David George

At the weekend I fitted two new knock sensors. If you have never done this let me tell you, you don't want to. I have some pictures on my camera I'll upload a little later. The job was a nasty one, it included much swearing and once done, a lot of drinking. The car now runs much better, on cold start before there was a lot of badly timed firing. There is now only one ECU error code left to deal with. Code 1-3. On reading up, this seems to be due to the cam belt being fitted incorrectly. I have eliminated both cam sensors and loom ( 1.2kOhm for both sensors with 6.5kOhm back to the ecu) the only other one is the crank position sensor, I haven't got to it yet. The cam belt was last done when I was still at school so it looks like it is time for another nasty job. I'll replace all the associated parts at the same time. If anyone has any advice I'm all ears.

How's it coming along Dude?

I've also noticed a popping sound. More noticable on cold idle. I can't really see or hear any exhaust leaks under the car.

Could it be the exhaust manifold or is this very uncommon to fail on the LS?

Dear Ruud,

The chief tech at my Lexus dealer, which is Australia's largest, says that in the 10 years he's been there they've never:

Replaced the exhaust system in an LS.

Had to dismantle or do internal repairs to a Lexus V8.

Had to take the dashboard out of an LS (mine had a slight creak, now gone), and

I bought my LS at 100k miles. It had been standing for 15 months and it had a slight exhaust buzz from a tube somewhere in the valley at the rear of the engine. That was replaced and has never returned in 5 years. Perhaps your popping is also a minor item.

Regarding earlier posts, I've owned a Citroen CX, Mercedes 6.3, and a 1985 Jaguar Sovereign, and whilst they each have their virtues, they all had weaknesses. The LS400 however, so far as I've been able to discover, has none.