Tinonline

Thanks for the replies - this is great and is on my PC's favourite bar...as I keep going back to it. I don't want to over complicate the job: either by over doing it or under doing it! Most workshop manuals will have you dismantling the entire vehicle to repair a component...great for service charges but a little OTT for us owners. I want to do it efficiently. Maybe I can try it. I've got the engine fan + coupling...nothing fancy/upgraded.

Hi I've spent time reading up and researching the cambelt change. Sourcing parts, additional equipment I'll need to buy etc... plenty of great tutorials too. I'll make it a project over a number of days. Question: Do I need to remove the radiator...detach the ATF hoses etc? Can't this job be done with the rad in situ? As you remove the components you begin to create more space as you move into the engine? Having recently bought a 70k miles 400 with full service history but essential service routines...no cambelt change at all, naturally I plan to replace water pump, pulleys, tensioner and probs crankshaft seal. I have to do this myself... Car is a Year 2000 Interested to know your thoughts and experience.

Hi Steve Thanks...I've read many of your posts. I have contemplated the cam belt change but I'm not sure I have the range of tools/patience. I changed the thermostat yesterday (slightly faster warm-up and now temp gets to mid-point) but made such an easy job more complicated I'd be worried about getting stuck with the cambelt! Removing the rad looks like a pain and the crankshaft pulley torque... However I should be capable of doing it... I have seen the washer float repair tutorial...I'm going to have a go at that. Now I wonder what colour of nail varnish will be on offer..? I tend to grade jobs in terms of number of swear words required.

Thanks! :D

Hi fellow Lexonians It must be over 10 years since I last was last on these forums, with my GS300. I sold it and continued my long standing purchase of vehicles and kept my wife’s Jaguar S Type 4ltr. for a decent run or for a fun trip. Then flirted with a 4.2 XKR - wow - wife was cheaper to run and more reliable so it went...the XKR that is. My next door neighbour gave up driving and this presented me with the opportunity of regaining a second car, I ended up paying £750 for his year 2000 LS400 with 71k on the clock and a regular history with Lexus albeit essential services - as he did such low mileage. Now before you think I’ve ripped my neighbour off here are the mitigating facts: 1) Car had no MOT 2) Battery was u/s 3) One ignition key had snapped, the other had a flat battery 4) Crease to front wing and ditto to rear wing, poor paint up of parking damage to front & rear corners 5) Car is a metallic dark green 6) No evidence of a cambelt change 7) Wheels are rough 8) Bought as seen The good: 1) 71k that’s a new car in Lexus world 2) I know the owner... 3) Lexus invoice history back to 2010 but full set of up to date service stamps 4) Interior superb 5) Non-damaged areas of bodywork superb 6) Last serviced November 2014 and the oil is clean and golden 7) I managed to get some copy invoices back to 2005 thanks to Lexus, Reading 8) Tyres excellent 9) Number plate worth a few bob Work completed: the bad 1) New battery 2) Carpet fixing clips - no excuse for not having these: get those carpets fixed down! 3) Remove paint overspray from chrome areas & fog lights...had to buy wife new bottle of nail varnish remover... 4) Repaired ignition key with superglue to be used as a spare and put new battery in second key: all worked perfectly...I was worried about reprogramming etc. but there were no issues. Planned: the ugly 1) Drive belt - looks solid, but it’s old and a bit thin (done today, take a look at the pic - whoops). 2) Thermostat - maybe the LS400 is a bit slow to warm up but hey it’s the original so...(fan clutch?) 3) Gearbox oil change 4) Cambelt kit plus waterpump 5) Tracking, steering wheel is not straight and I have experience of this...too many timesxtyres 6) Some shimmy on breaking, maybe above +/or warped discs 7) Washer fluid float is u/s 8) Bonnet struts don’t strut their stuff anymore 9) Bluetooth convertor for the aftermarket Nokia phone kit installation I can’t believe the willingness and pull through the range. It’s not as quick as the S type...but it goes. I’m not saying that you can notice the difference either. For goodness sake the gearbox - how can this be so smooth? I can tell you I’ve read heaps on sealed for life gearboxes, here’s my take on it: B****. Change the oil and filter on sealed for life boxes. Jags with auto boxes were fitted with ZF which stands for “zer f***ed”. Banging and crashing, delayed response, total failure were all design features. BMW and Range Rover suffered the same issues...all fitted with that ZF box. All sealed for life but you had to have an expensive oil and filter (complete plastic sump bottom with integrated filter) change minimum although it was never in the service schedules. The ZF story is bad enough for me not to replace my year 2000 S type with the later 4.2 (sublime engine...). I have the earlier gearbox and that’s still complete rubbish too. As for Lexus...the clue is in the drain plug...it’s designed to be touched now and again. The strainer etc. I wouldn’t touch until I had racked up high miles. But a fluid change every year will be good. I’ve just completed a 500 mile round trip. Faultless. So here I am again...

Hi Much as I love having the Lexus stamp in my book for my old GS300 from the Lexus Reading dealer - some repairs can be too much! Any one know of a good mechanic/non franchise repair facility with good Lexus knowledge in the Reading area? Thanks

:D Hi, Just to let you know that after careful consideration I renewed the Yokohamas. After a drive on the M1 when it resembled a pond, I can't fault the tyres! Thanks for your input and I believe "if you are happy with them stick with them" is very good advice. My '96 GS300 (77,000 miles) has just sailed through it's MOT - not even an advice to report. This is my first Lexus and now I know why we all love them so much! Happy motoring! Tinonline

:D Thanks to you all. As usual great and balanced (no pun intended), experienced advice. I'll let you know what I go for and how I find the choice. Regards Tinonline

Hi Time for a couple of tyres. I know.... so many tyres and many oppinions and experiences. I've a Mk1 GS300: fastest milk float in the West: running on Yokohamas. Well, it seems to grip fine in wet or dry....really it does. Yes I think they are noisy and don't last that long. I thought they were very good. Is it me or are tyres actually quite similar and boil down to a matter of choice? Maybe there is a better of tyre out there? Very greatful for your experiences....should I change? Thanks tinonline

Thanks - looks like time to get my hands dirty! Tinonline :)

Any advice or tips on replacing the handbrake shoes & fitting kit on a GS300? Is this a DIY possible job without need for specialist tools on a Lexus? (I've done discs/pads before on a number of cars). Just had a quote for £221 from a brake centre - the shoes are around £42! Having done quite well with a disc & pad change for £200 (from Kwik Fit) this looks steep for just shoes despite the discs & pads needing to come off. Your advice very welcome. Tinonline