Lexuslvr

I hear you...thanks for your comments. I never thought I'd drive a brown car either, but this car with the metalflake in it is striking.....and I usually buy only silver/champagne/red cars......

I am leaning toward just keeping it.......certainly can't replace it for what I can sell it for.

Have an interested buyer at $16k though kicking the tires right now.

Tom

I didn't think I'd consider selling this little beauty, but I bought another car and one has to go.....trying to determine correct pricing. I am seeing dealers with cars this nice ask in excess of $17k.

The car has 76000 miles, is cinnamon brown with gold package, extremely clean. I purchased the car from a friend with 44,000 miles; he purchased it as a certified vehicle at 38000 miles. Its always been garaged and keep clean; Good service history; synthetic oil used since his purchase, I have also changed trans oil twice. NO issues whatsoever.

HID headlites, memory seats, std radio, new brakes and Yokohama tires within 5000 miles. The car is virtually perfect, and I don't want to give it away, but looking to get a fair amount for it. If I can't get squat for it, I'll keep it and I'm sure it'll run for lots of years to come.

I would appreciate any opinions!! I am located midway between Atlanta and Birmingham.

Thanks in advance!!

I was very lucky...followed another poster's advice and simply held my foot to the floor and cranked for about 20 seconds. Engine fired up (with a lot of smoke) and then cleared and has run perfectly since.

Diagnosis: a bit of soft carbon in the cylinders/valves....

Darndest thing I ever saw.....I have put another 2,000 miles on since and everything is normal. Belt and pulleys looked fine...just reassembled and ran it.

Thanks for the reply....

I should be so lucky!

I'll pull the timing belt covers, check it out and see if it jumped time or snapped.....

Then....we'll figure out where to go with it!!

It didn't want to start and cranked very slowly!

Tom

I'll pull the timing cover and see if the belt jumped time or just snapped.....

Remember, this happened upon fresh startup, then was shut off quickly. Starting sounds like timing advanced.

I'm very concerned-the loud mechanical noise could've been valves....

Tom

I should be so lucky!

I am using a Wal-Mart filter, although I have always used a PF53 AC filter previously. Just couldn't get to one....I think the PF53 has a better anti-drainback.

The engine was LOUD.......after I shut it off, it is cranking slowly, which leads me to believe either the engine is out of time, or something has seized....like a water pump bearing (no leaking noticed)

I will pull the cam belt covers and observe as soon as I get back from the Gulf of Mexico where I am cleaning up hurricane damage.

One thing after another.....

THANK YOU for the reply......

Tom

YES! Do it...mine failed at 73,000 miles!!!! (98)

I hope you're wrong...because the engine ran for 5 seconds.....sounded like bad lifters. I don't think it could've been an oil filter failure in that short period of time....but I am afraid there may be more.

I can't find any posting on any 98s having this issue at this low mileage...73k. Car is immaculate and ran perfectly before this issue. I evacuated Gulf Shores, AL in this car two weeks ago-glad it didn't fail at the condo or it would have been in deep water....

Any ideas on how to evaluate efficiently before taking to dealer? I feel confident I could change the belt/water pump, but don't want to be ripped off.

Tom

Timing Belt (& water pump) replaced soon. I live in Atlanta area and one dealer quoted me "A little more than $1000", a local repair shop quoted $900 (both include parts + labor).

Anyone can recommand a good, honest, and experienced dealer/shop in Atlanta area can do the job for less price?  ;)

Thanks!

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How did your timing belt replacement go? Mine just failed on my 98.

Failed in the garage-engine made lots of noise, I shut it off immediately, then it wouldn't start at all....sounds like a slipped tooth.

Any recommendation-I am 100 miles from Atlanta-no closer dealers except Birmingham, AL.

Tom

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outch. Its not a split tooth. More like bye bye pistons.

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Does anyone have a recommendation for a reputable LS400 repair shop other than a dealer in the Atlanta area? I am near Anniston, AL.

Thanks!

Tom

Timing Belt (& water pump) replaced soon. I live in Atlanta area and one dealer quoted me "A little more than $1000", a local repair shop quoted $900 (both include parts + labor).

Anyone can recommand a good, honest, and experienced dealer/shop in Atlanta area can do the job for less price?  ;)

Thanks!

←

How did your timing belt replacement go? Mine just failed on my 98.

Failed in the garage-engine made lots of noise, I shut it off immediately, then it wouldn't start at all....sounds like a slipped tooth.

Any recommendation-I am 100 miles from Atlanta-no closer dealers except Birmingham, AL.

Tom

Hi there! I also face a cam belt job on my 98!

How did it turn out for you, and do you have any recommendations to make my upcoming job easier?

Did your belt fail?

Mine apparently jumped a tooth while in my garage. Glad it wasn't two weeks ago when I evacuated for the hurricane!

Tom

Thanks to both of you

One thing concerns me, when I turn the camshaft at some point it will stop and won’t go anymore. Is this because of the valves touching the pistons and should I worry about this?  :(

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I also have a 98 with a cam belt issue. Were you ever able to find the tutorial?

Mine has 73,000 miles-started it up and it was noisy, shut it down, checked oil, tried again, sounds like cam belt jumped a notch.

Looks like a big project!

Tom

I have found a tutorial for timing belt replacement for a first gen LS at

http://www.lextreme.com/timing2.html

Does anyone have specifics for a second gen LS?

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I tried starting my 98 LS400 with 73000 miles. Car started right up but started clacking like lifter noise. I shut it down within 5 seconds.

Checked oil, etc., tried again. Hard cranking. Gave up, and determined it seems to be the timing belt-probably slipped a tooth. (Way before the 90000 mile recommendation to replace)

Has anyone else had this issue, and is there a tutorial somewhere I can review to see if I want to repair it myself? The garage the car is sitting in is at the bottom of a hill, and it will be difficult to pull it up the hill or put it on a flatbed.

Thanks in advance!!

Frustrated in Alabama

I checked the posts on transmissions and didn't find this one....

My 98 has 58,000 miles and was a Lexus Certified vehicle purchased at 44,000 miles. The previous owner got tired of it and bought a Mustang GT...

Anyway....under light throttle, the transmission wants to sit in first gear up to about 25 mph or so for the first upshift of the day. Afterward, it works perfectly. I wonder if this is a built in warm up the engine routine, or if something is amiss. I used to live in 15mph speed zone, so the car would sit in first without upshifting for the first 1/2 mile or so

My drivetrain warranty runs out in 2 months...but I hate to take it back if there is really nothing wrong. Everything runs like a top.

Any comments?

My 98 developed a severe "clunk" when hitting the brakes (but not often) coming from right front....sounds like it could be the same problem.

Are you actually talking about the spring clips on the back of the pads? Not sure if shims are missing how you can bend them....

Thanks in advance.

Where can you find Toyota Type T transmission fluid for the LS400?

(other than the dealer....)

Can't find at NAPA, or any auto parts store.