PEPE

Yes I agree with Malc. My very knowledgable indie advises, in no uncertain terms, not to touch the gearbox. It took me some time to accept this as I do not like to skimp on the maintenance of my two LS400s. I have also read in the motoring press that other prestige makes for some time have been making automatic gearboxes "sealed for life." I find this reassuring. Pepe

This is the sequence of events relating to my Mk4 which has done 169,000 miles: Day 1. I do a 50-mile drive. Car absolutely flawless. Put car in my garage and connect my CTEK battery charger. Day 2. The following day I start up the car but I instantly remember battery is still connected to the CTEK charger. I shut off the engine and disconnect the charger. When I restart the engine the battery icon in the instrument cluster DOES NOT go off. Day 3. Alternator failure is diagnosed. Buy new TOYOTA unit (That'll be £219, Sir!). New alternator installed, car performs flawlessly again. Query: Could I have ruined the alternator by starting the engine whilst the CTEK charger was still connected? Many thanks in advance for your views. Pepe

The same is likely to happen to me for exactly the opposite reason.

I am now 73 3/4 like Adrian Mole.

The day Steve doesn't pass or gets an advisory I will CANCEL my membership!

Couldn't agree more. I particularly like this bit: "anthropomorphic/emotional level" i know exactly what you mean.

The service records of my Mk 3 indicated that the car’s timing belt had been changed on schedule at 60,000-mile intervals. The third change was done on 13 December 2007at 182,244 miles. On 7 December 2013, i.e. after the six-year recommended interval, the car had done 229,120 miles. Keeping in mind that Lexus recommend that the timing belt should be changed at 60,000 mile intervals or six years WHICHEVER COMES FIRST I concluded that car was now due for a new timing belt. Earlier this month I decided, therefore, to do things properly. I was also curious to see how the components had fared in an engine that had done 230,000 miles with no undue noises or loss of coolant. Armed, therefore, with my LOC Gold Card I went to Lexus Guildford where they were happy to give me a 10% discount. I also instructed my indie, John Hill of HILLSONS LIMITED in Angmering, to do the job. As a matter of fact, John, who has known my car since 2006, had done this job for the previous owner. Here is the financial side with prices shown AFTER the Lexus 10% discount: 1-Water pump £89.80 1-Timing belt £48.15 1-Idler £133.43 1-Idler £78.66 1-Tensioner £60.12 £410.16 VAT £82.03 Sub-total Parts £492.19 Plus Labour £175.00 11 lts Toyota coolant £45.03 £220.03 VAT £44.01 Sub-total Labour, etc. £264.04 Grand Total £756.23 Here are the components that John replaced: Here’s how the Water Pump looked, immediately after it was removed from the engine. Notice the absolute absence of sediment or debris which I would have expected after 231,170 miles, to be exact. John told me that he always used Toyota pre-mixed coolant when servicing the car. The previous owner felt that a genuine Toyota replacement timing belt would not be necessary, so John fitted a Japanese substitute that appears to have done the job very well indeed. No signs of wear could be seen with the naked eye as shown below. To sum up, in John’s opinion all the components he replaced were in very good condition and he attributed this to the fact that the car has been always very maintained. My approach might seem a little OTT to my fellow LOC members as I have also followed this procedure with my Mk4 which ‘only’ has done 168,000 miles. My two LS 400s are simply objects of beauty and delight. I keep both in show-room condition and I think they are worth every penny I spend on them. I now sleep well. Finally, I’d like to put in a good word for John Hill. Heis an excellent mechanic and I would recommend him without hesitation. Just PM me. Pepe

This is a truly wonderful and fascinating story, and provides ample evidence that the LS400 is an excellent and peerless car. Mark my words: this car will become a collectible classic before long. Pepe

Hi Docp I might sell my Mk3 which I've had for two years and is in showroom condition. You can get a flavour of what I've done to the car here: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=267284 I've easily spent more than £4,000 to get it into this condition. The only reason I'm selling it is because a year ago I bought a Mk4 which I also subjected to the same treatment. Best wishes Pepe

So sorry that you have been so unwell, Mike, and for so long. Please accept my very best wishes for a quick and full recovery. Pepe

Interesting feedback, Phil. If you are game I'll meet up with you at Dial Post on a nice evening at short notice. Let's keep things simple. Pepe

Hi Paule I think this could be a battery on its last legs. Tell me, does the tilting mechanism work properly the minute you insert the key? If it doesn't don't blame the tiling motor, blame a weak battery. As a metter of fact this happened to me and the battery failed during the MOT yesterday. Fortunately a new TOYOTA battery will be installed tomorrow afternoon. I hope this helps Pepe

Welcome, Graham. You got yourself a lovely Mk4. Well done and happy motoring. Pepe

Lovely car, Barry. Many congratulations. Pepe

Steve2006, where are you?

I'm happy for you, Phil. Happy motoring in the 430. Pepe

Steve2006, where are you?

Same here.

Sorry to see you go, Ian. Who's going to sell me Lexus goodies from now on? All good wishes to you and your wife, Pepe

Something happened. I can see all the pictures now!

I haven't been able to see ANY pictures for the last 5 days or so. Any feedback from other members? Pepe

I am enjoying this thread. It shows the LOC at its best. Pepe

I am sure its me but I cant get these jpg's to open. Mike You are not alone, Mile. I have the same problem. Pepe

Question for Steve 2006: Do LS 400s also have a transmission intercooler, or does this thread apply to LS430s only? Many thanks Pepe

I agree with Chris. The sat/nav in my Mk4 puts me off completely and I don't even dream of using it. It would be nice if Lexus made a few CDs with current features as a courtesy to enthusiasts like us who take the trouble to maintain and keep the early cars on the road. But the, that would be really dreaming . . . Pepe