steviej

the foams used to seal the gap of a pipe coming up through the floor is good for just that. They don't offer any rigidity except to keep air and rodents out of the gap. The flotation foam used in boat hulls comes in varying densitites and is very strong once it hardens. Be careful, it hardens in less than a minute depending on the ambient temperature. if you go this way, look at www.boatus.com or www.westmarine.com search on "flotation foam" steviej

next time, heed the "wet paint" signs. :D :P steviej

start cheap. replace the first hose since you that is broken/not 100% efficient. Then see if the CEL goes out. If not, then go with the sensor. from posting on two sites and just from experience, I can say that the accordian like intake hose becoming brittle and cracked IS a common problem. steviej

It should be, however, the tranny and the diff may have separate drain plugs. On the 02, I could only find 1 plug and I got about 3.5 qts to drain. steviej

apparently so, but one should never assume, for obvious reasons. steviej

its a long shot, but what about expanding flotation foam. The kind you use to foam the hull of a boat. We use the kind in a squirt can all the time. Fill it and trim off the stuff that comes out. It will give you rigidity for now. The best way would be to take the hood off and turn it upside down. Squirt the foam in and let it expand into and under the braces. Then with a sheetrock knife carefully trim off the excess. Just a thought. OR GET A NEW HOOD. :chairshot: They are as cheap as $150. here car-parts.com steviej

yes the leaking air hose will effect MAF sensor readings and car performance. Start cheap, replace the hose yourself and see if it goes away. I'll bet the cost of the hose it does. These tubes are a consistent problem on many engines. They become brittle and crack due to the heat in the engine compartment. The cracks and holes allow more air than the MAF senosr called for into the throttle body. This creates incorrect readings from other sensors cause they don't jive with what the MAF sensor said it allowed for air into the throttle body initially. The car should/would also be running rough at idle with the cracks and holes....is yours? steviej

my 2002 ES lists as: Rear sidemarker 2825 Glove box 37 Dome light DE3175 Step/Courtesy light 2825 Trunk/Cargo area DE3021 maybe it is the same for you. I can't run your exact car because you failed to list the year of you ES. :chairshot: hope this helps. steviej

here it is. It is a toss up on dropping the pan. If you do, that is easy too. There is no filter, just a screen that has to be cleaned. You will have to replace the pan gasket with a new one and make sure all of the old one comes off. I do not think that is included in the $80 job at the dealer....you might ask them if it is. As for the power flush....it's is more than $80 and is not a bad idea either if you want to spring for it. A cheaper alternative to get most of the fluid switched over to new stuf would be to do 3-4 drain and fills yourself over the course of the next 1500-2000 miles. steviej

what about a 215/65-16 or 215/55-16, the M3s come in that size? Check out www.tirerack.com. I concur on the 16" and steel rims. Save you 17s for the nice weather. steviej

take four, and tell him to give you back what he doesn't use. You can very easily do this in your driveway and save the money. I posted a thread in the tutorial section with pictures. Think about it before you spend the $50. steviej

this is simple. Your own trunk!!!!! Take the scratched up rim (assuming it still runs true and balanced) and make it your spare. The spare that is in you trunk is a matched rim and looks just like the other 4 on the car. If you are concerned about the uneven wear, go to a tire shop and have them swap the used tire to the unscratched rim and the unused spare to the scratched rim. Other than that, ebay or a junk yard. On line Lexus dealers sell them for about $300, more for the chrome. steviej