Jump to content


cactuseater

Regular Member
  • Posts

    41
  • Joined

  • Last visited

About cactuseater

  • Birthday 01/22/1962

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • Lexus Model
    SC400

cactuseater's Achievements

Collaborator

Collaborator (7/14)

  • First Post
  • Collaborator Rare
  • Week One Done
  • One Month Later
  • One Year In

Recent Badges

0

Reputation

  1. Well.... time to part with the SC400. Just turned 106K on the ODO, used it for 10K and it's been a joy. I love the car, but have the itch. Just found a gorgeous IS350 2006 for sale out here, and I'm gonna trade my SC400 and a 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6 in on it. Hoping that leaves me with about 4k to finance. Lexus Certified, so I get a 3 years warranty gig and 100K on the mileage for the 2006 IS350. Not a bad deal I think. I originally paid $6400 for the SC, and had to reduce my asking price down to $5800 to get bites. Finally have two bites that look good, otherwise it goes to the dealer for trade this week sometime. I'll probably end up with less $$ at the dealership, but at least I'll have about $21K trade equity combined for the IS350 deal. That and the 3 year Lexus Certified warranty and I'm feeling good about it. :)
  2. And for the sub, make sure it is a "Free Air" subwoofer or you'll be depressed at what you've done. Otherwise you will need to build an enclosure for your aftermarket sub. SORRY about the double post, forum is loading really slow this afternoon...... :(
  3. And for the sub, make sure it is a "Free Air" subwoofer or you'll be depressed at what you've done. Otherwise you will need to build an enclosure for your aftermarket sub.
  4. Power Steering pump started to leak big time, just replaced it too. Now that was pricey, $300.00 minus a $75 core. Hopefully this is it.... about $1500 invested so far into this car. Anymore and I'll be doing the cash for clunkers gig with it (LOL).
  5. Nope.... didn't need them. They were in perfect condition. The adjuster is hydraulic, pretty much straightforward inside the case. The only thing I am kicking myself for right now is I should have looked carefully at the power steering pump before I put it back on. Damn thing is leaking right now from the pump. Hoses are good. Bummer. Off to the parts store tomorrow for a rebuilt. Little leak, big mess. Res is almost full, but that stuff makes a mess under the engine with dirt. When I did the timing belt the undercarriage was clean and dry. :(
  6. I too replaced the stock 4" drivers in the doors and the deck with drop in Infinity's. No problem as long as you use the same impedence. Didn't want to invest thousands into an audio system, just wanted to get rid of the dry rotted speakers. The sub right now looks and sounds perfect, however I know for certain that after market subs - even cheapos - blow this stock one away. That Kenwood install looks great in the car. I found that the head unit alone with Navi is about $1500 USD. That's crazy - about 1/4 the value of the car - then add to that some MB Quart speakers and some clean power - watch your account drain. This economy right now doesn't justify it, unfortunately. Eventually I may convert the head unit and do a complete install, but am afraid of installing an audio system worth more than the car.
  7. Died out? Did the check battery light come on before this happened? It could be an Alternator/Battery problem. Check your system to see if it is charging. The battery could be shorting out as the unit becomes hot...thus the plates could touch. As it cools, the battery plates could separate again - and let you start back up. Sooner or later (actually sooner) you will experience a completely dead car. You should have 14V DC or more on the charge with a load on the car (headlights, AC). A voltmeter on the battery terminals will give you an indication of you are getting the proper charge. My 95 SC400 did the same thing, and this was the fix.
  8. You can still do this without throwing out the NAK system. Rip the MP3 CD's onto iTunes in your computer, select a new playlist, then burn playlist as "Audio Files" instead of MP3. Worked perfect for me. Now I am just trying to figure out a way to actually hardwire a jack to the NAK system so I can use my iPod. there is a way to hard wire one here is a link on ebay where a guy did it and is selling it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lexus-Nakam...A1%7C240%3A1318 Hey that's pretty cool. Looks clean too. I'll have to check into this and contact him. Thanks!
  9. Fuel filter is an inline filter located along the frame on the driver's side of the car. Follow the fuel line and you'll have it in a few seconds....
  10. You can still do this without throwing out the NAK system. Rip the MP3 CD's onto iTunes in your computer, select a new playlist, then burn playlist as "Audio Files" instead of MP3. Worked perfect for me. Now I am just trying to figure out a way to actually hardwire a jack to the NAK system so I can use my iPod.
  11. Wondering if anyone out there has had any luck with after market brake lining for this vehicle. I know my current and previous Toyota's were not happy with Raybestos, Napa, etc. When I would get OEM lining at the dealer it was flawless. Thanks!
  12. PS pump is in great shape, I think the previous guy replaced it sometime, the spark plugs are new as well. I am throwing on a set of wires since who ever did it screwed the insulation on a few wires. The caps and rotors look real good - especially the carbon nipple on the caps - that's usually gone. They look like new - the rotors have some wear. I see no deposits on the contacts in the caps at all. Never seen these things so clean before with this many miles. They look original from the front. But anyhow, I have a new set of caps and rotors on my bench and they are going in as well. Coils are new. Might as well since it's torn down that far... Sorry about going off topic here.....
  13. Yeah, I can see why they get it, it's the "aggravation factor" When you remove the seat, lean it back and remove the bolts for the front vertical adjuster. Lift the seat cushion up and remove the ECU for replacement.
  14. Decided to tear the front down and get that timing belt replaced. I had an alternator die on me 3 days ago, stock unit at 99,000. I decided it's time to check the belt as well, glad I did. Took a new belt, and of course the new water pump. That's a pair - don't do one without the other since the pump is timing belt driven. I have to say it's a nightmare in terms of time involved, but otherwise straight forward. I can see now where Lexus gets well over 1K for this procedure, with parts just at about $200. Belt is a Goodyear at $50.00 and the pump was $169.00 new not rebuilt. I opted for a new pump since it's aluminum. Give yourself 2 days on this and don't rush it. Make sure you know where the bolts are from, a bunch of different lengths in there. Alternator now charging at 14.4vdc under load, and tomorrow I finish putting the front end back together. Hint -- you DO NOT have to remove the radiator and hydraulic fan to get at this stuff. Also, make your own mark on the two overhead cams and the crank. You'll save about 3 hours work right there. I have some pictures and will upload them now. Any questions about this R&R procedure and I'd be happy to answer them. Picture are in order, you can see the old belt and the wear showing through the smooth side. The new water pump is that nice shiny thing toward the last picture, and the last pic has the new belt installed.
×
×
  • Create New...

Forums


News


Membership