PJ1888

Hiya gang hope you are all good.Some time ago i wrote in about what i described as a (pinking) sound which was by far noisier from cold and became quieter when warm and i had some replies that it may be a leak from the flanges at the rear of the cats as these corroded with age.Well you were all correct as they were well shot.I managed to find a garage in Worcester (A4 Exhausts) who specialise in stainless steel pipes and what a great job they did by removing both (left & right) flanges and replacing with straight through stainless pipe.However after having this done i still had the (pinking sound) , but in all fairness to the garage they only did what i asked them to do .The job A4 did was superb and was needed but i decided to go to a local exhaust centre to see if they could identify the problem and was told there was a slight leak from the manifold but that they would not consider going anywhere near it,so i got a second opinion from another garage and they told me that ,yes it is a manifold leak but only Lexus will look at it.I now need help from someone who may have had a similar problem and could possibly point me in the right direction to someone who can carry out the repairs required,or if any of you have ever done this repair then a job is waiting for you ?. I have owned this beauty for 4 years now and totally love it but with money being tight ( same for all of us ) i have never been able to fully investigate it but it sounded like this from day one so maybe just maybe i have never heard how whispery quiet it actually should be.I have always had it serviced at correct intervals and tried my best to keep it as it should be kept so i want to hear it (or not hear it) as it should be.

Thank you very much Steve for that and i reckon you are right but it's still hammering down so i must wait before i can check it.Many thanks, Pete.

I honestly dont know yet Steve so when this rain stops i will try again and have a good look at it.Have you ever heard of anyone else fitting these to an LS400 ?.

I honestly dont know yet steve so when this rain stops i will try again and have a good look at it.Have you ever heard of anyone else fitting these to an LS400.

Can anyone help on this one please.I have a 1997 LS 400 with 16inch wheels in desperate need of a refurb.I checked out several options and then decided to try my luck on ebay for a second hand set with tyres and found four beauties with pirelli tyres from an IS 220 for £150.00.I managed to get them for £120.00 and was over the moon as they are in super condition.I must point out that before i purchased them i checked with several alloy wheel sellers and also a Lexus dealer to see if they would fit and all said YES so that was good enough for me.Well guess what ? They dont.I tried one of the front ones and it does clear the caliper and all five threads line up but vthey are approx 20 mil short of reaching the hub. ( totally gutted).Would spacers be the answer or is this a complete no go situation.All the best and ta for reading, Pete.

I just have ?

OK Guys i am clearly not as up to scratch as you are with the LS400 So this is from the log book. Date of Registration 21-03-1997. Date of registration in the UK 21-03-1997 Registration No P133 KOP Chassis No JT153UF2000082662 Engine No 1UZ0653308 Colour Green Please inform me why this is so rare.

Just a couple of questions if anyone can help.I hava three bulbs gone on the dash,one is the fan switch and two in the audio unit(1 tape switch 2 cd switch )Can they be replaced and is it easy.The other question is the three switches on the console.,heated seats and headlight wash.All work fine, as do the yellow on lights in the seat switches,but should they illuminate at night as they don't.Many thanks,Pete.

Very helpful Steve thanks. Now have some options and will keep you posted. Pete.

Cheers Steve.As you can see i ain't used to using this yet but we will get there.How do i locate ( Flanges ) thanks.

Hi ManicMark.Many thanks for your reply and guess what,you were bang on the button.Popped down to the local exhaust centre today and the guy who checked it called me over to show me and it was exactly as you said.One of the cat joints is blowing slightly ( the other side does not look too good )and is very corroded but i think it is original ( 1997 ) . He did not want to undo it incase it broke so he put some sort of paste on it as a temporary measure and it made quite a difference so you were right.I think the long term answer is probably new cats unless there is another way but thanks for taking the time to help me .Once again,thankyou, Pete.

Hi there, my name is Pete and i have a 1997 LS400 ON 178,000 miles.Have had it about 2 years now and it runs like a dream. However since i have owned the car, under acceleration ( especially from cold )the engine sounds as though it is pinking but dissapears somewhat when warm,although not completely.It did not bother me too much then but as time goes by it is very annoying.I phoned a Lexus dealership about the problem and he said it was common on alot of 300s & 400s and that it was the fuel injectors, but it seems a very risky chance in spending out on them if it may be something else.I dont really know anyone with any knowledge of 400s so here i am hoping someone out there may be able to help.Many thanks, Pete.