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Titch LS

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Posts posted by Titch LS

  1. John, I've had this problem recently too, so I replaced the pollen filter,(easy Job on an LS). One thing I've found though, and this applies to any car; I never use the Recirculation button without the A/C being on, because when it is raining, being in Recirculation mode without A/C switched on will guarantee you a quickly fogged up windscreen. Recirculation mode is only safe when it's not humid outside or it's not raining. In fact I found that the A/C works better with Recirculation switched on. Having only outside air to the vents i.e. Recirculation off, also stops fogging up.

  2. Ron, A failing Battery is the more likely cause (but not the only one). I've had the same lights come up before on my motor whenever voltage is only slightly too low, (even though the car starts fine). New Battery cured the problem. Also, check the output of the alternator; should be good though, they seem to last for ever. You should see around 14 volts with the engine running. The VSC and Trac lights should go off after a few miles once enough voltage is restored. I've learned that these cars need their electrical supply to be at its peak at all times.

  3. John, I don't think the LS430 wood/leather steering wheel will fit an LS400. I believe the connections are different. About a year ago I replaced the regular all-leather steering wheel on my mk4 for a wood/leather one taken off a recently scrapped mk4. It was in nice condition too and only cost me around £50 plus p+p. A real bargain I thought. Swapping it over is relatively easy, so long as care is taken with the airbag i.e. disconnect the Battery for at least 10 mins for the capacitors to de activate. You don't need a puller either, just a good hard yank will do once the central nut is undone.

    • Like 2
  4. I once owned the earlier front wheel drive Legend (2001). Great build quality and very reliable but not quite up to Lexus refinement standards. It was an obvious copy of an LS, even the cabin was of very similar design. One thing I do remember; the heated seats worked really well; they scorched your bum in the winter; much better than the LS! The only problem I had with it was a duff ABS wheel sensor. I exchanged it for my present mk4.  As for the red Fsport, I think it looks fantastic.

  5. I've always thought that Top Gear has had a huge influence on the British car buying public. Most German cars got rave reviews on the show but quality Japanese cars hardly got a mention. Every week it was BMW this or Audi that or Mercedes something else. I got fed up with it in the end.  I've just come back from visiting Colorado and there you could hardly see anyone driving a German car. They were nearly all Japanese, American and Korean motors. Quite refreshing for me; it just shows how marketing works in different cultures.

  6. I remember now, when I replaced my condenser (Rockauto), I  also replaced the receiver/dryer (recommended), which was also from Rockauto but was very cheap. It sits in front of the condenser; very easy to see and get at. One problem though, the bolts holding it, I was told, "always break". Sure enough, like Shanra reported, they broke. Something to do with a chemical reaction between steel and aluminium. Had to take it to Japex in the end, who sorted it for me.

  7. I'd be surprised if both the compressor and condenser are leaking at the same time. Extremely unlikely I would say. It would be one or the other. The condenser is the more likely candidate as they are prone to puncturing by stones etc., but a genuine Denso can be got from Rockauto at a very reasonable cost. I know as I ordered one from them a while back. The compressors tend to be bulletproof. Hope you get it sorted ok.

    • Like 1
  8. I changed the diff oil on my mk4 after it had done 100k miles or so. It's stinky stuff! Also, the hex nuts can be very tight, so make sure the Allen key is a really good fit before you start wrenching on it; you don't want to 'round' the nut. Always top one first. Make sure the car is completely level when you do it or you could under fill it. Use the right grade of oil. It comes in squeezy bottles which have a long plastic tube for the filler hole.

    • Like 1
  9. I don't hold with the latest 'lifetime fill' concept on modern cars. Manufacturers want to replace your gearbox when it fails. The sooner the better as far as they are concerned, preferably, just as the warranty runs out. It's a big con. No ATF can be that efficient that it never needs replacing or replenishing at some point. My neighbour never changed the ATF on her Beemer X5 and guess what? Yep, catastrophic gearbox failure. Cost her a fortune.

    • Like 2
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