Drop The Sump On 1995 Ls400?

[SONDEK]

Hello all!

After owning a 1995 LEXUS LS400 for 08-years, I have finally stumbled across this excellent forum.

I wanted to ask about dropping the main oil sump.

At 200,000Kms, i figure there is an inch or two of black gunk resting at the bottom of my sump, just waiting to contaminate my next fresh oil change. Is dropping the sump on this engine a BIG job?

In the meantime, it is time for new spark-plugs, new cam-belt, new water-pump, new v-belts, new O-ring on that two-inch water-hose; and DEFINITELY a new belt tensioner bearing [sCREAMING!] Is there anything else that fellow members would recommend while I am in the vicinity?

I look forward to your thoughts. Many thanks in advance...

-SONDEK

[SteveLS400]

Hello all!

After owning a 1995 LEXUS LS400 for 08-years, I have finally stumbled across this excellent forum.

I wanted to ask about dropping the main oil sump.

At 200,000Kms, i figure there is an inch or two of black gunk resting at the bottom of my sump, just waiting to contaminate my next fresh oil change. Is dropping the sump on this engine a BIG job?

In the meantime, it is time for new spark-plugs, new cam-belt, new water-pump, new v-belts, new O-ring on that two-inch water-hose; and DEFINITELY a new belt tensioner bearing [sCREAMING!] Is there anything else that fellow members would recommend while I am in the vicinity?

I look forward to your thoughts. Many thanks in advance...

-SONDEK

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If it aint broke, dont fix it. These engines are very good and not known for building up loads of c--p. You could consider an oil flush rather than dismantling the sump. Before you take any action have a look at this http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html which contains comprehensive advice. Note there is a warning towards the end of the article. I would sooner buy some cheap oil, but of the correct viscosity, and fill with this without changing the filter. Run this for a few miles, preferably getting the engine well warm, before doing an oil and filter change in the usual way. Being a Yorkshire man, I would save the hardly used oil for the oil can.

Regarding the other work you propose, apart from visual inspection of everything in the vicinity, you could also look at distributor caps and rotor arms and HT leads.

[simontaylor]

This is a good site too :-)

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/engine/timingbelt.html