tonyflynn1

It was definitely corrosion, the metal pipe from the radiator was still attached to the rubber hose.

Did you loose the radiator coolant as well?

This is what puzzled me. Tony said said he had lost the fluid rather than the box taking in rad water.

I've had two epicyclic auto boxes dump their fluid onto the road and lose drive, but never did it damage the box in any discernable way.

Drag home - repair pipe (usually) - refill & drive.

I'm still using one of the cars five years on, a W124.

Damage was to the forward drive, reverse still worked perfectly.

It was definitely corrosion, the metal pipe from the radiator was still attached to the rubber hose.

Did you loose the radiator coolant as well?

As far as I'm aware, I didn't lose the radiator coolant.

It was definitely corrosion, the metal pipe from the radiator was still attached to the rubber hose.

So not all Lexus rads fail the Valeo mixing way. - (Now there was a case for a class action when there was an epidemic of failures some years ago. It's possibly still happening)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-LEXUS-LS430-AUTO-BLUE-/231583901172?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35eb79e5f4

Driving home one evening a few months ago, one of the transmission cooler hoses parted company with the radiator and dumped all of the automatic transmission fluid.

........

Being picky, the goal is really transmission oil temperature maintenance, so surrounding transmission oil pipes with rad temperature liquid is a good thing.

It could be said that keeping the oil temperature low is not that good an idea. A UK winter, driving in below zero temperatures plus wind chill; but don't ask me what the alternative is for us hapless owners.

Time to come clean Gents, this was my car.

Didn't someone from here fit an aftermarket cooler recently?

That would surely negate the problem.

Can I confirm that capping off the rear A/C pipes affects JUST the fridge OR the fridge AND the rear vents?

Why on earth has it censored Lightwater?

Down the road from me in Ligh****er then!

Or you piece them out using something like two of these for a total of around £60.

Two of what?

Oops!

two of these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-C-line-repair-kit-1-2-Repair-A-C-lines-A-C-tube-/180809522546?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Or you piece them out using something like two of these for a total of around £60.

Keith, good luck with this, I'm very interested for one.

Bump again,

Does anyone know the diameter of the rear ac pipes?

Thanks.

Thanks Steve, I'm up for having a go at fixing the rear air con in fairness, the car owes me so little, it would be a shame not to.

It's only a case of piecing out the damaged area and regassing I would have thought, using something like this - http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-A-C-HOSE-KIT-FLARE-TYPE-W-DRIER-FOR-HOT-RODS-MUSCLE-CARS-RAT-RODS-/321328178716

A quick update.

7 months on and the car is still riding just fine, nose is a little high so I must get around to checking the front height sensor.

Air conditioning has a leak somewhere above one of the rear wheels, pipe repair kit is next on the agenda.

A very viable alternative to WD40 is silicone lubricant, as used on underground plastic pipe joints. Around 6.99 from Wickes, repels moisture and also great in sticky electric window runners.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/silicone-lubricant-250ml/invt/432013/

Nice job Mick!

Where in Surrey are you?

Bump.

Does anyone know the diameter of the rear ac pipes?

Thanks.

That's encouraging news Matt, do you know the diameter of the pipes to the rear?

Sounds interesting Matt, thanks. I've got at least one leak on the rear of my LS430, thinking of trying something like this, or even this.

I'm guessing that the only major difference between UK and Japanese ECU is likely to be the mapping, rather like my shock absorber experiment, what's the worst that could happen?

I have to say that initially I didn't like this car but having driven it for a week I actually look forward to getting in the thing now, it's a world away from my old GS300 from donkeys years ago.

AC needs to be sorted and the ride height adjusted but beyond that it's very very good indeed.

I should point out Malc that those were low mileage secondhand shocks at that price.

I can most happily confirm that 48010-50110 will fit in place of 48010-50140 and the car rides perfectly.

130,000 miles, bought at auction for £1900 and fixed including labour for £320.

I just need to get the AC sorted now.

A little amateur research indicates that 48010-50130 were US market and 48010-50140 were for European market - 48010-50130 are listed as being compatible replacements in the US for 48010-50110 therefore I'm guessing 48010-50110 will fit in place of 48010-50140 possibly with the only side effect being a different ride. (anyone still awake?)

In any case, I'll know by end of play on Monday 19th August, I've paying my mechanic to fit them as an experiment - will keep you posted on the outcome.

The front shock and spring assembly is Lexus part number 48010-50140, I know a chap who has a pair from another LS430 but the part number is 48010-50110.

The question therefore is, what's the difference between 50140 and 50110, anyone have any idea and are they interchangeable?