Bluesman

Out of interest how long did it take for the parts to arrive? Mike

Dont forget you will have import duty to pay on the whole amount which includes your postal costs. Mike

Just make sure its nice and dry by leaving it near a heater overnight. Mike

Well its another point of view. Mike

Matt your Ford RS Focus customer is a product of all that is bad in this country which comes from constantly being ripped off and putting up with cowboys in all sorts of trades and services. If the country was full of tradesman such as yourself then there wouldn't be people like Mr Focus RS. Mike

I pride myself on being a good fitter; I've been doing it long enough, am still happy to learn everyday and don't think I'm a know it all, and actually care about the job I'm doing (of course there are some that couldn't give a toss, and just slap it in regardless; I actually do care about doing it, and do the best job I possibly can, often taking much longer on a car than is normally needed just to make sure it's as perfect as I can get it). But from time to time, a problem presents itself, and accidents happen. Regarding the rain sensor falling off, I'd need to know if it's the sensor that's fallen off the bracket, or the bracket that's come away with the screen. Because if it's the latter, it's not the fitters fault, that's a faulty product. I had a brand new C Class Merc on today, and did a great job replacing it. However, when I went to clip the scuttle into the tracking that comes glued to the bottom edge of the glass, the tracking twisted and bent. That's a faulty product, and completely out of my control. I spent a further 10 mins attempting to get the scuttle to sit in the tracking, but short of pulling it off the screen - which wouldn't achieve anything, since then it wouldn't hold the scuttle to the bottom edge of the screen - there's nothing I can do. So I showed the customer, explained, apologised (even though it's not my fault) and then pushed through a DMR report on it, and we'll be changing the screen for him next week to rectify it. Anyway, if the bracket has come off the glass, it's easily fixable by a windscreen tech. It takes about ten mins, and can be bonded on using mirror boss glue (two part liquid and spray activator glue, used to glue the metal bosses that mirrors fit to). I've done it plenty of times; ironically, the last time was on an RX... If it's the sensor itself come off the bracket, you'll be able to fix it yourself, or just take it into the branch that did the work for you and they will remount it. As for the sensor not working, it's entirely possible it's as simple as the "gel" missing from the sensor (if memory serves me correctly, the sensor on the LS has a rectangle of a gel like substance (not liquid gel, but more of a gum like gel) that sits between the sensor and the screen. If this isn't replaced, and I've seen it overlooked or missed several times, then the sensor won't work. Lexus are right; the sensor cannot be calibrated, because that wouldn't do anything. It can be activated or deactivated by the ECU. Merc's have a problem whereby if the sensor is removed from the screen and the ignition is turned on, the ECU thinks that it isn't working when it does a system check, so it deactivates it. Likewise if the sensor is unplugged and the ignition is turned on. This can only be reactivated by Merc by having a dealer plug a computer into the ECU and turning it back on. From memory, this doesn't affect Lexus', but to be on the safe side, I never unplug any sensors, or turn ignitions on until the sensor is reseated on the new screen on any car... Hi Matt - thanks for your note about my sensor that falls off. It is the plastic cover that keeps falling off mine - the piece of gel you describe is stuck to the screen but does not look new. I will take a trip to auto you know who when I find some time. I can see you have a great deal of experience and are pretty good - my problem is I have had trouble every time my 430 has had to have a new screen. last time was not a water leak it was a loose and creaking installation (3 goes to get right). I can see that in cold weather this could be a problem if you are doing the job outside. So I discussed this with the latest fitter and he said no problem I have had the cement warming up on my heater vents for a while and he was correct. So for fun he put the wipers back on incorrectly and my rain sensor does not work - this is not bad luck it is lack of care. You can imagine after the screen replacement every bump and rattle had me looking for a windscreen creak. Thanks for your really helpful and useful post Matt you have restored my faith in screen fitters. Bren We will all have to make sure that there is only one screen repairer we allow to do our cars and that is you Matt. Mike

What car did the wrong screen fit?? Mike

Its very difficult to know what prices are doing, up or down, as asking prices are very different from what the seller actually get. Its possible to find out what Ebay LS 400s sell for but its almost impossible to find out from Autotrader or Pistonheads and you would need their figures plus others for a decent analysis of the trend up, down or stable. Good cars with an honest history and an honest seller will always get better money than the rest so its difficult to compare like with like. Mike

Hi Barry I have just had my screen replace by autocrap and not only did they stuff the rain sensor (it fell of yesterday) they did not put the wipers back on in the correct place. The good news is they put the screen in correctly - last time they managed to get is right on the 3rd attempt. My first problem is to stop the sensor from falling off - anyone got any ideas. I was thinking about driving to the fitters workshop and asking them to fix it but think that may be a waste of fuel and time. Bren I have no doubt your cars windscreen was replaced by one of the big corporate windscreen replacement companies who only fit windscreens and yet they still cant get it right first time. Why cant they do the job correctly first time every time? Mike

Change over of Private plates, Covering up the real plates to stop anyone from using the actual number. Just two ideas I am sure there are more. Mike

Hello Barry. I don't know how many miles you have covered since the conversion but wait until after you have taken it back for its 1000 mile checkup. Mike

That's the sort of service history we all dream of finding when looking for our beloved LSs Mike

What an amazing looking car. There are many brand new ones in the showrooms that don't look as good as that, nice colour too. Mike.

I have already looked and its not listed on their site. Mike

Hi James, Nice to have you back where you belong. She looks very nice in the pics. I do like that clear lens change, really makes a difference to the front of the car. 5th of May there's a Lexus meet, here is a link to it. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=80199&hl= Its being organised by Ian, he would like names and numbers of people coming so drop him a line. Maybe see you and your car there. Mike

Are you doing it yourself Steve? No friend of mine is but he dosent know it yet Love it. Mike

Many thanks. First job in the morning. Mike

You sound like you might know where the fuse would be for the incar phone as my cradle has suddenly stopped working, I have checked inside the engine bay fuse box but no luck there. Mike

Minefield??? Your doing the right thing by asking all the questions now before the work is done as all the advice in the world is no good once you have had the work done and it falls to bits in front of your eyes. Mike

Why didn't you take up my offer? Mike

Hi Keith, I think the reason that the Water Pump is changed at the same time the Cam Belt is being changed is that to get at the Water Pump you have to take the front of the engine off the same as doing the Cam Belt and as the Water Pump is probably one of the components more likely to fail mainly due to the harsh environment and the job it does an extra £100 at that stage is common sense other wise you have another huge bill on your hands when it finally let go. Don't forget as well that all your Lexus labour and parts are guaranteed which is sometimes a difficult area when it comes to smaller garages. Good luck with which ever route you pick. Mike

The Spanish car has been up for sale for a few weeks now and will likely stay that way at that asking price. Still you cant blame the guy from trying. What is the Offset that you speak of? Mike

Well done you. Mike

This may be of help to you from our friends in The United States of a Miracle. http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-second-generation/347295-diy-serpentine-belt-hope-this-helps.html Good luck Mike

Don't be put off When I came back to Lexus late last year I bought FOUR within 8 weeks Since then I've sold two a 300 & 400 I bought them with the express intention of doing them up & selling them, in fact after I get it checked out by Lexus Poole I'll probably sell my other GS300 leaving me with one :doggy: for the moment That's just plain greedy, but it shows how much you love them. Mike