hollywood

My beloved GS430 sport navigator (2001) has died with suspected timing belt failure. I have been told by the garage that there is no compression amd it will be costly to operate on it to verify the cause of the breakdown. I need to know if anybody has experienced timing belt failure on a 430 engine and if so does this cause major damage. Everything else is too perfect about this car to even consider the scrapyard. Any views greatly appreciated!

Ps Is there any easy way to check if the belt has snapped?

Does anybody know where oxygen sensor #1 in bank 1 is? Even if you can tell me which side is bank 1 I might be able to locate it.

Hi I have a mk1 gs300 and in the last couple of days I have had the engine warning light come on when I am braking quite hard just for a second then it goes off again. its only happened in the last couple of days. any ideas what it could be.

recently I have had new rear tyres fitted, topped up the oil but its going for an oil and filter service today and fitted a injen air filter. would any of those cause the issue. the car runs mint and little things like this really bug me any ideas help please!

The light that comes on is the red one on the dash with the " ! " symbol. What does that mean? What could that be?

This is an easy one for you . . . check your brake fluid level. Most likely it is close to the lower level and when you brake hard the fluid moves forward and triggers the sensor causing your warning light to come on.

GO FOR IT! If you have not driven one yet . . . try it - you will not be disappointed. I picked up a 2001 GS430 sport navigator last January and I am still in awe at the power and smoothness of this car. I had a LS400 before this and the difference is significant. I'm hooked on V8 power and nothing compares to Lexus.

As others have said, the GS430 first appeared in late 2000. The difference between the sport and the se is that the sport has a different front grille and "touring car" style front bumper, a rear spoiler with brake light, cooler looking 18" alloys, "sport" logo etched on rear windows and front spoiler and firmer, lower suspension. Internally it has darker wood trim. If you can find a navigator model it's worth paying a few quid extra. This gives you touch-screen navigation, climate control, audio and other info. It really improves the front console and adds to the wow factor when others get into the car. Hope you find a good one!

The first thing to do is get a new Battery. No point in wasting time looking for a fault when the most likely cause is a weak Battery. Usually the first time you have Battery problems is in the cold weather. Good Luck!

If not the Jag it could have been the new Mondeo!

Check out the Jag website and the Mondeo site, put the pictures side by side and you will see what I mean. The Jag does look cool but it's no Lexus . . . more like a Ford!!!

If the GS430 has the same engine as in my LS430 then I would say go for it. It is one of the most under stressed engines I have ever driven. Every day normal speeds it will never go over 2,000 Rpm. Forget fuel consumption and running costs, just go for it. That is all I can say. I used to have a Mk 2 GS300SE nav and my LS430 beats the pants off it in every area. Especially power. I've not maxed mine but look on youtube and you can see the speedo on an LS430 going all the way round. Quite impressive.

It is the same engine that's in the LS430. If you think the LS feels quick, imagine the same engine in a smaller car. That's why the GS 430 is one of the fastest saloon cars on the road . . . apart from the likes of an M5 or Aston etc. Beats the pants off anything at the lights!

Speed cameras!

I just bought one 3 months ago myself and I am still getting to know it and discovering new features. By all accounts the 430 is an awesome car. If you can find a sport model even better. I think these look so much better than the SE. I researched this a lot before buying and you can expect no major problems - these engines go forever. However make sure you get one with a lexus service history - don't settle for supposed specialist garages, even if you have to pay a bit extra - it's worth it. Also you can expect to have to change the brake disks from time to time as they are prone to warping. Apart from that some things will need replacing after 100k + miles but sure what the heck - you only live once!

A word of warning, I've tried the aftermarket ones on my sister's Avensis and it hates them, tripping the warning light with P0135 and P0155 codes (oxygen sensor heater circuit malfunction). This appears to be due to the heater resistance (about 4 ohms on the cheap aftermarket ones, 12 ohms on the Toyota ones).

Keep an eye on eBay for sensors, they're expensive from Toyota/Lexus!

Do you know what error code you were getting? A P0135 or P0155 wouldn't be fixed by cleaning as it indicates a faulty sensor heater, not a faulty sensor.

Thanks for the advice. I don't know what the error code is - I was just told that it was sensor 1 bank 1 and if I booked it in they would replace it for me for about 300 quid. If I can find out where this is located, I will do it myself.

My engine management warning light came on recently so I went to a Lexus dealer who plugged it in for a diagnosis. I have been told that an an oxygen sensor needs replacement - bank 1 sensor 1 to be precise. Does anybody know if this is a DIY job or am I better paying the main dealer to do this?

Also, is this urgent?

By the way it's for a GS430.

It is not as bad to remove as i thought and i can get one for £40 inc del, i might give it a go as my windscreen excess is £80, I was doing 60mph, the sunroof was in the tilt position, the pigeon went through the sunroof smashing it, it then must have caught the metal rim and disintegrated, It was a three way split, 1/3 went back the roof and boot, 1/3 was lying in the sun blind that was 1/2 open, the other 1/3 was on the passengers seat boy does the granules of toughened glass cover a big area, i will have to hose the car down today, as it is covered in small bits of glass and glass dust.

All very well, but what about a thought for the poor pidgeon??? When you said 1/3 went over the roof, 1/3 lying in the sun blind and 1/3 on the seat, I thought crikey that is some bloody mess of guts, feathers etc.!

Hang keys on a hook in the hallway. I do.

Not THE keys, of course! Just keys. I've got a bunch (complete with a nice Subaru dealer keyfob) that fit nothing at all, the locks they fit have long since gone. But if the keys go missing I can check the CCTV, plus I can let the police know that there are people fishing for keys in the area.

I like your thinking. As it happens, I still have a spare from my old LS just to cause more confusion. Time to get CCTV installed - should be a deterrant.

Some shady looking characters were spotted by my neighbour in my driveway having a look at my gs430. Does anybody know how effective the security system in these cars is? Can they be easily knicked without the key? Is it a case of "where theres a will, there's a way" - if they want it badly enough, they will find a way of bypassing system? I'm not sure if I am more concerned about losing the car or them breaking into my house to get the key!

Perhaps it's a bit late for this response but there is a really simple, cheap and effective solution for this - I've been using this for years and the exhaust tip on my 92 LS is like new. I use a regular household pan cleaner - a "brillo" pad.

Yes, that is normal on the GS.

Thanks Maneesh. I can sleep easy now!

Having just purchased a GS430 sport I decided to remove the front wheels to have a look at the front discs & pads. When I removed the wheel I noticed that there are no screws holding the discs in place - If I pull them they move out of position easily. Is this normal in that the tightening of the wheel nuts is suffucient to hold everything in place?

Just took ownership of a 2001 GS430 sport - What a beauty!

Does anybody know how to get access to the satnav dvd unit in the boot?