asif

Hi All, I have an oil leak that has found its way onto the alternator, not powersteering fluid. I have made a shield to cover the top of the alternator, but I am unable to locate the leak. I have checked the camshaft seals, dry as bone. Has anyone on this side of the water had this problem? Help Asif

wow,, I bet there is an engine behind the plastic air foil... with a 10 mm wrench you can see for yourself... I always change my own oil, replaced my own timing belt, have just under 200k miles on my 2003 and not one mechanical problem. Even getting 50k on tires after my swing arm modification.....

So what mods were made to the swing arm, please tell. Asif uk

Hi,

I have an oil leak on my 2001 sc430. It is leaking onto the alternator (generator) very expensive to replace. My previous ls400 1991 had a similar leak but was sourced as the power steering pump. However this time it is engine oil. Golden brown in colour, not red, anyone can ID this.

Asif, UK :(

My engine warning light is on, and turns out one of the oxygen sensors need replacing according to my dealer.

Lexus dealer is asking $600 for the replacement. There are two sensors, and they recommend replacing both for $1000 at a savings of $200 as they think the second sensor will likely need replacing at some point.

So, questions I have:

1) Can this be done by a regular mechanic? How much would it cost to do it? I live in the Bay Area, so if you know someone that has done it before, the info would be greatly appreciated.

2) Can this be done by the owner? If so, now long will it take and what tools are needed?

3) Can this engine alert be ignored? How long can I drive the car with this issue before it becomes a problem.

Really would appreciate any insight and suggestions. Many thanks in advance.

-Rich

Hi Rich,

I also own an sc430 02. However I am in the UK. The engine light came on in May of this year. I drove for about 1000 miles without any problem.However for peace of mind I found out the problem was the O2 sensor. Two mechanics confirmed this. Make sure which one needs to be replaced. There are four! One mechanic reccomended the two pre cat or top sensors. However after purchasing an ELM327 code reader from ebay, 50 uk pounds I pinpointed the fault to be the left bank, your drivers side, left hand drive cars, pre cat sensor. The part cost 200 uk pounds. Copy parts were available but I elected for the dealer part. A specific O2 sensor socket (22mm) has to be used, 10 uk pounds. Securely raise the car. Remove the two engine covers, underneath the car. Disconnect the battery.Use gallons of wd40 penetrating oil or freeze spray, very effective. Ensure the socket is fitted on the sensor securely, then loosen. Loosen the heat shield bolt on the connector cable. Very carefully dissconnect. Clean the area and refit the new sensor. Thats that! It is worth doing yourself. Beginning to end 5 hours.You need daylight. Do not rush!

Thanks,Asif

The tire pressure warning light is always on in my 2004 SC430 with run flats. The pressure in all my tires is the same, checked it multiple times. The pressure in the tires have also not changed for 2 days, so don't think there is a flat. The light stays on with no audible alarm or flashing. Any ideas on what could be wrong?

P.S: New owner and saw the same issue on a different SC430 I test drove.

Hi There,

Log on to the uk forum and find detailed instructions on how to dicconect the sensors, quite easy. The batteries tend to have a 4 year life, unfortunately the complete sensor has to be replaced.

Handy gadget, while it works! Asif

I've owned a 2002 SC430 since the summer of 2001, but this is the first time I've come to this forum.

The check engine light is on and has been diagnosed as a bad oxygen sensor. My dealer is 150 miles away, so I try to have service done locally if I can.

I found a local mechanic who comes highly recommended and who has done some work on local SC430s (there are precious few of these beauties around here). He ordered and received the sensor from a Lexus dealer who's about 60 miles from here.

Problem ... he was unable to remove the bad sensor (this is the one on the front passenger side) because he didn't have enough room to manipulate the wrench. Naturally, I wasn't looking over his shoulder, so I don't know any other details about his attempts.

Anyone have any experience with this sensor removal?

Thanks

EdP

Hi there,

Just had my engine light checked today on my 2002 sc430. The code showed an o2 sensor, possibly. There are 4 in total. Bank 1, which are just below the manifold (exhaust manifold), bank 2, which are mid positioned to the doors, under the car. I take it yours are bank 1. To access these both covers under the engine bay must be removed. I am in the uk so my car is right hand drive. Therefore on the passenger side three heat shields have to be removed.The bolts on these are very delicate, especialy the 3/8 fitted just above the catalist.Once removed however the sensor can be removed with a plumbers tap wrench. The drivers side is much easier, and if the connector ( wiring) is coated in oil, probably from a leaking powersteerig pump, you may only have to change the fuses, after cleaning the wiring and sheathing it to protect from further saturation. This is a very poor set up, especialy from this premier japanese car. Lexus take note.

Hope this helped, Asif