Colin M

The cambelt on the non-LPG car was changed in 2018 at 226,000 and the current mileage is 240,000. The cambelt on the LPG car was changed prior to my ownership but I do not know the exact date or mileage. I am looking to change it now based on age as it has been on for 10+ years, although the mileage will be well under 100,000. 10 years or 100,000 miles seems about right to me.

Thanks, that’s reassuring and good to know. Ward End is not too far from where I am (about 12 miles), so that would be quite convenient. Thanks for the recommendation.

My LS400 Mk3, which has a LPG conversion, is due a cambelt replacement soon. Does anyone with a LS400 LPG car have any experience of having the cambelt replaced? I am not intending to do this myself but would be interested to know if this has proved problematic for installers. Any information gratefully received and if anyone could recommend an installer in the West Midlands or Staffordshire areas (I am in the West Midlands but very close to the Staffordshire border) that would be most helpful. Thanks a lot. Colin

There is a lpg app called myLPG.eu which enables you to search for the nearest lpg filling stations in particular areas. I have found it easy to use and very helpful.

Yes, lots of life in it! My 1997 LS400 is currently on 237,000 and my 1996 LS400 is on 196,000, and both are running well. Fingers crossed they will continue to do so.

I hope Kieran is able to fix this for you, James.

I am just providing an update on this post to notify members that Carl Spinks (see my last post above) is retiring at the end of this year and therefore will not be available in future to fabricate any of these brackets. He does, however, have some additional brackets that were produced at the same time as when he made mine. If anyone is interested in obtaining a bracket or pair of brackets, then send me a personal message and I will see if I can arrange a purchase for you. Thanks , Colin

Yes, James, it is disappointing. I don’t know whether it is the bulb filament that goes or the solder joint that no longer provides the electrical connection but an easily replaceable bulb would have been much better. I haven’t found it to be too much of problem as I can still see the pre-set radio channel buttons when it is dark even without the radio light.

As far as I am aware, there isn’t a bulb that can be easily replaced - the light is, I think, soldered in and replacing it is quite an involved job. The radio light does not work on either of my Mk3 LS400s and this seems to be a common problem.

I have been with RH for a long time, going back into the last century! They have covered my Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 346 since the late 1990s and cover both of my LS400 Mk 3 cars on 5000 miles each per year. Neither of these cars is garaged and they are both parked on the drive. Driving of the cars is not restricted to me and my wife, son and daughter can all drive them as named drivers.

The car jacked up ok on the near side but I will be taking the sill cover off to see what the rear of the sill on that side looks like.

I have always used a slotted puck to avoid damage to the sill flange when jacking. This works fine as long as the sill remains strong enough to take the car’s weight but there may come a point when, due to rust, it is no longer strong enough … I recently jacked up the offside rear of my 1996 car in order to change the wheel and tyre, only to be met by a crunching noise as the car started to lift. With the sill cover in place there was nothing to suggest anything might be amiss but on removal of the sill cover it was readily apparent that all was not well. The following areas needed replacing: the bottom section of both the outer sill and the inner sill, part of the area behind the sill lip and the lower front section of the wheel arch. I took quite a few photos of the repair work as I was doing it and have added these to this post as others may find the photos helpful. As you can see, all the rot was cut out and new metal welded in. This should make for a long lasting repair.

Really sorry to hear this news Pete. A very sad day for you after 16 years with a LS. Those of us who have had a LS for some time (12 and 10 years for my two cars) will know how you feel. Good to know that you will be staying on the forum. All the best Colin

Sorry guys - hadn’t realised that the topic had moved onto the rear screen, as I had not read Mikael’s post …

I had the windscreen on my 1996 LS400 replaced earlier this year (on 8 March) by National Windscreens in Birmingham and I am not aware of them having had any difficulty in locating a replacement windscreen. Might be worth contacting your local National Windscreens branch to see if they can source one.