Tinonline

Ok well I bought a Gates kit from the US and the pulleys, with water pump. Comes with all required gaskets and instructions. I didn't take out the rad but do cover with cardboard. I bought a few bits: v big torque wrench (second hand) Allen key socket, cheap and cheerful small sockets and extensions. Spent £65 T298 kit and an additional pulley. My posts cover the gory details with some pictures. The small bits are the hardest and major work easy. Hours over stupid things...obvious when you know how but gets lost in the detail. Clean the timing pulley grooves with very cheap but good quality cotton buds. Change thermostat. Very satisfying job.

Well it sounds like a pulley bearing doesn't it? Did you put a wet belt back on and wd40 can still make a belt squeal? The belt is correctly routed? I don't believe you need to panic. Just recheck everything. Why did you replace the rad? Maybe the water pump is shot? Any leaks of atf anywhere?

Very nice indeed. Wheels look like new compared to mine - same style - I was quoted £75 per wheel for a refurb/paint....not re-diamond cut. I'd be happy with a paint as they would be warranted and the finish would last longer.

I'll take a look thanks

Drove my wife to her gym session...her Jag in the garage for them to replace the fuse they had removed from the radio unit in testing for a voltage leak so common to the marque, leading to flat battery. All on its own the issue appears to have corrected itself. Time will tell. In case she needed to drive it - I pointed out the controls. What followed was momentus. Wife acknowledged that it was a good car and very useful...worth improving a bit with sorting out the wheels and knocks the previous owner had put on to it...(the whole car was a parking assist for the previos owner...) The wheels are aweful and I don't think they can re-diamond cut can they? They'd have to be painted...and not many wheels look good on the LS400 and I want a direct fit with no spacers or change of rolling profile that upsets the speedo or gearing. What to do...?

Sounds a bit belt like. If you can get someone to start up with bonnet open and you carefully listening whilst keeping away and not touching anything... might be worth swopping drive belt and tensioner if not done for a while. Check for any fluid leaks dropping on to the belt. is it a pulley bearing squealing? Water pump? what work has been done and when?

Awful colour and why not fit chrome covers? Great job though.😀

They look great!

Mind if I ask how much per wheel?

ah yes as you say same old bollards. Just walk away. That's it. Walk away. Deep breath. That's better. There are great sellers out there. Not that difficult to spot as everything is so simple. Walk away.

With you there. Seeking to reassure that correct spec replacement or later replacement is ok. I think it's like non Lexus parts argument a lot is personal choice. Rest assured when our cars are classics we'll be only fitting Toyota/Lexus parts. i don't buy pre mixed as its a rip off.

Yes although red is being phased out and is difficult to get. Pink is used in all new Lexus. If you mix then mix long life with long life. Mix to recommended strength.

Red is the old spec replaced by Pink long life. Any good quality OAT long life will be fine. Folk get very cut up about these kinds of specs but a core reason of Lexus recommend stuff is directed by service length. Shorter life products are fine but don't match the service schedules. Same with oil and semi and fully synthetic engine oil.

Might want to take care to avoid allegations of misrepresentation or worse.

My LS400 Year 2000 flew through the MOT for the 2nd year in my ownership: no advisories. My trusty mechanic from ATS in Reading does my cars and has done for years. No favours though as my wife's Jag failed last year with a front drop link and that's an indy bill just shy of £300. All good this year for the fleet. If I was cashed up I'd attend to the wheels and knocks and bumps. What a great car.

Sorry to hear now you have to fight the establishment. Sadly the other parties claim effects yours too. Tit for tat settlement. You will need some legal help. I also think if you can get a cheaper repair quote that will your most powerful argument.

Yes dealer will infact just replace the belt and inspect the pump etc.. My motor had only a genuine 72k but needed new pulleys plus water pump. Whilst you're there it is worth replacing as much as you can. I did this job myself. So makes it quite cheap to do so much.

Getting a little bit tired of the trade car sales spittle in the ads. I know, I should not read them then... Most recent balls comments appearing on Lexus models and too frequently are "High Spec version" or similar. They are all high spec. Next up is bullet proof and reliability...only with a decent service history and some care. I'm looking for an SC430 for my wife to replace the 2000 Jag S Type...yes the one I rattle on about once in a while. My Year 2000 LS400 is irritatingly good. Shame Jag didn't match the build quality. (Engine top end oil leaks, air con pipe fractures, gearboxes, electrics - mystery draining battery syndrome, coil over plugs no way as good quality as Lexus, front and rear suspension). Working on an S requires a gyno specialist with full equipment who needs to be 5ft tall with very thin arms. Although the water pump change is a doddle! Work to do on the 400 will be on the front suspension, probs not much. Mileage? 79,000. (Jag has done 69k...with rear links and expensive front drop link - very normal). Have a later S Jag? Nope: ZF gearbox regularly terminal. Engines are perfect though and the 4.2 is fine and without the cambelt nonsense...but it still won't do Lexus strato miles as far as we know yet. One lady owner...surely that's a sexist comment and inferance...and illegal under multiple EU laws? Back to the ads then...

Nothing to worry about although I'd budget to replace it by the next MOT if doing lowish miles. Doesn't have to cost a fortune although getting quality at a good price takes time. I import from US if UK market doesn't deliver.

Reading Lexus very helpful I find with batteries and tyres good value for quality and at least match all others. My non franchise Jag specialist works on all manner of classics and has knowledge of Lexus so that's my route if I don't do the work. welcome to the pleasure dome!

They certainly have a good turn of speed.

are you sure the 0-60 time on year 2000 Ls400 is 6.3? That'll make it quicker than my 4ltr S type and I thought LS did it in 6.9.... Jag does 6.6

engine and engine output plus "other improvements"

Not if you own a 3.

Run. For £750 I bagged a 72k miles car. Some rough paint in places, needed belt & pulleys. Still a gem. That one is worth a few hundred - 200 quid.