Toady

Hi,

I guess you are using the Lexls tutorial for the plug/lead change. I did mine a few weeks ago and a couple of points not mentioned are the coil to distributor leads are clipped on to the coil and you have to depress the clip to remove the lead ( do the top coil 1st so you know how to do it as the other is mounted lower down the engine) and the lower coil lead passes through a rubber grommit in the engine cover so beware when removing/refitting.

If you are using OEM leads they will fit into the original wire holders but make a note of the routing for each one.

If the old leads are original they are numbered and date stamped and may also have additional plastic spiral wrap at the bend points this proved impossible to remove as it was so brittle with age so my new leads went on without it.

You should have some dielectric grease in the lead pack make sure you use it.

Ther plugs are deeply resessed in the head and you will need an extension on the plug socket to reach them also hand start the plugs as the head is alloy.

Good luck.

Many thanks for the tips - the leads are oem size - I'm not after performance gains on this car (yet), just getting it on new stock parts. I have a project car already and need this one to be tame and relyable.

After spending alot of time looking about for parts for my LS400 that wouldnt cost the earth I contacted an unlikly source to see what he could do.

I'm pleased with the price given that I didnt have to wait for international delivry or pay import charges ;)

http://www.fordprobestore.co.uk/store/index.php?cPath=159

I've read the instructions for changing the plugs / leads but does anyone have any other tips that may come in handy?

I've also found brake parts at a reasonable price from www.buypartsby.com

My car was cheap I have to say - it hadnt been looked after very well by the last owner so apart from the service I'm starting on shortly it also needs some of the bushes replacing (superflex are a good source I hear) new disks and probably the gearbox fluid replaced. It will get there in the end!

mine HAD gold badges - someone's ripped off all the rear badges (and just left me with the scares) but left the front one because it wasnt as nice looking.

Needless to say the front grille / badge are now satin black and look a damn site better for it!

The chrome badges on the back will be going satin black when I can work out how to get them off without scarring the car further.

Personally I wouldnt pay lexus prices for exhaust parts - find an exhaust place you can trust (Custom exhausts in Cardiff is the one i use) and have them do owhat you want.

In my case mine was blowing when I got it - they found that there was only one bolt in a two bolt flange - the joint had been plastered in exhaust paste - so they seperated it, cleaned off the old paste and applied a small amount of fresh paste and another bolt - all fixed up good as new for a wopping £10 !

Exhaust work doesnt have to cost the earth !

Just wondering how your leater is holding up - most LS400's I see have very nice leather in them, however the dye is missing from a large amount of my steering wheel and a patch on the top of the shifter - it makes me question the milage of my car (an indicated 87k) - did its previous owner use abrasive driving gloves I have to wonder?!

Any tips on where I might find a replacement steering wheel / shifter - OEM or aftermarket I dont mind too much so long as they are cheap! (I didnt spend much on the car).

Also interested if you have any restoration tips that might help me revive the sorry looking innards!

Hi Toady

I am breaking LS400 MK3 model

Let me know the colour of your interior, most parts available

PM me your email address and I can send you pics of the parts I have

All Parts reasonably priced and can arrange courier delivery

Thanks

Benfur

Thanks mate - I'll be in touch.

Just wondering how your leater is holding up - most LS400's I see have very nice leather in them, however the dye is missing from a large amount of my steering wheel and a patch on the top of the shifter - it makes me question the milage of my car (an indicated 87k) - did its previous owner use abrasive driving gloves I have to wonder?!

Any tips on where I might find a replacement steering wheel / shifter - OEM or aftermarket I dont mind too much so long as they are cheap! (I didnt spend much on the car).

Also interested if you have any restoration tips that might help me revive the sorry looking innards!

Mk1 rev2 ('94) with 87k

Help - I'm new to Lexus ownership and I have some issues with mine.

The one I need help with initally is the Audio System. I understand there were two options for my car - the standard system (pioneer based) and the Premiere system (Nakamichi based). How do I tell what i have got?

The 6 disk changer looks to be Pioneer hardware - do I need to check anything else?

The next question is what hardware do I need to replace the system - I have a Kenwood radio from my last car (single DIN) that I would like to use, after a dig on e-bay I found :

Dash Kit: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=360072180602

Adapter lead: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=130213943994

The latter looks like its intended for the nakamichi system - is this correct - is there another lead I can use (assuming I have a pioneer system I would want Lexus to ISO connecter).

Once I get to that point I could do with some sane suggestions about a route to take the CD changer cable to the boot - I intend to fabricate a holder for my kenwood changer to replace the stock Pioneer one while still filling up the hole left by the orrigional unit to retain stock (ish) looks in the boot.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can give me.