steviej

First of all, Welcome to the club. Secondly, that is called good marketing on MB's part. ;) steviej

the PCV valve is a $7 part but they will get you for a minimum of 1 hours labor. It actually takes about 20 minutes from start to shutting the hood. Have done as part of the valve cover gasket repair. steviej

I totally agree. sj

yes they can depending on how bad they are bent, but it is possible. Again, ask yourself, will it be worth it in the end total cost of rims + repair of the rims is <, =, or > the cost of the rims brand new. steviej

If the car is in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the seller has a military haircut...........................run away from it, fast!!!!! :whistles: :D sorry Josh, couldn't resist. In all seriousness, ask the seller if you can take it to a mechanic and have it thoroughly inspected. A 14 year old car may require more than $1800 dollars worth of work in the next few months. No one here can really say without actually seeing the car. Search on "ArmyofOne" and read about his saga. steviej

Toyota/Lexus brake fluid level sensor is very sensitive. Just top it off an it is usually fine. Even though the level is visually above the low mark, addition of fluid usually settles the light illuminaiton saga. if you want quiet and dustless and more of the same of what you are used to, get rotors and pads from online Lexus parts dealers. www.irontoad.com www.lexus-parts.com www.newlexusparts.com as for a manual, if you have a 97-01 ES, the Haynes manual is acceptable and can be had on Amazon for about $20. The procedure is similar to most disc brakes. The tutorial thread is a gem. steviej

Shirley, your ES has two valve covers, front and rear. It is a V6 engine so it has two cylinder heads and two valve covers. Your mechanic may think it is an inline 6 (some Lexus have this type of engine) in which there would only be 1 long valve cover. The price is about right, though I would have expected a little less on the hours needed since the front cover is very easily accessable. The rear cover is not so readily accessable. It is driveable temporarily. however keep an eye on your oil level at least weekly and keep your nose pinched (to avoid the odor). Just remember, little leaks become big leaks if not repaired in due time. As for the PCV valve: It is not a sensored part, meaning there are no electronics directly connected to the part. Direct failure or partial malfunction of the PCV will not set off a CEL (check engine light) as an O2 sensor, knock sensor, ABS sensor, throttle position sensor, or similar would. However, failure or partial malfunction of the PCV will have a trickle effect where problems will manifest themselves elsewhere. These problems will then create conditions that may set off other sensors that will inturn trigger the CEL. Again, get a second opinion. Try a Toyota dealership, too. The motor is the same as a 93 Camry and their hourly rate is a little less than Lexus. steviej

kneel in the back seat facing out the back window. grasp the plastic light housing/covering and pull towards you. It will need a good tug and then once it moves towards you, pry upwards on the end closest to you. Be careful when doing this because there are only plastic tabs that are holding it in place and you don't want to break them. Once it comes loose, you can tilt it up to revieal the bulb. The bulb should just pull out of the socket. When placing in the new bulb, hold it with a rubber glove or a tissue so that the oils from your fingers don't get on the glass. Replace the cover in the reverse order that you removed it. steviej

how were they advertised? did it say "perfect condition" or "not bent", if not you are getting into gray areas that would be left for you and the seller to haggle. Check out the guidelines of eBay on this particular item and cost you paid. Try opening a discussion with the seller and let him know you have consulted the proper authorities (ebay and a lawyer). Kindly ask him to either cover the cost of the repairs or meet you half way. the prime rule of ebay is not never bid more than you can afford to lose. However, sellers have to assume some responsibility for items that are sold not as they really are. I would see if I could return them for all money paid and walk away from the whole matter. Start again and stay local so you can inspect the wheels in person, even take them to a shop to have tested before you pay. steviej

oops, I forgot those, me too, chrome with Lexus in black letters. I guess the lights weren't my first mod. steviej

Colton, I am working on Sunday so I will fax it from work. steviej

In 1998 I was in Rio de Janerio. I couldn't get over the fact that gasoline was about $4 (when converted to USD) per LITER. That would be the equivalent of almost $16/gallon. oooouuuccchhhh!!!!! steviej

Replaced stock high beam and fog bulbs with PIAA Xtreme Whites. (Nov 02) steviej

call 1-800-25-LEXUS and speak to one of the customer service reps, then have them speak with the service manager at the dealership you are dealing with. What you have provided should be proof enough that you have made a reasonable attempt at proper oil changes. Your service manage is just dragging his feet. I can fax you the letter I got from Lexus corporate pertaining to sludging and the goodwill gesture Lexus has offered should an engine sludge. No where does it state by Lexus what constitutes a "reasonable attempt" nor does it require every single oil change reciept. I have read posts here and on CL about members that have had their engines replaced with barely any reciepts. You could also try another Lexus dealership. good luck. steviej

kewl!!!!!

did you ever get your O2 sensor fixed? If not, the faulty O2 sensor ain't helping your mileage any. like bartkat asked, how many gallons are you actually using to go the 250 miles? steviej

when will these SUV owners realize it is not the getting started in motion that is the problem with the SUVs, it is the stopping. Most SUV accidents around here are because of lack of judgement. They think that because they have AWD or 4WD, they can stop on a ice covered dime. Nothing stops well on ice. be safe this winter, give yourself a few extra car lengths and get home safely. You are worth it. steviej

I got to think on this one for all reasons mentioned above. I never really got the sulfor smell, either. Maybe a little talk to my friendly service manager is in order? steviej

NOOOOO! :o Don't ask that question. That is the question that sparks the heated hated debate of which is better: synthetic or dino. Use the SEARCH button for this question. Do not rehash old arguements, PLEASE. steviej ← i wasnt trying to rehash that...im simply saying that oil additives do more harm than good. ← Josh, read the progession of the quotes. I was not talking to you, I was talking to mxl4729 in regards to starting the debate again. your initiative on oil additives was fine. steviej

I concur with both of the last posts. See if you can't return them first. Negative feedback works wonders if done right. If you can't return them, then try threatening small claims court for false advertising. If still stuck with them, them check the balance and then go for repair. Are they chrome or painted alloy? steviej

I thought I was the only one that did that. :whistles: It's funny how all your friends always want to ride in the Lex. steviej

yeah, he knows. A little bluejay told him. :D steviej

or you got the volume all the way up!!!! :whistles: :chairshot: steviej

NOOOOO! :o Don't ask that question. That is the question that sparks the heated hated debate of which is better: synthetic or dino. Use the SEARCH button for this question. Do not rehash old arguements, PLEASE. steviej

Absolutely DO NOT use any of those "belt dressings". Tighten the belt if it needs tightening or replace the belt if it needs replacing. steviej