plastic orange

Well, that's it sorted - £120 labour. autodata give 3.1 hours for the job apparently, but as it was my mate's first experience of the job, it took slightly longer. Pete

Well, it's been transported by the AA to a mate's garage to get sorted today. AA guy didn't know where to look to check starter motor. Here's hoping that will be a fix. Pete

Every time it starts with a slight wobble on very light braking, eventually getting worse with mileage. Hard braking was ok. Pete

Dreaded click this morning and no amount of battery charging is helping. It looks like a solenoid repair is in order. Strange that I really had no indication other than dead battery symptoms - job for next week. Car has done 156k. Pete

Today is the first below freezing day for a while and guess what - failed to start with battery reading 12.3 volts. Charged it up for 20 minutes and it started no bother. I think the new battery may be faulty as car wasn't used for 2 days - job for next week. It's just been MOT'd and new rear tyres and brake pads so it seems things as usual all happening at once. Pete

Sorry, I've got to disagree. My lexus has had quite a few sets of discs over the years, and it seems that it doesn't matter if they are genuine parts or not - they seem to last about the same. I recently changed out Blueprint discs at 20k and fitted Pagid items - both with ferodo premium pads. Wheel wobble when lightly braking was solved (again) and I've since done about 3k and all still fine. Pagid discs did look a bit more upmarket than blueprint ones I must admit. Blueprint pads weren't great though - squealed a bit hence I changed to Ferodo. Pete

Original discs/pads were just the same as Blueprint ones I fitted - well, lasted as long anyway. Pagid ones seem pretty good so far. Pete

This going flat situation has only arisen very recently. I've left the car for up to a month whilst on hols and it fired up straight away, so I'm thinking something has happened to change things. It certainly doesn't inspire confidence if you can't leave the car for several days hoping it will start. Pete

I've not used the car for a few days so before starting it I decided to see what battery voltage was - 12.2, so obviously it's draining down somehow. It did start however and voltage when running indicates alternator is charging - 14.3 at idle. I don't think I have a starter motor problem, but something has recently happened to cause a battery drain. Of course, it could be the new battery is faulty. Pete

Car started as normal today so hopefully it's just been a glitch. Solenoid kit arrived today too, so if it happens again at least I've got the parts. Pete

Well, after yesterdays nonsense I charged the battery all day then took a voltage reading - 12.53v. This morning it read 12.52v and car started first time and continued as normal all day. I ordered a solenoid repair kit from ebay just in case though. It may have been that the new battery wasn't charged fully when I fitted it - we'll see tomorrow. A friend of mine who is a mechanic with the ambulance service told me that Bosch batteries were always failing, so they buy the cheapest and replace as and when. Pete

Well, I spoke too soon. Car started first time with new battery, but wouldn't today. It's on charge just now, so hopefully will start. I'll have to investigate the battery drain today. I'd absolutely no warning of impending problems. Pete

It seems that modern batteries give little or no warning about imminent failure. Mine was fine on Sunday, but failed on Monday and no amount of charging would have it hold it's charge. New battery today and back to normal. My motorcycle batteries have the same limited life too. Pete

First cold day yesterday and Lexus wouldn't start due to low battery. Charged it up and it started, but same again today. Fortunately my battery has a 5 year warranty (Bosch silver), so I'm awaiting delivery of a replacement. It had lasted around 31/2 years, so not too bad really these days. However, I have a 12 year old battery on my V8 Morris Minor which still holds it charge. Pete

I always do as Adam has suggested when fitting new discs, but still the shake comes back after about 10,000 miles and gets worse till I change at around 20k. It seems that disc changes have been at this mileage since new judging by service records. Pete

I get pad squeal after being parked overnight (particularly if it's been wet). A couple of applications and they don't squeal again till next day. I've got plenty copaslip on pads, so I just live with it. I can't live with brake vibration though, and as I've said, once it starts it progresses to the point that only new discs sort it - although I suppose that skimming would work. I used Pagid discs with Ferodo pads at last change. Pete

The only cure I found was to replace the discs - instant fix. Pete

Hi, Just type lexus ls430 pcv valve into google and you'll see pics. For some reason I can't just copy and paste link on this site (must just be me). Realistically, any competent garage should find it a real easy job to clean out/check your breather system. I think I would go elsewhere and make sure that car is filled with a good synthetic oil of the proper grade. if breather system is clear I'd then be looking at an engine clean - terraclean or similar. Car may need a good thrashing to clean it out too - poodling around doesn't do any car any favours. Pete

Are you sure all engine breathers are free including any PCV (positive crank ventilation) valves are operating correctly. If not, you will pressurise engine giving symptoms you describe. What grade of oil are you using, and has it been changed recently? My LS400 puffs a bit of smoke at start up, but clears quickly and level never drops. I use Mobil 3000 (5/40) fully synthetic oil and changed before 5k - annually. Hope you get to the bottom of it, but a compression test should show any problems with engine. Do a dry test, then a wet test and note any differences in compression readings. If wet figures increase it could be rings, but it could also depend on how the car has been used and things may be gummed up which could be sorted with an engine treatment. Pete

Discs seem to last about 20k. Symptoms start off as light wobble on gentle braking and worsen with miles to the point that driving pleasure diminishes. Discs and pads are easy to replace though, and Lexus discs don't seem any better than decent aftermarket. Pete

Unfortunately they don't last too long. Hopefully the Pagid parts will last longer than the 20k of Lexus or Blueprint parts. Pete

My lexus doesn't have the locating bolts either (not sure if any were actually fitted originally) - and it was serviced by Lexus until I got it. I never bothered though as the wheel clamps things tight. Glad you're sorted for another few miles as you'll be re-visiting this again. Pete

I really need to get the corners of the roof above the windscreen done and will replace the windscreen at the same time. I haven't got a price yet, but I'll get it done at Broughty Autos who did a superb job on bumpers after someone reversed into me. This is the only rust on the car, and it's in a place I wouldn't have expected. Pete

I've seen a few 400's and 430's in Dundee - not often, but they are out there. Pete

They are very easy to fit and you'll notice an improvement immediately. The pagid discs seem pretty good so far - done about 2,000 miles so far. I used Ferodo premium pads though. Pete