mossyoak

MOst fo the time when I start my ls400, I feel the starter motor kickback coincident with starting the motor. Anyone have this and know if its fixable. Ferd :o

Less than proper octane places a higher load on all parts of the rotating assembly because the ecu retards ignition timing. Piston tdc algorithm will not coincide precisely with ignition timing as per design spec of the ecu. Therefore, as piston is still rising to tdc, ignition is occuring. This increases a downward pressure as the piston is rising to tdc. ie, downward force on the crank, main bearings, and rod bearings. Silent death over time. Ferd

gen two is mo better!

you folks dont really believe that the gorgeous lady in the pic is the wrench who is doing all that mech work. I love the joke and love her looks, but no way is that doll in the pic doing this work. I have changed timing belts and have never heard of a pretty lady being able to do this job. :chairshot: Ferd

FWIW, once you drive a lexus, you will not be happy with a Ford product. I owned a 1987 lincoln town car that I bought new. It was a wonderful car as far as reliability, but my LS400 is the Bomb...no comparison. Ferd

tough bolts can usually be broken with a compressor and air gun. I have never used this on a crank bolt but it should work Ferd

I thought someone had a way to buy auto zone hood shocks and modify them to fit the LS400. I cant find it through a search/ Ferd

Thanks, HOwever already tried that write up and for some reason the pictures do not appear. Have you opened this url? and do the pics appear for you? Ferd

dealer should handle unless peeling from damage

Anyone, or VMF, please send me when convenient the writ-up on changing the timing belt on a second gen LS400. VMF volunteered to send me one but somehow the transfer did not make it. Here is my Email address: 'mossyoak@worldnet.att.net' THanks

I have disconnected my battery several times and never had a problem with the radio not resetting itself. Whats up. Once someone told me that the air bag might disengage with you disconnect the battery. Is there any truth to this?? Ferd

I have a LS400 1996. Has anyone documented the timing belt change so I can use as a guide. I have seen the writup in the professional Mechanics guide at the library but as in most of those publications the writup is lacking. Ferd

These tires seem to be top quality. Ferd

Sounds like you are building a great system Ferd

Look at the LCD radio facing. If its dull it will go out in several months. If under warrenty Lexus will replace entire radio Ferd

Why swap when you have a great motor to build up Ferd

Good luck, hope it works out. Ferd

muchas gracias Ferd

Another car club web site I belong for my 300ZX NIssan figured out a way to provide an on-line shop manual for club users. This comes in handy and its easier to use than paper when on the web. Has anyone purchased the Ebay CD type manuals. If they are good I would purchase one to use. Ferd

Here's way to decide. Go look at new or newer cars and price them. After this shock,,you will be happy with your delima. ie..You have a Lexus LS4 with 85k miles ( Ipresume runs well ) that needs paint. For approximatley $3k you will drive a top car and believe you me, when its painted by a high quality shop, all your friends will be jealous. Ferd

Nice website for us Lexusites. However, I wanted to send a msg to Jim Walker for dash redo and window came back and said "not authorzed to use this function". I have had several like that. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Ferd

DONT WORRY< BE HAPPY IMO,,Wear this car out! ( drive the hell out of it) , and you will get your moneys worth and have lots of fun. Ferd

IF your discarded oil is not cloudy white, you are not leaking coolant into the crankcase. It is pretty evident if that is the case. Also, leaking coolant into the crankcase may raise the oil level on the dipstick. Simply, look at the oil on your dipstick. If it looks normal, ie no milky white color, your are probably not leaking coolant ( also check coolant level from radiator cap). If coolant leaking into exhaust manifold, you would see thick white smoke out your tailpipe. If you see no leak on garage floor, you should count yourself lucky and spend your money on other things. Hope this helps Ferd

Shouldn't be that hard. If bolt is really frozen, the easiest way I have found is heat from a propane torch, along with liquid wrench at different time so no fire occurs. The heat goes outside the bolt on the chassis to expand the chassis threads holding the bolt. Once you use heat you will be hooked and never have another frozen bolt problem ( well almost never ). Take a propane torch and heat surrounding area being careful not to heat lines etc. Does not take much to loosen, 10-30 seconds. Use a 6 point socket with an extender of some kind like a pipe 12 inches or so that fits over the socket wrench handel. A 3/8 should work if you dont have a 1/2 type. But really, these bolts should not be that hard to take off no matter what. Ferd.

Wow, am I confused. I thought, when the dealer does a trans drain at the 15k/30k/45k etc. service, they drain the entire fluid and replace the strainer/filter in the trans. Now I am thinking that, every 15k service, they drain 2 quarts from the pan and refill hopefully with a new strainer/filter. If this is the case, I will do it myself at 15k intervales. Ferd