Lethal_Threat

well i am very happy to say that i have excellent news.

i got a second opinion (the 1500$ garage) and they ran some tests...they wrote on my receipt that there is "NO evidence of a blown head gasket" they went on to say that the problem! was the original wires that the first garage ($3,000.00 ) had put on. apparently the wires were installed faulty and one of them was rubbing against the timing belt causing it to essentially RIP. here is a picture of the while "Tom's Auto " expertly installed.... <_< <_<

now my baby runs like an SC400 SHOULD and there is no sound out there like the growl of a healthy SC400. :D

let me just say im very grateful for the help/concerns of Julian (Lethal Threat- your SC is nasty bro :D ) UCF3, & wallball & sidex...i had this idea to make like an SC400 collage of the best pictures of all our SC's. let me know what you guys think .

thanks again

I think i speak for us all when i say its a relief to hear that it was just a faulty install dealing with your spark plug wires and not an overheat failure. I'm overjoyed to hear that your pride and joy is up and purring away again! Treat her good buddy, she'll do you right lol. Thanks for the mention bro, i've only just begun with project LETHAL Threat ;)

When my motor is cold and i start it, i get a nice even whistle from the engine area, as the engine warms up to normal operating temps it stops. I am fearing an exhaust leak seemingly between where the primary cats meet my exhaust system. Hopefully just needs an exhaust gasket? Any opinions, hadnt had a chance to put it on a lift while running to inspect.

So, assuming i wanted to block the EGR and put in a resistor to keep the computer from throwing a code with one of those available kits, what is involved. I know you remove the modules all together, cap off the vacuum lines, but can the pipes to the back of the heads be easily gotten to and removed? An in depth explanation on their removal for a 1UZ-FE would be nice.

yeah it sounds closer however he says if he;s taking the thing apart i might as well

1) replace both head gaskets

2) polish and clean up both heads

3) replace the timing belt

it sounds about right..i would basically have a brand new engine at that point which would be awesome...NOT cheap however = /

guess we'll see what he says..i just dropped it off tonight to be worked on all monday and tuesday so ill keep you guys posted

No, not a brand new engine, the damage is already done, even polishing the heads and changing the gaskets wont fix the detriment to the engine from overheating. For the engine to literally be like new you would have to rebuild the rotating assembly; e.i. crankshaft, pistons, conrods, all bearings, valves/seals, so on so forth. The work your getting done wont give you a new engine, but one that works. Don't go into it thinking it will run better than before, it might, but its unlikely. While he is tearing it apart, it would be wise to change the idler pulley bearings, water pump, thermostat, and do an ignition overhaul, plugs, wires, caps, rotors.

Hello,

My 92 sc400 has developed an odd symptom. When I take it out of park and put into reverse, when I release my foot from the brake I hear a squeak. It almost sounds like a rubber sneaker on the rubber brake pedal (I wish). It occurs going int drive or reverse but depends on applying and releasing of the brake pedal. This only happens at roughly zero miles per hour, never at any speed. The brakes are quiet and seem fine in all other ways. The squeak is definitely not pads or rotors, but sounds like something made of rubber is moving against something else.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave McKenzie

Could be cold pads releasing from cold rotors chirping, a squeaky joint in the throw of the pedal, or even the master cylinder being noisy. Since it only occurs at reverse like that (heard mine do it as well) Its probably the first of the three. Especially with my ceramic pads they tend to chirp on release when cold. Not uncommon at all.

I feel for you buddy, but honestly it would be easier on your pocketbook if you found a parts car with a motor in good condition, brought the new motor/trans to a reliable private mechanic and have the motor swapped out. Even just fixing the engine in that SC4 would still make it more reliable/cheaper than any other vehicle you would trade it for. Find yourself a private mechanic used to dealing with the motors in the Toyota Tundras and he could easily deal with the motor in your car. Surely dont go through lexus for parts, search them out through outside dealers. If you cant find them at a good price i will get them for you at cost. The only reason i would do that is because you obviously love your car, i want to be able to help you get back behind that wheel. In the end if you can fix your car, you'll keep another SC4 from hitting the graveyard, and that is worth every last bit of the trouble its gonna take to get it running again.

-Julian

hey bro thank you so much...but however today i have better news. my grandfather calls a private mechanic used to dealing with toyota motors...and the estimate is now down to 1,500.00 :D i can almost afford that right now even though it will compltely clear out my bank account i feel it is worth it because there is no other car like an SC400 around here. no other car would replace my SC4 in looks, reliability, or sound for that matter. so i believe im going to save up for about another week or so..then hand my baby over to this garage and make her good as new again.

however this now comes with a catch, because when the garage found out i wasnt going through them, they said "ok fine but you owe us umm lets see...ah here we go $600.00 for the time and labor we spent looking for this problem" but whatever, i think i will be okay. so im absolutely doing everything in my power to keep another SC400 alive. :)

Shoot me a pm or call me if you need parts, or to find out if i can get them to you cheaper, goodluck with it buddy. 985-xxx-xxxx(modified by Moderator)

well hey thanks guys for reading my situation...(i wish i lived in Texas) its bothering me so much now that i think more about it...i put so much time into this car, i put a 500 dollar quality exuast system on there, tinted the windows, bought HID's, reconditioned the whole interior, :(

and it does bother me a lot knowing what a DAMN good motor this thing has in it that is now essentially useless...but about replacing one..im not sure if its possible i just know what the mechanic told me and he said its a 20 hour job with a very expensive part..so right now im jsut lookin around on autotrader just lookin for sometihn cheap and reliable and economical to hold me off before i go to college in about 9 months...

once i find sometihng i like somehwat that i can afford...the garage said to let them know and they will put some stop leak in my car to buy me enough time to trade it in (which my deeeeeeeply religious grandfather completely disagrees with and says god will know im being dishonest if i do this) but however i have no choice..i deliver pizza for a living and i need a car so who knows... <_<

I feel for you buddy, but honestly it would be easier on your pocketbook if you found a parts car with a motor in good condition, brought the new motor/trans to a reliable private mechanic and have the motor swapped out. Even just fixing the engine in that SC4 would still make it more reliable/cheaper than any other vehicle you would trade it for. Find yourself a private mechanic used to dealing with the motors in the Toyota Tundras and he could easily deal with the motor in your car. Surely dont go through lexus for parts, search them out through outside dealers. If you cant find them at a good price i will get them for you at cost. The only reason i would do that is because you obviously love your car, i want to be able to help you get back behind that wheel. In the end if you can fix your car, you'll keep another SC4 from hitting the graveyard, and that is worth every last bit of the trouble its gonna take to get it running again.

-Julian

Is this easy to remove and replace?

Simple bolt on, and also a common failure im told. These are held in stock by most lexus dealers and it also cross-references to a toyota number

Hello, I have a '95 SC400 and was wondering what this grey plastic thing with the wire sticking out of it is near my Oil Filter? (see picture). It is leaking oil (when car is running) between the plastic seams.

How do I remove it? and does it need to be replaced?

Thanks for any help,

eerf95

Someone corr

Hello, I have a '95 SC400 and was wondering what this grey plastic thing with the wire sticking out of it is near my Oil Filter? (see picture). It is leaking oil (when car is running) between the plastic seams.

How do I remove it? and does it need to be replaced?

Thanks for any help,

eerf95

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe that's the oil pressure sensor, depending on how its leaking, it should be replaced. From the description its not just a seal, but a failure of the part sensor itself. Goodluck with it.

How can I describe my problem <_< ? I have a 1995 SC 400 Lexus. Here I go: It doesn't matter if the car is cold or hot, when i crank up the car and put it in reverse or drive, i have to continually press the accelerator to get the car to move to almost 4rpm's. it begins to move after about a minute or even longer. do i need another transmission? a friend of mine said that my clutches are about to go. is that true? help me someone to fix this problem without having to purchase a new transmission!!!

It sounds mostly like your tranny fluid level is just too low, or the fluid isnt gettting where it needs to, so either fluid level or the pickup screen is plugged.

Thank you buddy, which one of those descriptions is for torquing the caliper halves? The description is kind of confusing when saying Torque plate and Armature. I have never used a torque wrench before either, but sh*t for these cars arent cheap, and i dont want to take the risk of snapping anything, lol. From your description you have inspired me to put my ASE certs. What really sucks is that i cant pull any of this info up on the databases at work, even though its all Toyota parts, i cant see any of it.

The ASE thing is a joke b/w me and some of my friends on the Buick board. We're all a little nuts.

I would hope there wouldn't be a problem in snapping bolts with these cars, but I have seen stranger things happen. Lemme try to explain better. I have exploded diagram captured from the manual. Youcan see the torque plate and the caliper. Being in the parts business, you should recognize this. It's for the rear. The front is similiar.

Thanks buddy, the diagram is a massive help, i live off of those things in our F.A.S.T. system for finding parts. It'll be alot of help!

alrighty, im past that part, it holds just over a quart, dead empty. Thankyou for your help zeus87gn. Now a bit more difficult one, lol. I've got some ceramic pads, drilled slotted and vented rotors that just came in, but before i go breaking those caliper bolts loose, does any know what to torque the front and back caliper bolts back to once put back together?:chairshot:

You're welcome for the help.

You're question happens not to be diffucult. I just got my manual on disk and have it here.

If you're going to torque the components back together, this is what my book says (guessin my book is the right one):

Front torque plate (armature that the caliper bolts to) - 87ftlb

Front caliper to torque plate - 25ftlb

Rear torque plate (armature...) - 77ftlb

Reat caliper to torque plate - 25ftlb

Personally, I have never torqued any calipers or armatures back on the vehicles I have worked on with an actual torque wrench (although I do have one). I put them back on as tight as I can get them by hand with a typical socket wrench (usually a 3/8' but sometimes a 1/2"), and then either put a pipe on the end of the wrench and give it a little more or wack the wrench once or twice with my dead blow hammer (no pipe). Sounds rediculous, but it works. I've been doing this for many years now and haven't had a problem. Even so, I won't fault anyone for proper torquing.

HTH

Z

Thank you buddy, which one of those descriptions is for torquing the caliper halves? The description is kind of confusing when saying Torque plate and Armature. I have never used a torque wrench before either, but sh*t for these cars arent cheap, and i dont want to take the risk of snapping anything, lol. From your description you have inspired me to put my ASE certs. What really sucks is that i cant pull any of this info up on the databases at work, even though its all Toyota parts, i cant see any of it.

Wonderful SC3 man, awesome custom work. Do you still have the OEM front lip, is it in good condition, and are you willing to sell it? Mine has been cracked since i bought my SC4.

How much does the system hold, will 1quart be enough?

Don't question it. Get a second.

It's cheaper/easier/more convenient to have it on hand than to try and run back to the store for another.

If you don't need it, you will have it for later, or you can return it next time you are there.

alrighty, im past that part, it holds just over a quart, dead empty. Thankyou for your help zeus87gn. Now a bit more difficult one, lol. I've got some ceramic pads, drilled slotted and vented rotors that just came in, but before i go breaking those caliper bolts loose, does any know what to torque the front and back caliper bolts back to once put back together? :chairshot:

What brake fluid does a 92 SC4 take??

You should use a name brand DOT 4 brake fluid. Synthetic is fine; If you are flushing the fluid, you can save some time by sucking some out of the resevoir and filling it with the new fluid before you begin with the wheels.

How much does the system hold, will 1quart be enough?

anyone know?

What brake fluid does a 92 SC4 take??

You should use a name brand DOT 4 brake fluid. Synthetic is fine; If you are flushing the fluid, you can save some time by sucking some out of the resevoir and filling it with the new fluid before you begin with the wheels.

How much does the system hold, will 1quart be enough?

What brake fluid does a 92 SC4 take??

?? flushing my system tom. guys, anyone know?

What brake fluid does a 92 SC4 take??

I am a captain of a boat off shore... use to travel to other countries now just from the gulf to inland waters... money is good, but, not everything.... just been doing it since I was 14 sorta hard to change careers in todays world and economy...I hold a masters in marine propulsion and systems... They told me when I was younger it would get easier...they lied...lol... gets harder... but with it all weighed out it is my career...and on my wifes behalf....it takes a strong woman to be able to handle a career like mine also... I figure I trade my days so maybe my kids will have more choices and make better ones than I have through the years... I would not advise or wish on anyone the lifestyle of being gone away from ones family like I have. It is a young mans job...and as I get older I am not a young man anymore...I do love my job though...there is nothing like waking up in the morning smelling the salt water and feeling it burn as the wind blows looking out on open water listening and watching the seagulls swarm in the wheel wash of the engines at the break of sunlight...drinking coffee listening to the hard moan of the engines echo a moan from the breaks of the tide... knowing there is no one else for 50 miles but you and the sea..nothing else like it in the world.... guess I am not a land lover at heart.... lol... in the words of Kevin Costner in Water World...."the land just dont move right"...lol :P If I had room to play with my cars and had my family and dog with me not really any reason to ever get on land.... well maybe Starbucks....

Thats some poetry right there buddy, i know what you mean, the ocean is an amazing thing. LoL, and a floating starbucks can be arranged.

LOL...well it has its downfalls ...hurricanes and squaws...rode Katrina out wont do that again..lol.. and never in my life seen a rouge wave but have seen what one does..dont want to be there then...but yes a floating starbucks would be really nice addition...lmao

LoL, i know my hurricanes buddy, trust me. I learned a long time ago to just get out of their way. I live in the coastal region of Louisiana, and we just got 2 1/2 feet of water for Ike, even though it only glanced us. It would definitely be one of those monumental architectures i would go see...."Come one, come all to starbucks, the SEA WORLD edition!"

I am a captain of a boat off shore... use to travel to other countries now just from the gulf to inland waters... money is good, but, not everything.... just been doing it since I was 14 sorta hard to change careers in todays world and economy...I hold a masters in marine propulsion and systems... They told me when I was younger it would get easier...they lied...lol... gets harder... but with it all weighed out it is my career...and on my wifes behalf....it takes a strong woman to be able to handle a career like mine also... I figure I trade my days so maybe my kids will have more choices and make better ones than I have through the years... I would not advise or wish on anyone the lifestyle of being gone away from ones family like I have. It is a young mans job...and as I get older I am not a young man anymore...I do love my job though...there is nothing like waking up in the morning smelling the salt water and feeling it burn as the wind blows looking out on open water listening and watching the seagulls swarm in the wheel wash of the engines at the break of sunlight...drinking coffee listening to the hard moan of the engines echo a moan from the breaks of the tide... knowing there is no one else for 50 miles but you and the sea..nothing else like it in the world.... guess I am not a land lover at heart.... lol... in the words of Kevin Costner in Water World...."the land just dont move right"...lol :P If I had room to play with my cars and had my family and dog with me not really any reason to ever get on land.... well maybe Starbucks....

Thats some poetry right there buddy, i know what you mean, the ocean is an amazing thing. LoL, and a floating starbucks can be arranged.

Keep us informed interested in what mods works best and which ones change your gas mileage the most...looks good B)

Def. buddy, updates will come as soon as possible. I've done alot of work to it since then, just with work and college, i have no time to take vids.

Believe me only being home about four months out of the year ..... I understand. It takes time just to make time to get something done...lol..goodluck wiff the project though..looks good sofar.

Wow, i couldnt do that buddy, i'd get lonely being away from my fiancee' for that long. Must be a darn good job, or at least the money is good. Thanks buddy, its the quality of the car that makes it so easy to look that good, lol.

Keep us informed interested in what mods works best and which ones change your gas mileage the most...looks good B)

Def. buddy, updates will come as soon as possible. I've done alot of work to it since then, just with work and college, i have no time to take vids.

This was my car when it was still bone stock, with REALLY crappy Goodyear Eagles on it, almost bald. Its a 0-100mph run, spinning the tires clear to 42mph. Enjoy guys, eventually when i have time i will post a 0-100 with current mods.

http://www.youtube.com/user/defcomproductions

i as well tried to do it myself, i got the old one off only loseing about half a gal of fuel, however much like you discovered an aftermarket would not go on, i tried so hard i striped the bolt and had to get vice grips to remove the aftermarket filter. i blew through the old one and like you said it seemed fine and has no signs of not being the original. so i put the the old filter back on it fit fine. i ended up going through about 16 gal of fuel and like you did got chemical burns on my arm and hip, that still havent fully healed (2 weeks) my arm was the bad one it went from sholder to wrist and i had blisters 1/4 of an inch tall.

i dont know if these filters ever need to be replaced but that tells me they dont do any filtering, my car is a 92 sc400 with 109,000 miles there is no way it shouldnt have had the filter replaced.

I was told by our master tech. that they have a 100,000 mile lifespan, but for maximum efficiency, you should change them every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. ( Use OEM filters, it will save you alot of heartache, K&N's fit well also. ) As far as the fuel on the arm issue goes, next time tie a few shop rags together, end to end, and the tie the first one around the nut at its end leaving you just enough room to put a spanner on it. Then drape the chain of rags to the side, with a bucket underneath. Just be careful as you put the nut back on that you dont catch the rag. Best thing of all though, run the tank empty to the point of the fuel level warning light coming on, only common sense.