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eatingupblacktop

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Everything posted by eatingupblacktop

  1. Hey everyone, Been away for a while and have missed the LOC activity. Got an email that's prompted me to say a few words. It's been a tough time for us since early summer. At the end of May we lost Chelsea. She was family and we were fortunate to have had her company for 13 years. We had her father before her. So we've had dogs in our family for about 19 years. Any of you who have lost a pet know what kind of hole it leaves in your life when you lose one. Chelsea was a faithful companion on many an adventure. She was as sweet, loving and intelligent as they come. As an example, (and I don't want to dwell on her in this forum, but his is an extraordinary dog) she came up to me one time with that stare that tells me she has to go or she's hungry. I was in the middle of watching something on the tube, so I didn't respond right away. She didn't give up and lie down to wait until I'm finished with whatever I was watching like she would normally do. This time she came close and gave me a paw. Ok, got it, she definitely has to go. Alright then, I head for the side door to let her out, then turn around to fnd she's not following me. One thing I had taught her (another sign of her intelligence) was to "Show Me" whenever I couldn't guess what she was trying to say. So I said "Show Me". Immediately she headed for the kitchen checking every 10 feet to make sure I was following her. When we get there she stops at a closet at one end of the kitchen. This closet has all of her things in there. One by one I pull out her teddies, then chewies, then brush (she liked to be brushed - you know how females like to take care of themselves), all in vain. There's nothing left except her shampoo and I was sure that's not what she was after. I was going to give up and close the door, when she nosed me (pushed her nose into my leg - which means "try harder"). Ok, since she's so adamant,I'll give it one more try. I look around to see all that's left is her shampoo and nail clippers. As soon as I pick up the clippers, she barks then goes to lie down in the middle of the floor - the usual routine when I do her nails. The whole while I'm trimming her nails I'm imagining her wondering what took me so long to figure her out. After all, she gave me her paw! If we're the more intelligent species, how come they can understand us better than we can them? About a month later I lost a close friend to liver cancer. Way too early. The leader of our rowdy group in college, we partied hard, studied hard and for years after, worked hard. Always stayed in touch. It just wont be the same. And life never is. It's been a while since losing them and I'm starting to appreciate all the good memories. I know this is part of life. This is my first experience of how bittersweet life really is. I had planned to visit Roy last spring (we live in different cities about 2 hrs apart), but biz postponed my plans to the fall. When I called to arrange the trip, his wife told me he had passed. I have Lennon's phrase, "Life is what happens while you're making plans" as part of my signature. I have never experienced exactly the meaning of those words until now. I have spent the last while getting in touch with as many friends and relatives as I can. The wife and I are finally able to go for some of those daily walks we used to take with Chelsea. She's even suggesting names for our next dog. I'm not ready just yet, but by spring, who knows. I've visited you guys from time to time and had wanted to jump in on a number of occasions, but realized I really didn't have the time to participate. I miss the interaction. I wont be posting much for the next while, but I''ll be there in spirit and maybe in the new year I'll find the time. Take care everyone, all the best for the holidays, and drive safely.
  2. Gentleman SRK, Heartfelt sentiments indeed. I hear ya about "accusatory and nasty" responses to someone's genuine attempt at helping with a members prob. I've read such posts at other forums and have often been amazed that their mods don't step in to provide some decorum to the proceedings. Has happened here as well, but not for long before Steve or SK step in to straighten things out, close the thread or even ban the member. These incidents only serve to alienate those members who would otherwise contribute to the thread. So do OP's who post a prob, get plenty of good suggestions, then disappear. No further posts, or resolutions, leaving all who participated hanging in the wind as to how the prob was resolved. Discourages many members from answering until they can see the OP interacting with the responses to his thread. Let me conclude by agreeing with the previous comments that you are well respected by members of this forum and most appreciated by all those who have benefited from your advice. Keep up the good works. We all thank you and look forward to your continuing contributions.
  3. YES, mine is just one click at a time, with each key turn. we (my nephew) are going to pull it out this weekend. Billy, check the starter relay.
  4. Free beer & $$$ is always an incentive. Having worked on the car for the past year, you know what's waht and is also a good incentive for buying. Just a reminder when bleeding to keep an eye on the reservoir level to make sure you don't introduce air into the system.
  5. Props for sharing this resource. Works as you describe. Welcome to the club!
  6. Come on DC, live a little! Just think of all the crowds you'll attract with "dem 26ers" They be taking pics all along your route! TMZ will profile your escapades! What more could a Lex driver ask for? ummm ... let me think ... ...... maybe 28s and a lift kit?
  7. Not to mention checking for leaking seals etc. Welcome aboard StlL!
  8. Welcome to the LOC! Since you mention that they have been like this from day one, it may also be that you're just not used to Lexus brakes. Try feathering brake application with a very light touch to start, then modulate progressively. You might find yourself getting used to them after a while. Can also compare with another sc. If after a comparison or after having someone familiar with the sc test drive your car, you determine that they are indeed grabby, then there are some things to check out. Assuming there's no contamination of the pads from oil, grease, brake fluid etc, you don't have ceramics, the rotors aren't badly scored, and you have no sticking/loose calipers, my guess is you have a faulty power booster or vacuum check valve. Vacuum lines could also be leaking or damaged. A corroded master cylinder bore could also be a cause. Start with the cheapest test, check the pads and go from there.
  9. Good tip, hadn't thought of that! The only thing I can say is that there is no SES light on and that the car tends to smell at idle. It runs completely perfect otherwise with no hesitation anywhere at any throttle position. Also I noticed that if I shut it down when warm and start it right back up in about 15 seconds, it starts up fine, but if I let it sit for more than a few minutes it does what I first posted. A failing coolant sensor could cause a hot start prob. Could be a faulty fuel pressure regulator. Could also be a faulty cold start injector or time switch - or a faulty ecu timer for the injector. Another could be leaky injectors. You could pull a plug to see if it's wet after the first shutoff. The smell could be a poor connection with an injector to the manifold. The hard start could even be an efi relay prob. Your symptoms aren't necessarily connected.
  10. Yes, nice tutorial indeed, complete with the service manual sections. Haven't been to lexls lately. Good to see it there. I especially like the reference to "blood stains on the next photos". I mean what's a job worth if you can't stamp your own dna on it! That's really personalizing it. :P
  11. Here's a link to an exhaustive thread on the issue of vvt and rotating the crank 50 dg etc: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls400/495229-notes-on-timing-belt-change-95-96-a.html
  12. I have a gs300 1998, i just bougtht 22 inch rims, 8.5 wide, with 245 30 22's and went to put them on yesterday and they did not fit, BECAUSE they hit the A-arm, so now i am going to try and put spacers on it,too see if that will work, in turn i also have to get longer bolts. i will let u know how it goes, i am trying to avoid having to lift the car if at all possible. I am planning on cutting out the splash guards and other objects in the way. Dude I have a 99 gs300 on 22. N I only had to cut some wheel well guard. Goodluck n my wagon wheels look great on my lex. One more thing get some spring spacers. Not sure what the correct term is but they go on the back set of spring so u don't rub when u go over the speed bumps u need a set for each side IMG_0559.JPG Dude stop fuuckn round with 22s dont be doin a halfass job n doit rite with killer krom 26s like thees: aint nothin so kool like lookin overtop o the lowriderz!
  13. If you're not ready to punch it up with your local dealer, or you're not as convincing as Landar, there is another way to get a discount. Ask the shop where you have a good relationship and which does work on your car when you don't want to yourself, to order the part for you. Dealers always discount parts for local garages as long as they provide their mechanic's licence # when placing the order. Typically a minimum of 15 - 20%. You can even pick it up yourself and save the delivery charge to the shop. Yet another is to scout this forum. There are online shops who advertise here or are mentioned in any number of threads that will discount oem parts. Some of them are even Lexus dealers.
  14. I'd be careful with generic discs. Make sure they're not the crap from china. Otherwise, one heavy app of your brakes and they'll warp before you release the pedal!
  15. Ask the tech to show you the corrosion before going ahead with any resurfacing. A bang at less than optimum pressure can break the seal enough to cause a slow leak. Likely a clean and reseal will be the fix.
  16. This might help: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/EFI/throttlebody.html
  17. Following up on B's comments, once you've found the offending part, I would check the circuit wiring to ensure the insulation is intact. Do some resistance readings. Make sure there's no connection/activation of components that should be on other circuits. As mentioned, shorted wiring can cause all kinds of failures. Replacing damaged/stressed wiring is the safest course for an older vehicle.
  18. With as many cameras as they have in that part of town, I'd be surprised if the perp isn't nabbed soon. I'd also be surprised if your post isn't being scanned. Use any of the triggers and the bots are on it as soon as you click send. As for motive, in addition to foreign wack jobs, we do have our own home grown versions. Each comes with his own agenda. To determine what dwells inside the minds of these sick bastrds is the challenge of the day! I saw the clip of the guy who called it in on the news tonight. His comment was "If you see something, say something!" Good choice of words.
  19. Paying more and getting less, and oh yes, waiting 3-4 mths? Double yowza! I respect Ketch's ight to do what he wants with his money. It's the math that has me scratching my head.
  20. If this is a twice in a lifetime occurence, I wouldn't be too concerned. But knowing how fastidious you seem to be, and having the desire to be on top of things, this will likely eat away at your peace and quiet if you don't find out the cause. Before starting all sorts of tests you could do, see if there are any codes you can pull. Too early to say there's a ghost in the machine ... more likely cosmic rays!
  21. Exactly right! Top Tier fuel at a busy retailer & 1/4 tank minimum should extend the life of your new filter!
  22. Missed this thread. Happens. Nevertheless, I have a neighbour with an A4 and a friend with a Q7. The A4 is a very stiff car. From the suspension through to the seats. On the otherhand, the Q7 is a vehicle I would consider buying myself. Every feature you would want. A great ride, good performance, more room than others in this class, etc.... Nevertheless, the history of this storied marque leaves much to be desired. Have you ever noticed which brands have burned out tailights/brake lights? The rep is that as long as you have a warranty and don't mind your car in the shop for days on end, by all means buy the "Ultimate Driving Machine"! A disclaimer at this point ... I have owned a bimmer with (surprisingly) no issues! Mind you I doubled up on the service schedule to avoid issues. I also have neighbours who have an A4, S550, M3 and a Q7 with no issues at all! This is obviously not the norm when it comes to the reputation of German cars. Love the performance of any of the German marques when they're in peak mode! However you really have to love the brand to put up with the maintenance issues that accompany the mistique. IMO, if you're a diy, an M5 is a machine that's worth any time you might have to put in to keep it in top form!
  23. Unless you do a UOA, you're just pi$$in in the wind! Same old, same old ... very very old!!!! Sorry to bust the party, but this has been hashed to death! :chairshot: Here's just one thread of too many. Read up: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=741
  24. You know Python, I'm not feeling the "COMMON ISSUES" pinned threads for this section. To find anything on this topic, you have to skim through far too many unrelated topics. This is such a common prob that keeps getting posted relentlessly, I don't understand why the mods haven't dedicated a pinned link to a merged thread on this topic. Anyone else think it's about time? Wadaya say mods?????
  25. Louder is no prob. More power is a different story. Your idea for gaining power is about the same as using oversized injectors without adjusting fuel pressure, or using premium in cars designed for regular. The extra octane just drains your wallet with no benefit to performance. If you're interested in mods, think interms of systems rather than individual components. To change engine breathing that makes sense, you'd have to consider intake as well as exhaust and make sure the changes are compatible. Take some time, design the mods you want to make to ensure you get the performance you want and not waste your money or create probs.
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