My First Service....

[JPWilson]

I'm going to be servicing my IS200 this weekend and getting the parts this week.

On Eurocarparts they have a 25% discount so I can get an air filter, oil filter, fully synthetic oil and NGK spark plugs for £80 delivered.

Do you guys think that's a decent price for those parts?

Also, is there any reason why those spark plugs are highly recommended over others that are cheaper?

Thanks people....

[jomo]

Dont forget the pollen filter too!

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Second the pollen filter :)

You need iridium plugs. NGK or Denso. Nothing else. I paid £60 just for spark plugs so that's a really good deal I would say about half price. What standard are the filters tho?

[JPWilson]

Yeah the spark plugs are £9 each but you get a good discount once you put it all together...

The filters are from crosland, miyako and hengst... I have no idea if any of those are any good, what do you think?

What difference does changing the pollen filter make... Excuse my ignorance ;)

[The Transporter]

Crossland filters are good filters, can't really comment on the other makes.....Just to add, the gearbox and axle oils should be changed every 20k miles too if they haven't been done...

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

The pollen filter is your cabin filter. Don't change it and the inside of your car starts to smell musty especially when using the air con. It's behind your glovebox.

Sounds like a good deal then. Pollen filters aren't expensive

[petayV8]

Looks like you might have some cheap oil judging from the price, ide recomend something half decent at least

[JPWilson]

The filters are all Crosland, the spark plugs are NGK and the oil is Valvoline fully synthetic 5w30 oil....

Is Valvoline any good?

[petayV8]

Yeah Valvoline Ive heard its pretty good even tho its a bit cheaper. but personally ide still use Mobil1 or Castrol Edge for peace of mind. there prob isnt much of a difference tho lol

[JPWilson]

Just wondering, once I do the service and change everything should I notice a difference in performance or even just the car running better?

[petayV8]

You will definitely feel a difference. The engine will run smoother and quieter and be more responsive especially if its over due like mine! lol. Im going to use a K&N air filter in mine which should make it sound a bit better too

[JPWilson]

Any advice... just went out to the car and there seems to be a patch near the front drivers side wheel... i touched it and it seemed like oil, but its clear and transparent....

Wondering if its from my car and what it could be, opened the bonnet and i cant see anything obvious, checked the oil and water etc they all seem fine?

Any ideas?

[petayV8]

If its oil it will be very obvious as it makes the colourful patterns on the ground and will stain black. Check the shocks for leaks and brake lines. It may even be washer fluid as pluming goes to headlights.

[JPWilson]

My neighbour who is a mechanic has just had a look... he has in the past done things that were not needed in my opinion but im not a mechanic.... he has just said its the Crankshaft oil seal, said he could do it for £50 including the part....

Im not sure i want to let him loose on my Lexus though... does that sound plausible?

[petayV8]

Im no expert when it comes to the mechanic side of things but the worst type of mechanic is one you cant trust. Not many good honest mechanics about these days even tho its will make them more money in the long run.

First of all try and find out on here the crankshaft oil seal could be the prob for sure and then find out how long it would take someone to fix. £50 sounds a bit steep to me. that include parts? whats his hourly rate?

[petayV8]

I take that back, looks like quite a big job

[JPWilson]

Yeah he did say to me he had to take the belts etc off, he said he can do it including the seal and labour for £50...

I might just get him to do it then... there is definitely oil where my car was sitting.

[IHgs300]

If it was the crankshaft oil seal, the oil leaking out would not be colourless, and to do the crankshaft oil seal is a big job, Is this the mechanic you mentioned on another thread a while ago?

Have you checked the power steering fluid? ps valvoline fully synthetic is the oil i use and its fine.

[JPWilson]

The patch on the floor is black from the oil that has leaked out... it is the same mechanic yes, he has done other jobs for me and he has done them well... its because i know nothing about cars im never too sure if its correct, but i can see for myself there is oil on the ground.

Power steering fluid looks fine,

[petayV8]

Yeah like i said make sure it is the crankshaft seal for sure

[JPWilson]

Yeah i just asked him to show me and he pointed to the place and wiped and there was oil there... Im kind of thinking he;s being honest. im sure Lexus would charge a lot more for the same job ;-)

[lexus loon]

JP, trust me mate there would be no price comparison and if it wasnt right you can soon take it back.

[JPWilson]

Do you mean Lexus would charge a hell of a lot more?

Well its being done tomorrow and hopefully it will all go to plan...

[lexus loon]

I do indeed mean that,hope all goes well mate

[JPWilson]

Thanks people.. Much appreciated on the advice front ;)