Hi Everyone,

i've just bought a 94 LS 400, it's in great condition but a couple of faults have developed.
The first is the power steering--Every 50 miles it starts making a terrible noise the fluid is full of air and needs topping up, i bleed the system moving the wheels from side to side and top it up, 50 miles later same thing happens. I cannot find a leak!

The second fault may be more serious--when it is started from cold it emmits a large amount of blue petrol smelling smoke, this lasts for about 10 secs then clears. the same thing happens from warm. The oil level is over maximum could this be the cause?

Any advise would be appreciated.

[quote name='pmi' date='Mar 20 2008, 03:24 PM' post='522945']
Hi Everyone,

i've just bought a 94 LS 400, it's in great condition but a couple of faults have developed.
The first is the power steering--Every 50 miles it starts making a terrible noise the fluid is full of air and needs topping up, i bleed the system moving the wheels from side to side and top it up, 50 miles later same thing happens. I cannot find a leak!

The second fault may be more serious--when it is started from cold it emmits a large amount of blue petrol smelling smoke, this lasts for about 10 secs then clears. the same thing happens from warm. The oil level is over maximum could this be the cause?

Any advise would be appreciated.
[/quote



Sounds like you have a faulty vacuum valve (located on the PSteering pump).

If that valve fails, power steering fluid gets sucked
into the engine's intake manifold and will cause
your engine to smoke. Install a new vacuum valve
on the PS Pump.

Thanks for the advise, I will replace the valve. Are thet availiable aftermarket or is it a trip to the Lexus dealer?

Thanks, Paul.