Tinonline

Mark i sat with the dealership and their computer records which they helpfully printed out so I had copy invoices... worth having a go at this...

Yes there are variations with $ exchange and I don't like location A/B with potentially doubled-up delivery charges at Rock. What I do like is the range and bang for buck - the US market is way ahead of customer care and when they say OEM quality they mean it. (Or they get sued). Their customer care, when you need it, I found to be excellent. I suppose it's a balance of costxtimexwhat you can get in the UK. I don't find the UK well served at all and for some parts it can be a pain. Even for Lexus parts I'd like to see more range and competition. Doesn't look good across the range. Let's face it: Lexus don't make oil/filters/plugs/coils/bushes/cambelts/pulleys etc. etc.

I've used Rock Auto and payment included customs/vat. Excellent value. Fitment is not an issue. noticed that the big eBay now states whether taxes are included and this is via their international shipping service...this always should be checked.

Hi - I've had similar. The float on the switch is u/s. The float assembly is via underneath - passenger side (of course), remove the engine under tray for easier access. You can disconnect the switch wiring here with a bit of fiddling. To remove the switch you gently prize it downwards and away...ensuring the bottle is empty....or collect the stuff! Might need gentle persuasion with a screw driver blade to ease out from the bottle. New one is connected and pushed into place. I left mine disconnected for now so no annoying dashlight and something I will get fixed.

Hi - I've had similar. The float on the switch is u/s. The float assembly is via underneath - passenger side (of course), remove the engine under tray for easier access. You can disconnect the switch wiring here with a bit of fiddling. To remove the switch you gently prize it downwards and away...ensuring the bottle is empty....or collect the stuff! Might need gentle persuasion with a screw driver blade to ease out from the bottle. New one is connected and pushed into place. I left mine disconnected for now so no annoying dashlight and something I will get fixed.

Wow we have gone to defcon 3! The garage has the opportunity to fix the issue. Maybe the relay will sort this. If not then that's the time to invite alternative solutions. "they" do need to explain in detail what they have done and how. You want to know there is no long term or other damage. surely a slipped belt won't cause those codes?

Very sorry to hear and I'm with my friends here. However I believe from a legal point of view they have the right to remediate the issue or if you prefer first chance of repair and as per Verbout, better to work with them to fix it. You may want to claim compensation later...or not. That damaged relay could impact and throw these codes. Also need to ensure everything has been plugged back in.

That's a great price for a premium tyre.

No one wants a squidgy Yaris...😀

OOOfff this subject often kicks off a debate... I had low profile Hankooks on my TR6 when they had just come into the UK and they were very £ reasonable - great too: probably a soft compound in the scheme of things with great grip. Now they are certainly a premium tyre. I've got Continentals on the LS400 as fitted by local Reading Lexus dealer for the previous owner. The dealership insist they sell at cost to retain the business and compete with very nearby tyre fitters - I believe them, as the unit price is not bettered by the usual suspects or web prices. It might be worth exploring that option. I certainly have no complaints as to performance: wet or dry, cold or hot. I had Yokohamas on a GS300 but found them too soft - did not return the mileage but that was a few years ago and quality does change. Falkens are on my 4ltr S type and strange as it seems they are very good in the wet but I'm not going to fit them again - good for economic pottering.. I can't say any tyre has put me out of pocket on economy. I pay more attention to the wet grip and then noise.

Sounds like warped brake discs. Well known issue and these match the symptoms. You might be able to see this by spinning the wheel or inspecting the disc with the wheel off.

Ouch the Rad thing is annoying and the eBay seller should swop it or refund...or pay for the repair if that suites you. I'd tend to get the old one rebuilt as it will come in well under your Lexus new price and - self-satisfaction bonus point - you have retained the original equipment. In my experience it will be as good as new too. On the starting: if hot sounds like fuel sensing so I'd be looking at temp sensor but you can tell as it fails to record temp. doubt injectors or plugs, lamda sensor going or as previously mentioned throttle positioner is very likely. Worth running out to a Lexus indie or even Lexus to plug in to get the fault codes as that way you won't end up replacing the whole car in the search of the fault. Don't worry about the starting - you'll soon get that fixed. Car will also soon be as good as new.

Thanks. Well I am not sure as I don't think they're OE. Given my mileage is a validated 78k they haven't done monster miles but may be 10 years old. If they were OE then up to 16 years. Perhaps the plug manufacturer is relevant? Maybe these can't do the 60-80k miles? the photo is a bit harsh though, the plugs are tired but were working fine...

I spent a pleasurable hour or so tinkering on Saturday morning. At last I changed my spark plugs. I expected to see the original Denso plugs (?) but was greeted by a set of NGK Iridium plugs that looked well worn at the sharp end. All done now. I've attached a mini-guide for those that have never attempted it on a Lexus - or are curious. Changing LS 400 Spark Plugs.compressed (2).pdf

Great job - there is now nothing you can't do on that car.

Hi Harry I've a 2000 LS400 and have plugs ready for my toolkit and time: they are Denso Iridium SK20R11 bought from OPIE OILS for £57.10 including p&p. Retail prices vary of course and they can be around the £70-80 mark. NGK, Bosch, Champion also do the iridium equivalents. In my case I can't see any evidence of my plugs being replaced, so worse case this is 16 years and 77,000 miles or best case before change of owner and records began 10 years and approx 42k miles. These are long-life high quality plugs and I have read of 80-100k miles as acceptable before a change. However, one might want to factor in time related deterioration and whilst your mileage is minimal, eight years is a long time...I would personally replace them. But it is not cheap. I opted for the Lexus oil filter as they are reasonably priced but I did baulk at the air filter and went for a Blueprint. As I did the work myself it does make opting for Lexus parts easier as I'm not paying labour charges and then the VAT on that. For example I would stick to Lexus transmission fluid and brake parts but I fitted Gates pulleys, waterpump, tensioners and belt. To sum up I believe it is preference/budget and not necessarily in that order! I wouldn't buy unbranded and I'm ok with quality replacement parts even if I have to get them from the US. As for your fuel consumption: well I assume you reset the trip...or if so it did reset? Any test drive and having the car idling whilst being checked and repaired by the specialist would reduce your average. In my case when doing my son's university run...superb on the motorway at decent speeds pulls the average up from very sub twenty driving I've clocked up in ultra busy urban environment if I haven't reset the trip! Good thing is your car can be checked at the service for anything untoward. Good luck and I look forward to hearing how you got on.

oh yes...soon stopped...

Good for yougreat job. many years ago I worked for a company that had advanced tracking on a vehicle...garage said vehicle wouldn't be ready for some time...they were using it to collect parts...times, routes, mileage all on a colour report...

I should have thought this would be part of the service. I use BluePrint parts if I'm going non Lexus but I do use genuine oil filter...I've got Denso plugs to fit and will be opting for Lexus tranny oil.

1) small trim at front of battery unclips by gentle pull up and away 2) long front trim: unscrew 10mm bolt right hand side nearest battery and pull right and out from filter holder 3) this exposes the filter holder and the inlet hole to the housing...take a torch and have a good look...into hole and how grey the inner coils of the filter are... 4) to remove you will need 10mm socket for the 3 retaining bolts, assortment of medium swear words and Phillips to undo the clip on air intake hose 5) unclips the electrical connector into pipe, some mild swear words may be required and stronger ones to release the electrical lead clip from the filter housing 6) twist and pull out the ***** assembly compressing the air hose to pull free without snapping or tearing yourself or hose 7) unclip the stupid collar clip to remove the cover and filter, to replace the filter slide it into the retaining collar and reassemble 8) bugger about refitting have a look at your throttle cable...lot of slack? That's your next job...

I intended to change the spark plugs but rattling around in my tool bag, box 1 box2 I realised that my small toque wrench required a connector from 1/4 to 3/8. Ok I've ordered one. I wanted to do the torque thing. Whilst rummaging I noticed the throttle cable was as loose as an unpegged G string. The front nut loosened off ok but the rear is not easy to get at as there are top lugs on the rubber mount. I wiggled up and out the rubber mount and pulled away the cable from the mount. With a grip and spanner the back nut gave. I then reassembled taking up the slack. The mount wiggled back in easily. Job done. Next was the realisation that the air filter needed changing. I inspected this last summer when I changed the cam belt et al and it seemed to be ok. I don't do much mileage but the filter needed a change. Oops looking at the records it's a few years old. in the old days it was a butterfly nut to take off a filter cover...so easy that you would do the job a few times to ensure you had done it correctly. But boy Lexus, Alfa, Merc, Jag give the appearance of ease but have nuts, collars, hidden out of the way clips...I shook out as much dust as possible and reassembled. New one will arrive in a few days. More work to do...

Yep on the cable probs just best tucking well out of the way. my ls400 wheels are so shot...

That's an AV audio cable...aerial/cd player or TV aerial?

Yep 5W-30. I've got Shell Helix HX7 AF in at the moment. Runs well. I've used Magnatec in my Jag 4ltr. and like it. Even the budget oils are pretty decent nowadays. If you get 6ltrs you will be fine with the filter change. I'm sure I put over 5.4 in though to get it to the mark.

Welcome to the land of the enlightened.