Jason 92 Mk1 LS400

This story sounds familiar - little niggles, then small problems, then whoops !! :shutit: I've been down this road, nearly at the end now after spending about 2K. Be Warned !! be careful (unless you have really deep pockets and don't mind) This is my first Lexi, bought it cheap and thought I got a bargain (I bet the dealer is still laughing ) A bit of advice for anyone wanting to buy a LS400 - (please feel free to ignore !) don't buy the cheapest, they will cost you more in the end. Get the best you can afford and make sure it as a full "Lexus" history - I wish I had listened. I have just put a bid on a MK2 K plate with rear end damage as it is works out cheaper for me to buy a whole car than the parts I need. After I have removed the prop shaft, The whole Air-Con unit, interior, Power steering pump, Alternator & wheels - the rest of the car will be up for grabs if anybody needs any parts - except for those at the back (it's only done 58K with 1 owner). If I get it, I will post the details on here. cheers !!

Quote ..Can anyone verify when the second Cam Belt change is required?? Im looking at a 92 Mk1 and it has 132K on it now. From Micelis reply earlier I suspect its 120K. Does anyone know how much to change on approximately?? If the belt hasn't been changed on snhedule I need to use it as a bargaining chip. Anyone know about Burning Neons in the Dash. repair costs?? got that too. The cam belt should be done every 60K - I've just done mine which cost me £110, £40 for the part £70 for fitting. Forget repairing or replacing the neons - unless you can find some going cheap in a breakers yard - Very unlikely. A cheap fix (which I have seen done and looks okay !!) it to buy some modelers flourecent paint (the one I saw was green) and spray the needles whilst still in the dash (you only have to remove the clear outer cover) - make sure you mask well though !! :shutit:

Thanks for your input guy's - looks as though my car isn't worth as much as I thought. The dealer offered me 4.5K, but did say he would discount for no px - so really I am getting less for my car. I thought being LPG would be a big bonus especially on a 4.0 litre car ! I think I will have a go and try and sell privatly - watch out Autotrader here I come. Cheers !! Oh yes - the Mk4 is an "S" reg with only 45K on the clock and is mint - really mint !!!

I've just been to look at a Mk4 LS400 today - I've not had my Mk1 very long but am seriously considering a swop (well mine and a few quid as well !). The dealer offered me what he said was a "fair" PX on mine, but I was hoping for a little more seeing as the MK4 is 17K. Any idea's on what mine is worth ? Brief description. 1992 Mk1 LS400 (Duel Fuel LPG/Petrol) the car is mint, most of the niggles sorted (see previous posts), new power steering pump, timing belts, major C service - all within the last 3000 miles. Full MOT, 117K miles. The car is the pearl white with aftermarket alloys (soz the pic isn;t very good). The only problems which I have not had sorted is the aircon being a bit "weak" (as mentioned in previous posts) and the drivers memory seat doesn't store the memory - which doesn't bother me as I am the only driver (I keep the wife well away and hide my keys at all times !!) What do you think ???

My "dog" had lots of flees, I keep trying to get rid of em, but they keep comming back :o Does your air-con work ? Have you checked your power steering pump for leaks ? (a common problem) I've already mentioned the steering swivel joints how's the neon's doing in your dash As the timing belt been changed ? (just a few of the problems I've had - still love the car though !) cheers !! Ps - Nice wheels :D

just to add to the point above - I had exactly the same problem, It felt worse were you rest your left foot - a real annoying "judder" when going over 60 / 65 I was told is was the discs and replaced them - it still did it with new discs. When it went for an MOT - the guy told me it was the steering joints, so I had em replaced "WHAT A DIFFERENCE" it made, feals like a new car again. :D

The number "2" button does it for me :winky: (as in the presets for the radio 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc)

My apologies if I sound stupid :iraqi-info-minister: But whats an offset ? I've been looking for some SC430 wheels for my 1992 Ls400 (bit like tryin to find rocking horse S***), you've got me a little worried now - why is a spacer needed and if I do find some wheels, where can I get these spacers ?

Sorry here is the correct link for pic

I have managed to do the diagnostic on the air-con (After spending a further hour messing with it in Adsa'a car park whilst waiting for the wife) . It is showing diagnostic codes 21 then 33 - anybody know what these mean ?

Whilst searching for my Aircon sticker - I noticed the air intake on my LS400 has been blocked up with fix N foam (Sure this is not standard Lexus practice). Anybody know why ? Should I remove it ? Click for Pic

James - cheers for the tip - I found the label my system is R12 and I think the compressor is SAE J-639 manufactured by Nippondenso Ltd (Japan!!) - if anybody knows different, please let me know. I have sent the details off to the aircon people in kent who are letting me have a price for the conversion to R134A and replace compressor/ seals / receiver etc.. I tried the diagnostic - I spent over an hour pressing various combinations of buttons but nothing Andy - it looks like I will be visiting that travel lodge near you very soon :)

I am getting my R12 & R134A mixed up - It has originally R12 gas (which is now illegal) - So Mr AirCon filled up with R134A. I have found an interesting web site that explains the whole system, and how to convert from R12 to R134A (which the guy who filled up my aircon did not do - watch out for this Pre 1994 LS400 owners) http://www.powerbase-auto.co.uk/retro-fit.htm Pity they are 250 miles away - umm but if I get stuck it may be worth the trip. Anybody in Kent who can put up a poor LS400 owner for a night or two whilst I get my aircon fixed !!!

Curt - i was told by the Aircon guy that it was illegal to use the R134 gas (The orginal in the system) and whever I went for this, nobody would touch it - hence the R12 going in. The parts in the US seem very cheap - just for the Aircon compressor I have been qouted £650 ($1000 aprrox) just for the part. If nothing else, I am going to shop around for the parts and I think perhaps consult another Aircon specialist for confirmation on the type of gas Cheers !!

Cheers Matt - interesting but my needles are fine (is this another problem on its way ?). My black smudge is on the Radio LCD display and a little bit on the temperature display.

Jim, thanks for this - yes my LCD has the black smudge, which disapears when it occasionally gets warm. If I manage to get the air con working, I am interested in replacing the LCD (depending on how much £££) - If I can't get the aircon going, I dont think I will be forking out cash on a temperature gauge that tells me how cold my car isn't - I think I would rather not know when I am driving down the road with all 4 windows open and the sunroof trying to keep cool B) Curt - again thanks for your reply, it a shame I dont live in the States, sounds like you have the problem sorted over there. You are right about the coolant, mine is the R12 gas, but the guy who did the recharge filled it with R134a (I think I have these the right way around ?) gas saying this would be fine and it is a "standard conversion" - any comments on this as to if it is true would be appreciated. Oh yes I have the blinking light Admin - thanks for the welcome, I am near Manchester and yes, I do have many problems to sort out. At the moment I am thinking of "cutting my loses" - although I still love the car, I think I should have bought a better example. The wheel wobble starts at about 60Mph, which is most anoying as I do quite a lot of motorway miles - It is really bad between 75-95mph (my usual cruising speed) but over 110 it goes (but so will my licence !) I know its the wheels, they are not the originals and when I took em to be balanced, I saw on the machine 3 of the wheels were not running straight and Mr quickfit did not charge me anything but did say "Go buy some new wheels"

Hi all, I've owed my 92 LS400 for 2 months now and found this site whilst searching on the net tracking down the problems with my LS400 - wish I had found it sooner! - Many of the posts have been very interesting reading - its seems I am not the only one with problems, (my power steering pump is being replaced as I speak (or type!). Anyway, I bough my car "very cheap" (I am not a rich bloke!), I knew it would need some work doing to it - How much I didn't really know. (New timing belts, new wheels (not just tyres, the wheels), Steering pump) Loads of body work - You ever tried to match pearl white paint - What a ..............etc etc and now the Air-con I knew the aircon did not work when I bought it, being an optimist I thought a gas re-charge would sort the problem out (STOP LAUGHING !). The air-con guy who came to recharge it says the compressor is at fault and needs replacing (this is after he took 85 notes for a re-charge !). He as quoted me approx. £800 to replace the compressor and re-charge, however, he won't guarantee that this will fix the problem. I can just about swallow the £800 it would cost (Please tell me if this is too much), but for this amount I want a guarantee - As anybody else had this same problem ?, is it a common problem ? Any help or comments would be appreciated. Ps Ignoring the problems, which you may say I asked for buying a "cheap" Lexus, the car is great, it has done 116,000 miles but drives very sweet (except for the wheel wobble which will go when I get some new wheels - I would like those off the SC430 - nice 18" - but these probably cost a fortune !). A bit of advice from me - If you are considering an old LS400 - don't buy the cheapest, get the best you can afford and make sure all the toys works. When you test drive it, get it on the motorway - I only found out about the wheel wobble on my way home after I had handed over my cash. :iraqi-info-minister: