brendangeorge

Hi Sam It was a very long time ago - the air con pipes that go over the back axel corroded and the system lost gas. It was repaired by Lexus at their expense and the service manager said it was a know problem - I may have been a little enthusiastic with the term factory recall - that only happens for safety items. They pick this kind of thing up at a service. Bren

The first one was a Parrot reseller using a new kit I supplied and it worked for years - the second was my local garage. Bren

There was a factory recall to replace the rear pipes years ago - I know mine rotted and were replaced for free and have been good since. Bren

Hi Mike it is 80% if you are a chemist - it may only be 70% when used in your car because of other efficiency factors. Bren

Hi Chaps I have a Parrot hands free kit and it has failed - the symptom was a really noisey phone connection (on several phones) so I had the unit replaced with an eBay special and that has subsequently failed. Has anybody had a similar experience and any ideas? I have had to resort to sticking a BT head set in my ear which is sub-optimal to say the least. The replacement unit did work after it was installed and has sunsequently failed as well. Any pointers before I go to an auto electrician would be great. Cheers Bren

Success - I took Matt's advice and went round to Auto G's fancy new unit in Northmapton and they sorted out my rain sensor - it is no longer hanging by its wire and it works. As Matt said they should have put a new gel pad in (didn't look new to me) - the guy who fixed it said it was not fitted correctly during the replacement - a glue problem as advised by Matt. I am now happy and will only be happier if we smash the sheep botherer's in Cardiff tomorrow - yes I will be there and will be driven home by a couple of botherer's - I hope :). Bren

I'm with you a warm chuff is worth a little fuel - I done it for 204K miles and my 430 runs like new. If your car is maintained correctly it will be fine and from a cold start will be ready to do what you want in 400m. It will be fine if warmed up as well. Bren

Thanks Matt more really good stuff - you are right about doing jobs for OC memebers and friends - I have been stuck fixing two computers over the last couple of weeks. OK I am an engineer (comms) but have never learned to so no when somebody says you know all about computers don't you :) At work it is all on the clock with satisfaction guarranteed - provided you let the clock run :) Great advice is all I need no house call required. Cheers Bren

I pride myself on being a good fitter; I've been doing it long enough, am still happy to learn everyday and don't think I'm a know it all, and actually care about the job I'm doing (of course there are some that couldn't give a toss, and just slap it in regardless; I actually do care about doing it, and do the best job I possibly can, often taking much longer on a car than is normally needed just to make sure it's as perfect as I can get it). But from time to time, a problem presents itself, and accidents happen. Regarding the rain sensor falling off, I'd need to know if it's the sensor that's fallen off the bracket, or the bracket that's come away with the screen. Because if it's the latter, it's not the fitters fault, that's a faulty product. I had a brand new C Class Merc on today, and did a great job replacing it. However, when I went to clip the scuttle into the tracking that comes glued to the bottom edge of the glass, the tracking twisted and bent. That's a faulty product, and completely out of my control. I spent a further 10 mins attempting to get the scuttle to sit in the tracking, but short of pulling it off the screen - which wouldn't achieve anything, since then it wouldn't hold the scuttle to the bottom edge of the screen - there's nothing I can do. So I showed the customer, explained, apologised (even though it's not my fault) and then pushed through a DMR report on it, and we'll be changing the screen for him next week to rectify it. Anyway, if the bracket has come off the glass, it's easily fixable by a windscreen tech. It takes about ten mins, and can be bonded on using mirror boss glue (two part liquid and spray activator glue, used to glue the metal bosses that mirrors fit to). I've done it plenty of times; ironically, the last time was on an RX... If it's the sensor itself come off the bracket, you'll be able to fix it yourself, or just take it into the branch that did the work for you and they will remount it. As for the sensor not working, it's entirely possible it's as simple as the "gel" missing from the sensor (if memory serves me correctly, the sensor on the LS has a rectangle of a gel like substance (not liquid gel, but more of a gum like gel) that sits between the sensor and the screen. If this isn't replaced, and I've seen it overlooked or missed several times, then the sensor won't work. Lexus are right; the sensor cannot be calibrated, because that wouldn't do anything. It can be activated or deactivated by the ECU. Merc's have a problem whereby if the sensor is removed from the screen and the ignition is turned on, the ECU thinks that it isn't working when it does a system check, so it deactivates it. Likewise if the sensor is unplugged and the ignition is turned on. This can only be reactivated by Merc by having a dealer plug a computer into the ECU and turning it back on. From memory, this doesn't affect Lexus', but to be on the safe side, I never unplug any sensors, or turn ignitions on until the sensor is reseated on the new screen on any car... Hi Matt - thanks for your note about my sensor that falls off. It is the plastic cover that keeps falling off mine - the piece of gel you describe is stuck to the screen but does not look new. I will take a trip to auto you know who when I find some time. I can see you have a great deal of experience and are pretty good - my problem is I have had trouble every time my 430 has had to have a new screen. last time was not a water leak it was a loose and creaking installation (3 goes to get right). I can see that in cold weather this could be a problem if you are doing the job outside. So I discussed this with the latest fitter and he said no problem I have had the cement warming up on my heater vents for a while and he was correct. So for fun he put the wipers back on incorrectly and my rain sensor does not work - this is not bad luck it is lack of care. You can imagine after the screen replacement every bump and rattle had me looking for a windscreen creak. Thanks for your really helpful and useful post Matt you have restored my faith in screen fitters. Bren

It is a few mins more labour if you change the pump at the same time as the belt - if you have to do the pump on its own it is the same labor plus 10 mins as the belt so it is smart to do the pump and the belt at the same time. Bren

Great numbers Steve better than mine - are you a steady driver or do you boot it along (like me)? Bren

Hi Barry I have just had my screen replace by autocrap and not only did they stuff the rain sensor (it fell of yesterday) they did not put the wipers back on in the correct place. The good news is they put the screen in correctly - last time they managed to get is right on the 3rd attempt. My first problem is to stop the sensor from falling off - anyone got any ideas. I was thinking about driving to the fitters workshop and asking them to fix it but think that may be a waste of fuel and time. Bren I have no doubt your cars windscreen was replaced by one of the big corporate windscreen replacement companies who only fit windscreens and yet they still cant get it right first time. Why cant they do the job correctly first time every time? Mike You are spot on Mike - Autocrap did the work because they are my insurers preffered supplier. I could have used who I wanted to but then the insurance company say they will limit what they will pay - I did not want to test this and if I went to a Lexus dealer guess who they call ? Just how hard was it to put the wipers back on prpoperly? I suppose I can understand the old stick on detector not making through 4 windscreen changes - however it made it though 3. When the weather warms up I'll go and see them and get it fixed. Cheers Bren

Hi Barry I have just had my screen replace by autocrap and not only did they stuff the rain sensor (it fell of yesterday) they did not put the wipers back on in the correct place. The good news is they put the screen in correctly - last time they managed to get is right on the 3rd attempt. My first problem is to stop the sensor from falling off - anyone got any ideas. I was thinking about driving to the fitters workshop and asking them to fix it but think that may be a waste of fuel and time. Bren

At the moment I am getting 15 to 16 MPG on LPG - I use this calculator (http://www.mpg-calculator.co.uk/). This is short runs so not too bad for the winter. On motor way runs I used to get 20 ish on LPG. I don't drive slowly and have notices the lads who run 400s reporting better fuel consumption on LPG than 430s - I thnk Dave pointed this out. LPG has abpu 80% of the energy of petrol so on short runs I used to get 16 or so round town and overall 22 - with LPG 15 on short runs and 19 on the motorway - that is pretty good. I could always lighten my foot and improve consumption. I have a BRC system that is supposed to optimise consumption automatically and has done 80K miles + so is it worth upgrading the electronics or putting in a different system to improve ful economy? Has anybody any experience of doing so? Also if one of you has nicked the Sun please put it back in the sky because I am freezing to death :) Bren

31,000 miles seems too good to be true for a 2002 - at the price it could be a real bargin. It has 6 stamps in the servce book why? - it should have one each year. My book says intermediate every year ot 10K, full every year of 20K. I stuck to it rigorously from brand new. I am tempted to trade up my 205K miler :) Bren

Beam deflectors are a bit of a pain to remove took me ages to get the glue off last time I used them - if you use tape you will be able to stop the beams from shining left and blinding people coming in the opposite direction but you will not be able to move the beams to the right. I've used both and had no trouble with the natives. Good luck Bren

Hi Is your compressor OK and been used before? You could use some crock clips on your batter to test it. If it is tight or siezed it will probably draw too much current on start up (and blow the fuse) so if it does not run straight away when you test it on a battery disconnect it immediately. Also fuses do blow occasionally - did you replace the fuse and give it another try? My air pump draws 10 amps so I doubt you need more than 15. Don't put an over rated fuse in under any circumstances. Your air pump will have a duty cycle rating - it will be with the instructions and will be something like run for 10 mins then let it stand for 10 mins to cool off. If you don't let it cool you may cause it to sieze which will probably cause your blown fuse. They usually have a 10 min duty cycle so they can be made small and not have cooing fans etc. Bren

Even if the parts are made in the same factory and are equivalent you bought a genueine Toyota part and that is what you should receive. If the part you have is the same as the original it should be cheaper so ask for a discount. Bren

Hi if you have a duff wheel bearing it may only be noisy when you load it. To test when driving in a straight line move the wheel left you will load the left rear bearing and if it is worn it will whine - when you straighten up it will quieten down as it unloads - same test for the other side. Bren

Hi Sam 2.5 hours does sound a little short doesn't it - so I just dug out the invoice from my local indi and it was 3.5 hours at £50 for to fit cambelt and tensioner - the water pump is 10 mins extra. I needed a new rad and 1/2 an hour was added for that - I let them get away with that. The cam belt kit and tensioner was £175. that was at 200K My local garage uses an online system that gives them all the job timings and proceedures. Here is a link to how to do the job and this guy in the US says 8 hours for a Lexus dealer and 12 hours for an indi. http://www.shastaanesthesia.com/Lexus/Page1.html Bren

The cam belt change on a 430 is 2.5 hours work (or so) the parts (third party £130) the water pump adds 10 mins of labor and £30 in parts I think. The job times are standard and from my local indi who charges £45 per hour. I had a problem with a corroded rad which bumped up the price a lot. Not suggesting the water pump is changed would make me question the competence of the garage - just my opinion mind. An indi should be capable of the job you just need to make sure. My local are great. Bren

Hi If their OBD reader indicated a fault you should have the engine management light on the dashboard on. The fault could be cleared by disconnecting the battery or with a reader but if intermittent will come back - if permanent will not clear for long. If you had the car serviced and plugs changed I am a little surprised that they could not give you a better diagnosis than it could be coils or injectors. Don't fall in to the coils trap my LPG installer did and it cost (his insurance) a packet - when there was an air leak in the plenum (as suggested by Sam) which caused the car to go into limp home mode (miss some of the cylinders) because it was running too lean. If one of the oxygen sensors is faulty you should see the management light come on - check it comes on when you turn the ignition on because the light could be faulty :). You may see a faulty Lambda sensor because of something else - you need a mechanic and test kit not just test kit. I have a 430 but the engine etc is basically the same as the 400 and had a very small (pin hole) in the exhaust that kept indicating a faulty lambda sensor - a welder fixed that. You need somebody, who has the correct kit - my OBDII reader cost £10 - my garage uses one that cast £2K - and who knows what they are doing. Swapping bits will not work if as Sam suggests you have an air leak. You mentioned it gets better when warm - my air leak got worse when warm but that may not mean anything. Good luck Bren

I love the train horn - I'm not sure about the exhaust (it's a bit loud and farty) and I'll bet the neighbours just love you. A great video - I'm still smiling :). Hehe glad the horn is liked :P computer speakers really do them no justice... They can be heard for miles and the ground literraly shakes if you stand near the car! As for the exhaust, aftermarket pipes arnt everyones taste and i understand that, however again speakers dont help show the lovely V8 rumble when its not being booted right up the revs! I wouldnt say its tinny at all, even up in the revs, as its only a cat-back system. All fun and games anyhow :D A lot of us who drive a Lexus spend our lives complaining about road noise so we would be rude about the exhausts - the horn made me crap myself when I heard it on the PC so live it must be something else :) You car looks immaculate- better than my 204K miles motorway pounder. Bren

I love the train horn - I'm not sure about the exhaust (it's a bit loud and farty) and I'll bet the neighbours just love you. A great video - I'm still smiling :).

Hi Messi 5w/30 synthetic or semi-synthetic is the stuff - I use synthetic. Don't mix them. For the quantity this may help but becareful of America measurements (check your manual) because they have 14fl oz quarts not 20 like us so their pints etc are 20% smaller than ours - Metric wins eh. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/62163-engine-oil-capacity/ There are quite a few post on this forum as well if you have a quick search. Bren