steviej

in the 2006+ GS's they said the drain hose was clogged or somehow got moved and it was pouring into the cabin. try getting under your car and looking under the b-pillar (between where your front and rear doors meet). i think this was the solution?

This would the drain hose from the sunroof?

In the '06 most commonly that would be the drain hose from the air box under the dash that houses the AC evaporator. The 2006+ has a very weird configuration and the hose often and easily gets clogged, dislogged or disconnected. The hose exits the box and then goes out through the firewall. If it does not drain out though the firewall, then it will drain inside the cabin. The water runs under the carpet and is noticed when it soaks through. There is even a TSB for it:

AC003-07 DEC 07: A/C - Water on Front/Rear Carpets.

steviej

Thanks,

Also car needs a new oil pan gasket & the part is only $5, but the shop quoted me $350 for labor. Is this right?

yes. as high as it is that's about two and a half hours worth of labor. Ask a toyota dealership and several independents shops in your area what they would charge, it will most likely be less. You can buy the part and bring it with you.

steviej

did you happen to drip any oil from the old filter on the exhaust manifold when you removed it.

If the 95 ES filter location is the same as the 2002+ then it is in a horrible spot and if you don't wrap the fitler in a rag when removing it, it will most likely drip on the exhaust manifiold. When it heats up, the oil burns, smokes and smells. This will eventually go away.

Now if you really think there is a leak, you can have a reputable shop put a UV dye in the oil. It doesn't hurt the engine. You run the engine for a few days under normal use. Then they use a black light to find where the leak is. The dyed oil will "glow" and the leak source can be determined.

steviej

too bad you didn't have any "before" pictures to post so we could compare.

They look great and if you are happy with it and it only cost $6, then its a win win situation.

nice job.

steviej

if they are taking the covers off, then why not do the TB and WP. This way you won't have to do it at 90k miles.

steviej

if it were my GS, I would have the work done under the TSB.

They will cover any work related to the TSB repair for 1 year which will actually extend your warranty past 70k miles.

steviej

It is a Lexus dealership program. My dealership offers it too.

Read the fine print thoroughly then do the math on paper.

1. Find out what tires qualify for this program. I am sure they are not the top of the line models that you and I would pick. They will most likely be the general OEM fleet tires that may not be the best of choices. Do you get to specify or pick from a variety of brands and models or do they select for you?

2. How often do you change tires, how many miles do you usually get out of a set. Figure $500 for a set of "good" tires with no labor included. Lexus will charge you upwards of $200 in labor costs to mount and balance a set of tires. Figure that in to you out of pocket cost.

3. How long do you usually own your cars. This plan benefits those that own their cars for long periods of time (ie. 10 years).

steviej

Have 2004 GX470 - finally the battery died... Had no choice but replacing the battery in the parking lot knowing there are many things won't work after the battery replacement.

I read the forum and was able to fix the window control from driver side.

But I haven't seen any post regarding to the problem with programing the driver seat. Currently I can't program it.

In addition, any other issues that I need to be aware of ?

Sounds like this should be part of the FAQ...

Thanks for any help.

did you consult your owners manual?

When you disconnect the battery any presets held in memory are lost. This include radio stations and seat positions.

Move the seat and the mirrors to the position you want them in.

While the car is running and in Park:

1. step on the brake pedal,

2. hold in the SET button (next to the seat position preset buttons).

3. press the numbered button to which you want to store your position settings. you will hear a long beeeeeep.

4. take you fingers off the buttons and your foot off the brake pedal.

Now move the seat and mirrors way out of position. press the seat button you just programmed and see if you seat returns to the position you programmed.

steviej

... The 2006 did not come with a spare if the car was outfitted with runflats from the factory...

steviej

Minor correction - I believe the 2006 AWD had runflats and a spare (at least mine did). It's my understanding that for 06 the RWD version came with standard tires and runflat w/o a spare was an option. However the AWD version came with runflat and a spare.

And yes, I also agree that the runflats on these cars are complete junk...

here we go again.

In the 2006 models, if the car was equiped from the factory with conventional tires then it also came with a comact spare tire.

IF the car came with runflat tires, then no compact spare was installed. This is also noted in the owners manual on pages 472 to 476.

My 2006 AWD came with Dunlop runflats and a big piece of styrofoam where the spare would be.

I believe in 2007 or 2008 Lexus started outfitting all GS's with compact spares regardless of the OEM tires to help promote sales because customers wanted the piece of mind know it was there. This has been covered by many threads here and on CL.

steviej

I had the same problem on my 02 ES, but at least on the 02 there was a small drain guide attached to the engine block that would direct the exiting oil into a stream that could be caught some how.

Solution:

Take a 20oz. plastic soda bottle. Cut the top of the bottle off completey about 3/4 the way up from the bottom. Prop the bottom end up under the oil filter before you loosen it. Then when you spin the filter off, the exiting oil is caught in the bottle and not on your crossmembers or garage floor. When the oil has drained out of the filter, then you can spin it the rest of the way off and turn it upright to guide it out from under the manifold.

worked for me many times.

steviej

Did you get the new pads on? How are they working out? (yes, it has only been a few days, but figured I'd ask anyway!)

Much better than the Hawk Performance Ceramincs. The Akebono ProACT Ceramics are quieter than the Hawks, they have as much stopping power if not a little better than the previous stock pads but most of all they have minimal dust. Now mind you I am only 200 miles into them, but very little has built up if any at all. I am very pleased. The next question will be to see if I get over 50k miles out of them as I did the original stock pads.

Thanks for asking.

steivej

I've decided to replace my run flats with conventional tires and need to get a spare. (2008 GS460).

Talked to dealer bu they want to $355 for both. Any ideas on aftermarket or where to find a used one?

All ideas appreciated.

I thought the 2007 and 2008 GS's came with spares regardless whether or not the car came with runflats.

Did you check the trunk, under the mat and tray?

Unfortunately compact spares are not cheap. The 2006 did not come with a spare if the car was outfitted with runflats from the factory.

I dumped them in favor of conventional tires and like you wanted the peace of mind of having a spare tire. So I equiped the trunk with a spare.

The wheel cost me $102.35 (online from Park Place Lexus)

The clamp to secure it in the trunk was $10.96 (online from Park Place Lexus)

The compact tire, mounting and balancing was $147.19 (from my local tire shop)

My total was $260.50

A last resort would be to check with local salvage yards to see if they have any 2008 GS's or a compact spare in your size.

steviej

Well either my copy of Alldata is wrong, (which it has been before), or Park Place has labled the throttle control servo poorly. Unfortunately they do not post a picture of this. I do not have access to a 2002, so I am only going off manuals. Do you have access to one?

I had both Lexus shop manuals for the 02 ES300 but they went with the sale of the vehicle last year.

steviej

this will sound strange but try putting the car in 2 and not D. The wheels will be less apt to spin fast with little applied to the gas.

I say this because on my GS, the SNOW, button when pressed prevents the car from starting out in first gear to aid in traction and prevent wheel spin.

just a thought.

or try placing a couple of 2x 10s boards in front of the ramp so you drive up on them first. 1 4 feet long and then another 2 ft long. This will gradually get you half way up the ramp so the climb is not so steep and you will have an easier time stopping at the top. Similar to what I suggested to this guy in this thread here.

steviej.

no I haven't heard of this. Was your AC on full blast cold? just curious.

check you insurance. sunroofs may be covered under glass and safety depending on your policy.

steviej

hate to tell you stevie,

Iam 99% sure 02& 03 do not not have a IACV

Scott

Scott,

I think you will find every fuel injectied car with a throttle body has some kind of idle air control valve or idle speed control mechanism.

The ES most certainly does.

steviej

On these cars, the throttle body is controlled by the ECM. The gas pedal sends a electronic signal, (actually two potentiometers, one starts at a low voltage, the other starts high). The ECM reads the position, and determines the appropriate position to place the throttle blade. Since the ECM has complete control of the throttle, there is no longer a need to have a separate control for the idle. The ECM just comands the throttle to open to a appropriate amount to set the idle speed. I assume from the previous posts, that the original problem was the throttle body had deposits, and they cleaned them off.

Then tell me why it costs ~$300 for an Idle speed control for a 02-03 ES300 if the car does not have one according to you.

Click here.

steviej

http://cgi.ebay.com/BLUE-MAGIC-HEADLIGHT-L...p3286.m20.l1116

is that the product blk???

nah, just the bottle is black plastic.

hate to tell you stevie,

Iam 99% sure 02& 03 do not not have a IACV

Scott

Scott,

I think you will find every fuel injectied car with a throttle body has some kind of idle air control valve or idle speed control mechanism.

The ES most certainly does.

steviej

check the groves on the harmonic balancer. This is the large pulley that is on the end of the crank shaft. This pulley is a usual suspect when it comes to pulley replacement. In addition check the pulleys on the alternator and AC. If the groves have built up dirt and grime the belt will easily walk off. Lastly, check the belt tensioner, just because it is new, doesn't mean it is not faulty.

My 93 Bonneville SSEi used to throw belts all the time due to built up grime. Are the belts Denso or aftermarket. I did find out that even though aftermarket belts are supposed to fit, their lengths may not be up to OEM spec so even with an automatic belt tensioner, they can still walk.

steviej

hey pete,

do it right the first time. it's cheap and lasts forever.

get 1500 grit sandpaper

get 400 grit sandpaper or similar

one can of clear coat (smallest you can find).

WET sand the lenses with the 400 grit. It will leave them looking milky and like you really messed up your lenses with the sandpaper...do this a few times. this gets off the yellow oxidation.

second, with the 1500 grit WET sand again until you have made it baby butt smooth..or if you are like me (ocd haha) you think you have sanded out every last imperfection. your lenses will still look milky and like you really messed them up. 1500 grit is for mirror finishes...so you know what this is for.

lastly, newspaper off around the lenses or take them out before starting this whole process. LIGHTLY dust with clear coat...3 coats will likely do it. LOOKS LIKE NEW!! B)

email me if you have questions...trust me, you will love your work and be proud.

what you just detailed is the exact contents and procedure of the Clear View kit.

steviej

Supposedly they are doing quite well in initial reliability. The new XJ looks very interesting; a completely virtual instrument panel.

Is it me or do I see shades of the GS in the XF profile?

I see a combination of the GS, the M45, Genesis and a little Lincoln in it.

steviej

TireRack offered me the Ake's at half price. I am putting them on Sunday.

A CL member in NV wants my discarded Hawk pads. It all works out fine.

Hopefully the Ake's will be virtually dustless.

steviej

doesn't anyone read the owner's manual anymore?

I have literally typed these directions for three different members in the past three weeks.

sorry, just crabby and it is late.

steviej

I have had great success with a product called CrystalView. You can get it at Advance Auto Parts.

It is about $20 for a packet that is enough to do a set of large headlights. It will take you about an hour.

I have used it three times on three different cars and the results are quite spectacular.

Keep in mind this product will only take care of the outside of the headlights. The older ES models sometimes fogged on the inside of the lens, hence the baking and opening. Most times the baking and opening was also done to "clear the corners" meaning remove the orange reflector on the side of the lens assembly.

Try the Crystal View, you will be pleased.

steviej

No the problem was that 1, no one in their right minds would suggest the 2010 is coming out in December, second, the reason he was saying that was just to push me into an 09, trying to make it sound like I may have to wait months and months. That's just dishonest. Of course, maybe he was horribly uninformed, which again, is kind of silly when it's your job. Hence the hang up.

naah, that's not dishonest, that's sales!! :P

steviej