livid that they trashed the interior. What is the matter with these people? They did not even give him a loaner, as he took it to another local Nissan dealer- that he did not buy it from. The dealer it was bought from could not fix it, nor could the 3rd local Nissan dealer. Odd, as my dads 88 Nissan truck, with 260K has no vibrations.

Good luck with your problem. Be sure that the dealer techs do not treat your car like their own.