LSshadetree

I run mine on fully synthetic 5w-30 Texaco Havoline mainly because it's only around $20.00 for 5 litres from a UK supermarket chain.

Having said that it has only done 60,000 miles from new.

As for the oil leak it sounds from the position as if it could be the sump plug did you replace the copper washer on it when the oil was changed?

just got it back from the shop across the street....not a lexus shop, but a mechanic i generally trust, only he wasnt there today, and his stand-in and I didn't have the same wave length...it felt like asking a Dr. who was in a big hurry what a corotid artery was.

NEWS:

It needs the lower oil pan gasket replaced ($20), and they also said that it needs a new halfshaft....the guy who looked at it said "it looks like it's been spraying fluid for a while now".....something they missed when I took it in the day after I bought it.....so I'm torn.....thinking about taking it to another place for another look.....

The PS pump has a non essential plug just above the alt. If the pump is off it's easy to remove and plug. Otherwise, it's a PITA to get to, but can be done. Be sure to remove as much fluid as possible so it's below the Alt. I used a suction device which looks similar to a grease gun and sucked out the old fluid. Then, get under the car and there is a canister like piece on the driver's side of the rack assembly. Carefully remove it and clean out the screen inside. A good bit of fluid will come out of the rack. Now, fill the pump up with new fluid and while the car is running turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to get out all air. You can also fill the resivoir and leave the cap off overnight and a good bit od the air will escape. There are DIYS at http://www.lexls.com/ . I did these things and have no problems!

Like I'm telling everyone, you cannot tell there is anything wrong with the car except for the brake light not lighting up in the back and the parking brake light randomly coming on.....it had lost 1/4 of a quart of oil over 600 city miles during summer in Vegas, so obviously the leak is small, but while I never noticed it being a constant drip, the mechanic who told me it was 1/4 quart low said it was a steady drip......

Guys, I'm torn here. I think a second opinion is in order, i'm thinking about trying to bribe a Lexus tech to give it a good once over, as I've said before, I want this car to last.

Funny thing: I've always liked Lucas products. They work. They don't void warranties. I bought a bottle of oil stop leak that you use in combo w/ your oil and this place advised against it, but even more odd, was that they advised against what I thought might be a genius preventative maintenance idea- put a bottle of power steering stop leak (guaranteed to stop leaks) in my PS reservoir, and, voila, no issue with leaky power steering pump.....but this seems a little too simple.....

(note: i have no leaky power steering right now....just trying to prevent it from when it apparently happens....but there's also about a 80% chance it already happened with the guy who put the 1st 155,000 miles on it)

Oh and steve, TYVM!!!! I turned my CD's faceup (or down, w/e), and I had beautiful sweet music in my car again! Brother if you're ever in Las Vegas I'll buy you lunch!

Also, what would be noticeable about the halfshaft when it was ready to giveout? It's only a $100 part, but I can't change it myself....probably cost me $200 in labor......I'm just not that mechanically inclined....nor do I think I have the tools....but I'm wondering about changing it, and whether it's something that you should wait until there's a noticeable difference in driveability before replacing.....I had a leaky rear end on my 07 tahoe when it was damn near brand new and put 30,000 more miles on it (mostly b/c I didn't think it needed to be addressed until I could sense some distress in the way it rode)

Guys,

HELP!

Signed,

Paranoid owner of a soon to be 170,000 mile car

Bump for news:

Took it in for a 2'nd opinion and this independent mechanic said that my lower oil pan gasket needed to be replaced. Okay, so both independent mechanics agree on this one.

But this mechanic said that the entire half shaft didn't need to be replaced. He didn't go into great detail but he said "you could replace the halfshaft now, but since it's not even vibrating and the leak is so small it's not mandatory.

Opinions, please.

I had the same problem when I first bought my '95 used. Turned out for me that the problem was driving with the moon roof partially open- I thought that at the speed I was going the water wouldn't get in-duh!

Just pulled the plugs in the bottom of my swimming pool, let it dry-and DIDN'T DO THAT AGAIN!!!

Three years later I have a NEW problem. Seem to get a leak under or behind the back seat left hand side, and on the carpet. Anyone else ever have a problem with that? It's happened even when I let the car sit- I didn't leave the window open!

I'm in the process of pulling out the seats now to let them dry....

Another ? I've found the 2 front drain holes for the sun roof, but don't see where the additional holes are. Could someone tell me???

Thanks,

Maddog

ps- No trace of water or staining on roof liner- Leak has gotta' be oozing from somewhere else...

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'95 LS400 210,000 miles. Daily driver, runs like a clock. 2nd tranny though.

'88 944 Guards Red Porsche Turbo ("Lucille") with chip and boost enhancer. For sale (alas).

'89 944 Red Turbo S. ("red haze"). My track car...can't keep 'em both.

1Maddog, my drain holes were completely stopped up when I bought my 93LS400. First I boiled water on the stove and slowly poured it in the front holes and they started draining. I did the same by elevating the front of the car and poured hot water in the channel since you can't see the drain holes. Then, I got some Clorox Cleanup and poured it in each hole/channel and flushed it out after a couple of minutes. Man, they drain like crazy! As for water in my trunk, I removed the upholstered side panels, located the clear drain hoses and replaced them with new ones about 2 " longer just to make sure they weren't leaking or overflowing into the trunk. I also flushed out those air/water vents on both sides above the small wells. Now, if I can only completely seal my tail lights. Tried silicone + new rubber washers around studs, but still a small leak!

I have somewhere for the Pioneer changer will have alook for it asap.

Thanks!!! That would be really appreciated.

Does anyone have a schematic for the 1993-1994 LS400 CD changer?

I'm back after an extended absence, My 93 LS 400 had a trunk leak after hard rains and the CD changer won't work. My LED shows a "load" message and eventually an "ERR" message. The cartridge won't eject, but the door opens. Can anyone in the Club fix them or have any ideas? If dash instruments can be repaired, I don't know why changers can't be repaired from used or fabricated parts. I even would buy a new (used) changer if anyone has a good one. HELP, I have no music.

I'll see if I have a changer for you. Sounds like water damage, Can you confirm water damage ?

Yes I think it was water damage from water buildup in trunk.

Well, I'm totally frustrated with this changer. I took it out, popped the top and found how to release the cartridge. There's no apparent corrosion or water damage while looking with 7X jewelers glasses, but still no go. Now that the cartridge is released, the radio won't even recognize the changer, yet I didn't do anything but release a small arm to activate the release. These must have been made by Lucas! I hope you can find another. Isn't there anyone who can trouble shoot these from a schematic? Thanks, Carson

I'm back after an extended absence, My 93 LS 400 had a trunk leak after hard rains and the CD changer won't work. My LED shows a "load" message and eventually an "ERR" message. The cartridge won't eject, but the door opens. Can anyone in the Club fix them or have any ideas? If dash instruments can be repaired, I don't know why changers can't be repaired from used or fabricated parts. I even would buy a new (used) changer if anyone has a good one. HELP, I have no music.

I'll see if I have a changer for you. Sounds like water damage, Can you confirm water damage ?

Yes I think it was water damage from water buildup in trunk.

I'm back after an extended absence, My 93 LS 400 had a trunk leak after hard rains and the CD changer won't work. My LED shows a "load" message and eventually an "ERR" message. The cartridge won't eject, but the door opens. Can anyone in the Club fix them or have any ideas? If dash instruments can be repaired, I don't know why changers can't be repaired from used or fabricated parts. I even would buy a new (used) changer if anyone has a good one. HELP, I have no music.

Hey All: I had a similar issue with my 98, when I purchased it at the end of last year with only 23K miles. At first, I had no idea the trunk had any leaking issue. I noticed a musty/moldy smell whenever I opened the trunk up, and it was irratating as hell! The inside smelled pretty new for a 10yr old car. I ended up tearing apart the trunk to figure out where it was coming from. First I checked the water vents (not sure if thats what their called, but they basically let water drain that may get in from road), on each side to make sure there was no clog. Then I sprayed the car from the outside with water down the cracks on the trunk. Sure enough, one side was leaking and going to the bottom via the side wall. I went to Home Depot and bought some silicone, and siliconed the entire seal/lining back onto the car. Let it dry, and after a week tested it out again to make sure the leak had gone. Took me over 2 weeks of spraying the trunk with lysol and cleaning the entire area by filling up a spray bottle of bleach and water, to get the nasty smell out. Thank God the smell left and the trunk is dry! Good luck!

My 93 LS400 leaks somewhere around the tail light area and mysteriously travels through the back panel below the trunk lid. There is a small wiring harness that runs across this panel. My leak is through what appears to be one of several tiny vents below this harness. I can see where it traveled to the wheel well and to the right side well below the changer. need to find the leak spot is around the tail light.

The other day I switched the radio to the AM band only to discover its all static. The FM band works great and 99.9% of the time my radio never leaves this band. Any clue as to what would cause this issue? Almost like there is no antenna attached.

I'm far from expert, but check your antenna. It should go all the way up on AM and it self adjusts on FM. I wish I could get my antenna to fully extend on FM, I have poor reception. Maybe you need to look for another radio, I haven't found a site to repair them or the CD changer. Check dcfish.

Did you use Toyota Type T-IV transmission fluid, and an OEM transmission filter?

Only Type IV is to be used in the LS tranny.

And it's recommended to NOT use a "power flush" type of machine.

A Mobil1 tech told me NOT to use their replacement fluid in my 93 ls400, 150,000 miles. He said if you use it at lower miles when nearly new it's ok. He suggested staying with oem to avoid the possibility of burning out clutches.

I replaced my antenna on my 94LS a few years ago, and it works great. But the "Scan" button catches about 2 stations total. And I live 10 miles from downtown Las Vegas, and underneath the main antenna base on Black Mountain. So I think it may be a glitch, a minor one, as you said, since we can set the station manually. Best of luck.

That was my problem until I reinstalled these bolts on the CD changer and bracket! I can only think that it was a ground problem. A couple of bolts showed corrosion.

I don't think you've done any damage...

I don't know why but many toyota dealerships use PS fluid instead of the recommended tranny fluid in the power steering resevoirs so it shouldn't be the end of the world. Flushing it again with the correct fluid won't be a bad idea.

I used Mobil1 ATF in my power steering unit on my 02 GS3.

Thanks, I don't think I got too much fluid in the system because I didn't run the car much between sucking out the fluid in the resevoir and refilling. Today I went back and did the same, but with Dextron II, using two quarts and now the color is correct and I should have flushed it fairly well. I need to clean the solenoid, but it's just too cold for me now, and then I can do a proper flush and replace the low pressure rubber lines. I appreciate the reply! Carson

I have a 1993 LS400 I bought last year and the antenna wouldn't fully extend. I just bought a new Lexus antenna and had it installed by a competent mechanic. It fully extends, then retracts the second to last section which ruins my reception.

I never watched the old but I suspect it did the same thing. My mechanic said he installed it three times and it did the same thing each time. The original owner doesn't remember ever having it replaced. Can anyone help me with this? I searched the old threads, but didn't find this particular problem. Many thanks, Carson

I removed and replaced the bolts holding the CD changer and bracket and the reception got much better! I'm going to try cleaning up those areas that contact the body and then put dielectric grease on those points and the bolt threads to see if there could be a better connection. Thanks for all the replies!

My PS is making a whining type of noise and checking posts, many people suggested flushing the fluid. I forgot to check which type of fluid and drained the resevoir about 6 times and added power steering fluis and Lucas PS conditioner. I've driven the car about 250 miles and plan to do a real flush today. How bad have I screwed up? I only put about two bottles of PS fluis in with the old fluid which was bright purple. Is this a Toyota color or does the color show problems? Help please!

I thought I'd pass this along. I had problems wirg really bad radio reception. I replaced the CD changer last year and have been listening to it. Recently I replaced the Antenna, but no help. When I replaced two broken bolts folding the CD changer, I must have corrected a bad ground because now it's much betrer. I think I'm going to go back, clean all surfaces where it attaches to the body and spread some dielectric grease to the points and the threads of the bolts to see if it improves more.

hi everyone

has anyone replaced the power antenna with a regular antenna on a LS?

i dont want to pay $300 for one...i need the motor too.

is there any way to get a antenna that screws on?

There is an excellent tutorial here http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/audio/powerantenna.html and you can bite the bullet and buy a new Lexus motor complete along with a new mast for $300.00 here http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...p;siteid=213808

I just found out that the factory motor is unique to the radio on my 93 LS400. It has an amplifier and self adjusts it's height for the signal strength. I don't think you will have any luck with an after market screw on. Either take your chances with a used on from a reliable junk yard, ask about one on this site, or buy the new one. Or, do as we did in the 60's, hang a small transistor radio grom the rear view mirror.

There is an "auto antenna" black box which not only controls the antenna height but I believe also has an amplifier to provide better reception I think it is located in the same area as the antenna.

Thanks Steve, do you think it's an amp. attached to the antenna motor, or connected to the main system amp.?

Steve, I didn't read your post well. I'll look at the area next to the motor for the black box. Thanks, Carson

There is an "auto antenna" black box which not only controls the antenna height but I believe also has an amplifier to provide better reception I think it is located in the same area as the antenna.

Thanks Steve, do you think it's an amp. attached to the antenna motor, or connected to the main system amp.?

Mine does the same thing in my 95 LS400 - i have to say that is one of the strangest features iv'e ever seen.

Do you get good reception? I have good station signal strength here, but the scan feture won't pick up almost anything. I have to manually search for stations and they generally come in weak. Carson

I have a 1993 LS400 I bought last year and the antenna wouldn't fully extend. I just bought a new Lexus antenna and had it installed by a competent mechanic. It fully extends, then retracts the second to last section which ruins my reception.

I never watched the old but I suspect it did the same thing. My mechanic said he installed it three times and it did the same thing each time. The original owner doesn't remember ever having it replaced. Can anyone help me with this? I searched the old threads, but didn't find this particular problem. Many thanks, Carson

Mine will do the same and adjust it's hieght to the station strenght. It will usually go down a bit more when it is on an AM station. Try changing stations and see if ti adjusts itself in height.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I tried AM then FM and it does adjust, but for some reason my reception is still lousy. Maybe you or someone can help with that. Thanks, Carson

I had a similar noise which turned out to be a fan bracket bearing seizing. $300.00 towing + $700.00 parts and labor. Replaced Serpentine belt, idler pulley, tensioner, fan bracket, hoses and antifreeze just to be on the safe side. But, I too have that low whine in the tranny summer and winter.

I have a 1993 LS400 I bought last year and the antenna wouldn't fully extend. I just bought a new Lexus antenna and had it installed by a competent mechanic. It fully extends, then retracts the second to last section which ruins my reception.

I never watched the old but I suspect it did the same thing. My mechanic said he installed it three times and it did the same thing each time. The original owner doesn't remember ever having it replaced. Can anyone help me with this? I searched the old threads, but didn't find this particular problem. Many thanks, Carson

I have a 1993 LS400 I bought last year and the antenna wouldn't fully extend. I just bought a new Lexus antenna and had it installed by a competent mechanic. It fully extends, then retracts the second to last section which ruins my reception.

I never watched the old but I suspect it did the same thing. My mechanic said he installed it three times and it did the same thing each time. The original owner doesn't remember ever having it replaced. Can anyone help me with this? I searched the old threads, but didn't find this particular problem. Many thanks, Carson

well ive been searching on this forum the only thing i can find is replacing the canister in the back~ the lights for the intrument pannel flickers, onyl temperture works and everything else is dead, no fuel meter, no speed rpm meter, not even mileage odometer reading!! Can someone direct plz

My trunk had filled with water and condensation had form on the CD changer. I gott ERR messege on radio head. I allowed everything to dry out and then deck wouldnt eject CD cassette. Only radio and cassette player would work. I mesured for 12 volts to deck and then now all I get is a flashing radio panel. I tried the hold the 1 and 6 buttons while pressing the power button...still only flashing radio.

ANY INPUT is much appreciated.

thanks

Scott

This one is easy, Your cd changer now needs replacing after the water damage. It won't just come back to life when it dries out.