brendangeorge

Hi William I am an Electrical and Electronics engineer (Degree etc.) and these days spend most of my time testing large IT programmes - Data Centers, Networks etc. The whole thing from the designs to user acceptance, including the security. Clearly I don't press all the buttons (some I do) but manage the process. I am the annoying so and so you have to have on the programme to keep everybody honest. You are correct about documentation - the people who deisgn and build things see it as an embuggerance and probably run out of time to do it. The other challenge is the assumption of knowledge on behalf of the user/customer. On a big project we have a hadover built into the cost - if it is not done the customer does not pay. When we run a big project we have something called a RTM - a requiments tracking matrix and one of the requirements is the docs. One type of deocument we have to produce is called a run book - what you have to do to get something reinstalled or up and running quickly with out reading all the designs and manuals - a bit like stickies on the forum. Big IT projects are like new cars (not so relevant here because a lot of run old ones) thinks change all the time. My next gig will be all new version, loads of new features that don't work, unclear requirements, rubbish documentation => loads of testing which keeps me in work. I should add I often work on projects that are tough or a bit broken - plenty of room for being a hero and there is always work - I love it really. I should also say testing is a process based on critical thinking so I can manage the testing of anything - experience makes it easier. Cheers Bren

An update on my type swap chaps. The tyre dealer put me off the CC's because he said they wear out quickly. However, he said a lot of vehicles come with the Verdies and other people did not complain (Range Rover drivers etc.). So I went with the Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2 - £660 drive away price and they are fab. Great when it is slippery or wet - no perceptible torque steer and quiet. The car rides more smoothly and in all ways better - thanks for your advice H. The Verdies went on at 72830 and off at 105730 - 33K is not a bad wear rate. I am now a happy bear. 🐻 Bren

Hi Mike Did you get anywhere with this mate? I just got my RX450h back from a service and MoT and had the same report. The dealer said water may also be leaking into the traction battery compartment as well. They could not find the boot leak and want £450 for the body shop to check the traction battery compartment - seats out etc. and I am too fat and old to do that these days. Dry it out and send it back I said. I will keep an eye on it. They (the dealer) have just picked it up to repair the paint customisation they applied during the service (scratches). I wonder if they will check for water in the battery bay. The heater stinks when it blows hot air and the car beeps like hell for a while when you set off from cold - probably a duff parking sensor. That used to happen a lot on my old 430. Although I thought it may be a seat belt warning because I had a lot of stuff on the seats - I plugged all the seat belts in and the warning beeps stopped. That was a year ago when I was on a long trip at night - I can't tell you how annoying it is to have a constant alarm in your car. That said the current alarm shuts off within 1/2 a mile and does not come back on when I stop - which makes me think it is not the parking sensor. Any ideas would be very welcome. Cheers Bren

When I bought my LS430 the front seat air con was very good. Along with the obvious use cases it was designed for, it was handy for blowing pasty or pork pie crumbs out of the seat - yes I eat in the car 🙂 The RX450h does not have the 'chip catchers' that the 430 has. It is pain having to dog out under the seats - it is amazing what gets down there. No furry food though because I am good at hitting my big mouth 😀 Bren

Hi John I forgot to reply - I beg a thousand pardons. It was a flat AUX bat so I showed my neighbour where to charge it. All good now - Lexus MK could not be bothered to even call him back. Bren

Hi Richard The battery voltage is critical - if it is low then you have a problem. However, it is not the only or best indication of the battery's health. The Battery's ability to hold charge and deliver CCA or CSA if you are English (Cold Cranking Amps or Cold Starting Amps) are key. To test CSA you need a special meter - I think you mentioned Lexus RSA tested your alternator etc. they probably should have performed a CCS test (the AA would have done) - did they give you the results? I called the AA for a jump start of my old 430 (I needed to make my tee time at Woburn) and my started pack was duff. We got it running and charged a little but the CCA was low - bought a new bat on the way to the golf club. The battery life is a function of the number of charge discharge cycles and the depth you discharge to. It is not a great idea to flatten your battery it will affect its life. Temp is a big factor. If the car won't start don't keep cranking fix the problem and charge the battery after a few goes at cranking. Somebody mentioned using an AGM battery - check the spec and make sure of the CCA. My RX450h has one because of the stop start nature of the engine - however, it is not used to crank the engine only run the electronics - the engine is cranked using the traction battery but nothing works with out the ECUs. My neighbour has a RX450h and the AUX bat went flat - the car would not run. I showed him how to sort it out (the local dealer did not help). Your charging tester idea is neat - with moder car alternators you should never see the light dim and brighten with engine speed - takes me back to my old MKII Cortina in 1978. That was a cold winter :). Good luck with the bat - my apologies for the lecture, if it was boring - I am a test manager for a living. Bren

Very interesting thread - I think it was pointed out by John the Cat needs to be on the car if it was designed with one. Also note that an MoT certificate does not mean the car is legal to drive only that it passed an MoT test. About to get an MoT done - it still has Cats :). Bren

Hi Paul That's the madness - I spent two weeks checking the level and topping up the tank, I put cardboard under the car etc. - nothing was leaking so I stopped. There was no leak. Bren

Thanks John I had a similar problem with the Verdies and tarque steer - also they were rubbish in the wet. My local tyre dealer said other customers thought the CCs wore out quickly - this data did not include the RX. I was thinking about the route Herbie took and hope he has a comment about torque steering. If I only cared about longevity it is verdies all the way - 35K on a set but they are rubbish in all other respects :(. Bren

Hi John He called the dealer for help so I did not need to help so I am not sure what the problem is - I will let you know if I need some advice John. We are both isolating because of pending hospital treatment or I would have popped round and helped Bill out. The manual alludes to being able to start the ICE using the connection under the bonnet if the car won't start but I am not sure if that is only if the 12V bat is low. I may have a degree in Electrical engineering and 40 years experience but it is not hybrid or electric vehicle focused yet :). The good news is the RX450h is very reliable - when the warrant runs out next I'd bet on one of Musk's creations being on my drive. Bren

Thanks Herbie and Barry. Bren

Hi All I hope this request does not annoy too many of you. I am almost down to the indicators and even I am not driving much I need new tyres on my 2012 RX450h. It came with brand new Scorpion Verdes and I hate them. They ride like train wheels (yes the tyre pressures are OK) and are rubbish in the wet. I was thinking about winter tyres - I had them on my last 430 and they were great. Any suggestions? I will entertain all weather suggestions but am not very keen. I should not complain too much about the Scopions - they have lasted ages and I get 30mpg if I don't drive like a hooligan. The wet performance is my biggest complaint. Cheers Bren

Hi Nigel My 2012 has the cracked bushes advisory every year - I told the dealer to replace them and he very sensibly said it was a waste of time becuase they will crack immediately. They are not problematic in their current state. MOT soon so I hope I have not just put my foot in my mouth :). Bren

Hi Malc I have not run a Lexus V8 for a while now - I mutated into a RX450h driver - but remember having fun with the coolant system. To cut to the chase you probably had or have an airlock in the system. First bit of advice is don't put water in the system only use the correct coolant. The expansion tank is not for filling the system - it is used while the thermostat is closed when the engine is cold so the waterpump has somewhere to put the coolant. You mention you had the waterpump changed two years ago (which makes my comment about a airlock a bit iffy becuase you will have had it for two tears) - also my last V8 was a 430 which did not have a rad cap so the engine is filled through a port in the top - I think the 400 is the same. Anyway here is a URL for how to drain and fill the system if you have not found it http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/cooling/coolant.html The system should not lose any coollant - don't keep looking at the expansion tank it will drive you mad :). I messed with this for two weeks until I found the answer that it is not a measure of the status of the coolant level. My V8's temp gagues were rock solid, as you mentioned, they only moved a small ammount in traffic jams in very hot weather - until the airlock caused during the cam belt change. Don't trust anybody (including me) - the Lexus dealer in Mega City One serviced my hybrid and left both coolant systems low, over filled the brake fluid and changed the front instead of the read brake disks. They wanted a £1000 for a new headlight when the AFS cable only needed reattaching :). I don't use them anymore. Good luck - off to help my neighbour who's RX450h won't start. He must have left something on and depleted the traction battery. Bren

Hi if I were going to disconnect a lead I would disconnect the posative because the negative is the earth which is the reference. Disconnecting any lead will break the circuit - however as somebody noted (ROTR I think) the battery will discharge because of its internal resistance. Disconnecting the battery on a modern car, if you are going to take it out of use, is not a great idea. I've never used one but a solar charger may work - I am not sure how good they are if put inside behind the windscreen but should work because glass filters UV and solar panels don't use much of it. The thing to remember about lead acid batteries is their usable life is a function of the depth they are discharged to and the number of cycles you put them through. This is because the anode wears down with each cycle. Car batteries are designed to deliver a lof of current (cold cranking amps if you are American or cold test current if you speak English 🙂 - cold because the bat will perform least well when cold) typically circa 500 amps for a short period of time. After starting it will be topped up ready for the next time. It will work for years if discharged to a shallow depth each time. You can usually find a manufacturers data sheet with the curves on it to if your are interested - you use these when deciding what battery to use. I have a little experience of this stuff being an electrical engineer. The bottom line is charge keep you battery connected and fully charged - if you do a lot of short runs charge the battery from an external charger once in a while. Despite being a big V8 it should only take a coupe of cranks to start a 400/430 - if it takes more sort it out. The best of luck. Bren

Hi Benaywood Lead acid batteries don't survive being flattened too many times. If you are going to leave your car stood for any lenght of time buy a float charger and leave it connected. This will keep your battery in good condition. You will probably flatten your bat in about two weeks if you leave the car standing - if your battery is not fully charged/old/or it is cold this will be shorter. Good luck Bren

Hi TR When I had this problem on my olf 430 it was a duff relay - however that caused both front lights to turn off. I am not familiar with the 460 electrical system. Good luck Bren

Hi Mark My apologies I missed your questions - I have a Rx450h now so do not check this part of the forum much. You will hear the miss fire at low speed - I am pretty sure you will see a code - when you rev the engine the miss fire will stop becuase compression is maintained. You will smell the problem as well. A compression check will reveal all and it's off to the scap yard. :(.

Hi Iian Is your battery OK? I spent ages looking for a drain and it was the battery. It takes a while for everything to shutdown in the car after you stop it and close the doors and bonnet etc. Here is an interesting US Club post. https://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/85855-battery-problem/ I drive a hybrid now so no bat probs. Bren

Hi Mark It may be worth checking if you have a low speed misfire? I had one when a valve burnt in my now extinct 430. Bren

I am not sure what dirty supermarket fuel is or the effect it will have - your car has a fuel filter. There may be more ethanol in cheaper - the max is 5%. More expensive fuels have additives that can be demonstrated to improve fuel consumption. You should never MoT a car that is not at normal operating temperature - when you book a lot of garages remind you of this and tell you to warm it up before you arrive. You should always make sure you take care of the basics before the test. Somebody made a comment about the air being dirty these days - they were not alive in the 1950s when people dropped like flies in the smog caused by coal fires - the clear air acts have taken care of the problem. The air is clean these days but could be a lot cleaner - all you DERV drivers. None of my Lexus ever failed (an MoT or got close - I am on no 7) - LPG will give you good emission results, if you have a conversion. Warm the car up and leave it on auto - they have to test the car as it turns up. They are brilliant machines but not magic so be nice to them 🙂 Good luck Bren

Hi Adam May be a statement of the obvious - is you battery in good nick? You may want to charge it - a big V8 needs quite a few CCA. Bren

The standard spark plugs are fine - the LPG conversion does not need anything special. I did nearly 200K on LPG in a 430. The flash lube system is a waste of time - you don't need it. Keep the LPG system well maintained and don't let any Muppets near it. Keep an eye on the compression and look out for any rumbles - a loose spark plug on mine caused a burnt out valve. This resulted in low compression and low speed rough running. A V7 was the result and a 265K 15 year old car is not worth fixing at that point. A mechanic forgot to nip up the plugs during a service - number 6 must have been looser than the others......... To be fair the old crate had done its duty and owed me nothing. I miss the old beast but I don't miss fettling it all the time :). The new hateful object is awesome - get in, press the break, press the start button and go.

I don't come on this forum much because I had to scrap my 430 and have move to a RX400h (hateful object). Rock Auto in the US have really cheap parts. 140K seems low mileage for a duff CAT - I think it was over 200 on my 430 and then it was not the CAT it was an exhaust blow at the junction of the pipe to the CAT. After several attempts at welding new parts did the trick. The O2 sensors may be at fault. The exhaust blow does not have to be very big to cause problems. Good luck Bren