lilmountain

Hi Sunny

I'm new to Lexus having just bought a 99 GS300 SE, it has a couple of faults but nothing I can't sort out and looks like a 2 year old car inside.

Thankfully the cam belt had been swapped about 2000 miles before I had it, but the idiot that changed it heated the crankshaft bolt and ruined the damper. I just thought I had a squealing belt so I swapped it without checking the fit as it was new but the squeal came back! So I bought a Lexus belt from the dealer only to find I could put it on without releasing the tension on the adjuster!!!

So I went back to the dealer (Lexus Nottingham) for them to have a look as to why the belt wouldn't fit. The parts guy spotted the problem instantly, that the damper was missing the outside part.

This wasn't obvious if you had never seen one before as there was still the groove part on, (I wondered why the pulley was rubber?) You guys that have changed one will know what I mean.

I was going to put one of those alloy crank pulleys on but after reading the horror stories I decided to buy the genuine part.

1. If you search youtube you will find there are videos on there like this

that will help you.

2. By taking off the front engine cover you can easily see the belt.

3. The 'fan' belt is the easiest one you will ever change, it takes seconds.

4. See above.

5. Don't know !

6. I used a hand impact wrench from Machine Mart or they are on eBay like this item 190400304542. They are worth their weight in gold it will make short work of removing the pulley bolt, believe me no messing with crankshaft holding tools or using the starter. Just use an impact socket with this tool.

Good luck.

PS I'm loving the GS300 SE

Gordon

Oh, and just checked out the youtube link; well found looks like it has everything you need. Had previously looked up the crank pulley holder, sourced in America on eBay for about £60 all in; now that I've seen how it works I'd definitely consider buying it if I did the job myself.

Thanks again :D

Sunny

Hi Sunny

I'm new to Lexus having just bought a 99 GS300 SE, it has a couple of faults but nothing I can't sort out and looks like a 2 year old car inside.

Thankfully the cam belt had been swapped about 2000 miles before I had it, but the idiot that changed it heated the crankshaft bolt and ruined the damper. I just thought I had a squealing belt so I swapped it without checking the fit as it was new but the squeal came back! So I bought a Lexus belt from the dealer only to find I could put it on without releasing the tension on the adjuster!!!

So I went back to the dealer (Lexus Nottingham) for them to have a look as to why the belt wouldn't fit. The parts guy spotted the problem instantly, that the damper was missing the outside part.

This wasn't obvious if you had never seen one before as there was still the groove part on, (I wondered why the pulley was rubber?) You guys that have changed one will know what I mean.

I was going to put one of those alloy crank pulleys on but after reading the horror stories I decided to buy the genuine part.

1. If you search youtube you will find there are videos on there like this

that will help you.

2. By taking off the front engine cover you can easily see the belt.

3. The 'fan' belt is the easiest one you will ever change, it takes seconds.

4. See above.

5. Don't know !

6. I used a hand impact wrench from Machine Mart or they are on eBay like this item 190400304542. They are worth their weight in gold it will make short work of removing the pulley bolt, believe me no messing with crankshaft holding tools or using the starter. Just use an impact socket with this tool.

Good luck.

PS I'm loving the GS300 SE

Gordon

Cheers for the extensive reply Gordon, much appreciated. I chickened out in the end, saw a lovely GS300 SE on eBay over the weekend; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110556418857&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT and snapped it up. I worked out that by the time I paid for the cam belt change, sorted out the other bits on my GS i.e. CD player, electric aerial, recon the wheels etc. I'd end up paying more so bought it all done already. I'll be selling the "old" GS300 but with the info. it will need cambelt change.

If I hang on to the "new" GS300 SE for 3yrs it will need changing so I'll keep your advice in mind. For info. I was quoted £297 by the local Toyota main dealer; 4hrs labour as I was scared off by the horror stories of non dealer garages going at it with blow torches etc.

Thanks again,

Sunny

Hi all,

Lexus GS300, standard 1997. It's at 130k miles and there's no history as to whether it's had a belt change at 120k miles as it should have. Running great but of course this doesn't mean anything as when it goes it goes. Don't have the money to pay out to a garage + I'm nervous at farming it out anyway given the reported sensitivities of the harmonic balancer and problems with garages heating up the holding bolt etc. So I'm contemplating doing it myself, a couple of questions beforehand:

1. Any definitive guides, written and visual that anyone can link me to or any pearls of wisdom to impart?

2. Can I get sight of the belt fairly quickly without too much work (especially as I'm definitely changing plugs and leads) and if so is there any sure fire way of working out how new the belt is? Stupid question I know as it's just a visual check but is there a wear mark, teeth or something I can measure to establish whether it's done 10k miles or 70k?

3. Is it good practice to change the other belt/belts while it's all apart? Also, any other jobs worth doing or checking on whilst it's open?

4. Given I've read there can be problems with the crankshaft pulley I've found a cheap lightweight one on Ebay; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220468804533&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT a good idea or to be avoided?

5. Found this timing belt kit on Ebay; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lexus-Timing-Belt-Kit-GS300-3-0-2JZGE-JT8BD69S-/260617147898?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cadfe15fa does it look okay or should I be going genuine?

6. Is there anyone in the South East area (I'm in Medway, Kent) who has the crankshaft holding tool that's willing to hire it to me? Or any tricks of the trade to get it off without bespoke tools. I can do basic welding so if anyone's improvised a tool before I'm all ears.

I use the car for my daily commute so preparation/time is of the essence, I have to do the work over a weekend ready for Monday's commute ideally so any bits needed in advance have to be planned.

Thanking you in advance for any responses.

Sunny.

Mileage, Condition? any pics? Noticed you have many many posts but me being new i've never seen it :(

ive put some pics up in my gallery but cant bloody find em lol,, been a while since i posted and its all changed. lemme work on that when i get back from work.

189kkm

good condition

dark metalic green,

ive converted the speedo to mph and also delimited it.

no blinky dash issues

aftermarket twin 2.5inch back boxes.

Hmm, sounds tempting. Only owned my GS300 for a month but very pleased (first car with more than 4 cylinders). Did see a couple of Soarers going for similar price but was scared of the TT and horror stories of driving in the wet. Also whether they're as reliable as the GS300? I have a silver P reg 1997 GS, not sport with about 130k (miles) on the clock, good overall condition apart from the alloys which could do with a refurb (but good condition Pirelli P6000's although I imagine you'd upgrade the size anyway)...worth a chat?

check this on ebay

gs300 sport alloys

I'm watching these on eBay myself at the moment. Apologies if this is off topic but I'm looking at upgrading from my standard 16" alloys on my non sport GS300 Mk1. Do 18" alloys create a significantly harder ride? As I do like the comfort/cruise feel as it stands now but really like the look of bigger wheels. Also, do the MK2 wheels fit okay on Mk1's as there's a few of those going around.

Thanks,

Sunny

Hi. a friend of mine owns a garage in bluebell hill village. "jd autos". its only a little local garage. he's a friendly guy and he really knows his stuff. He's called joe. he's fairly reasonable with prices too. tell him neil who had the is200 sent you if you decide to take a visit.

Cheers mate, much appreciated :D

Hey all,

Hopefully a quick one; I'm in the Medway area with a GS300 Mk1 P reg. 1997. Can anyone recommend a non main dealer garage in the localish area? Or a bit further out but still in Kent?

Usually do most of my work my self but probably need a timing belt change soon which I'm a bit nervous about and don't have the time to do. Don't want to risk sending it blind to any old mechanic.

Thanking you in advance.

Sunny

hiya-if you do a search using "lpg" in the search box im pretty sure you will come up with multitudes of threads on all the different systems,makers,cars and problems and gains etc-i know theres been lots written on here-hope it helps

Hi i have a ls400 on lpg, the gs300 needs a flash lube system fitted due to the soft valve seats,google lpg forum & you will find all the info there, I have a brc plug & drive multi point system on mine & find it superb £1750. There is a company on eBay in the preston area that does good deals on morreli conversions (my mate got his ls430 done there & is happy with it)£1300 & you get a loan car.

Cheers for the replies guys, I'm still looking around and will update if I do get a system in.

Thanks again,

Sunny

Hmm, I'm holding a bit of a monologue here but I'll persevere as someone else may find this useful. Apparently the Stag system is Polish whereby the control unit is one brand but then all the other ancilliary bits; injectors etc. are cobbled together by the supplier which in theory leaves more room for error. Admittedly I spoke to another fitter who of course was offering a more expensive system but it made logical sense. I currently have a quote for a Zaboli Alisein system of £1850 + VAT including a lube system, apparently all the parts are made by the same company and they've been around a while, continuously improving the system.

I'll keep this thread updated but of course if anyone has heard of the Alisein system or wants to recommend another one I'm all ears...

Thanks,

Sunny

Just has a quote for £1462 for a AC STAG-300 system from a company called Green Car Services. Great price but has anyone heard of the system or know of any dealings with the company? Also should I be asking for any particular extras or specifics to do with my car i.e. where the fuel cap is or location of serviceable parts?

Thanks,

Sunny

Hi all,

Apologies as there have been a number of topics on this subject although most of them seem to relate to issues on the MKII WTI engine? I'm a Lexus newbie having only owned my GS300 for a week. But after owning it for a week and getting approx. 21mpg out of it on a daily 60 mile round trip (do approx. 12k pa)it's clear to me that I need to find a cheaper way of running it or give up one of the kids for adoption! I'm seriously considering an LPG conversion and am getting quotes. However, the threads I've found seem to suggest that this is problematic...for the MKII. Are there known issues with the MKI or is it just a WTI thing? I really wouldn't be able to afford £2k's worth of head skimming, valve replacement etc. so any MKI owners who have experienced LPG conversions; please tell me what your experience has been. If it goes pete tong in the long term because of the conversion it's bye bye Lexus and that would be a real shame :-(

Also, would anyone recommend any companies in Kent/South London?

Thanking you in advance.

Sunny

I've used aftermarket "cheap" ones on mine before with no problems at all. I've found the calipers and slide pins to be the major cause of headaches on the brakes. If they sieze up to any major extent, your discs are toast regardless of price/brand. The current grooved and dimpled discs on mine have lasted well so far.

Sorry for all the questions but I was looking at standard smooth discs. I'm no boy racer so will they be adequate or do you really notice the difference once you start getting grooved/dimpled ones? I've seen claims about shorter stopping distances, releasing pent up gases etc. Thanks again.

As far as I know, standard thickness is 32mm, minimum thickness is 30mm (excluding the lip on the edge).

Cheers for that tiger, oh gs300 mk1 guru. Looks like they need changing then. There's a lot of offers on eBay of OE discs with mintex pads. Given the huge difference in price can I get away with this or are Mintex discs really that much better?

Thanks,

Sunny

Hi all,

Just bought a 1997 GS300 mk1 on Monday, my first Lexus and I'm loving it! When I bought it I knew it would need the brake pads changing and possibly the discs. It's just had an MOT with no advisories but the pads are very low so I will change them. The question, however, is how much tolerance/wear is allowed on the discs. The fronts are worn by about 1-2mm possibly. Roughly how many mm of lip is accepted? I didn't want to put new mintex pads on which wear to the shape of the lip and then replace the discs in a few months time. My neighbour suggested (assuming the wear is acceptable) that I grind the lip off in line with the rest of the disc, very carefully so that they don't wear the new pads unevenly.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Sunny