Rodt

OK. I give up. Where is the internal fuse box?

Thanks everyone. I'll have another look at it tomorrow. Internal fuse box? Missed that. Will investigate.

Then I remembered there are cigar lighters in the rear doors, both of which are working so completed the tyre pumping. Bit of a mystery that the one in the front is out of action but such is life and all that.

Now working out how to run an cigar lighter extension lead from rear to front.

I was pumping tyres up with a tried and tested pump running off the cigar lighter when it stopped. Nothing else plugged into the cigar lighter works so I thought - fuse.

Checked every fuse - would be nice if they were labelled or if there was a diagram in the driver handbook - and still nothing.

Any ideas?

I wouldn't normally bother that much but I am directionally challenged and rely on my satnav which has only a two hour Battery life.

Mine used to do that if I came to near stop after travelling for 30 minutes or more. Put a couple of cans of petrol treatment in the fuel tank over 2 fillups and no problem since.

I am absolutely sure that I've seen a 'how to' guide on replacing weak bonnet struts on here but I can't find it now.

I have the replacement struts but not a clue as to how to start the work as it's a big lump of metal to deal with.

The MoT tester was warned but still ended up wriggling on top of the engine. Oops!

I got the same quote from 2 independent sources. Part is around £90, the rest is labour. Not something I can do myslef due to a combination of mechanical ineptitude and arthritis.

I have Falkens on my Alfa Romeo Spider which seem good. I run at 41psi as recommended in the MK3 handbook. Wear is even so over- or under-inflation would not seem to be an issue. I do drive in a manner of "making good progress" as I was taught so maybe that doesn't help?

How dare 'they' fail my baby on one point. Just a broken rear coil spring after all. Damn, that's £250 I'll have to find from somewhere.

Also, it looks as though I need 3 new tyres (1 was replaced recently due to a puncture) as the existing Barums are well worn - and evenly - despite only having covered less than 5000 miles. This is not good. Any ideas?

I'm losing around 5psi a week from each tyre, slightly more so on the nsr.

is this down to iffy road surfaces or is it common with Lexuses (?Lexi?)

I know it's not really possible to diagnose a noise issue for sure but just wondering if this is a problem others may have encounterd.

Both of my Alfas are off the road thanks to eagle-eyed MoT testers so my 1996 LS400 is presently my only means of transport, there being no viable public transport in the village.

The noise is a fairly loud whirr when the car is in drive and etiher held on the footbrake are travelling at parking speeds. It seems to disappear as soon as we get moving.

As ever, she otherwise does everything perfectly despite being close to 150,000 miles from new and having had the o/s front wing remodelled thanks to a passing bus.

Shirley is a 1996 LS400 with over 140k miles recorded. The upholstery is beige and generall in very good condition apart from feeling a little dry and having some light scratches on the drivers' seat base from a certain dog bouncing his way across to the passenger side.

Any recommendations for cleaning/renovation in terms of methods and/or products. However, I am on a limited income so products that don't break the bank please.

I do have a fresh tub of quality saddle soap but a friend suggested that was a bad idea.

Rodt, the mirror comes off easily, according to my Workshop Manual. Here's what it says; Place a clean rag around the edge of the mirror (between the mirror and the surrounding casing). Pull on the rag at the base of the mirror and it will pop out and swivel 90 degrees upwards. It will then come away from the top edge from two plastic claws. The wiring is simple and undoes with a small screwdriver. Once off, you will see how easy it is to connect the wiring and pop a new mirror in. Hope this helps.

Sounds good. I'll give it a go as soon as the new glass arrives. Thank you.

LS400 1996

OK, this is a bit embarrassing.

I am very very aware of my limitations when it comes to doing work on cars/houses/gardens etc. Basically, I have always been incompetent but now I have physical issues including diabetic neuropathy and osteoporosis that make gripping and turning things by hand awkward.

However, finances are not good just now - I run 2 90s Alfa Romeos or 'money pits' as well - so I can't just drop into the garage to get things fixed.

The nearside mirror glass is rapidly losing it's backing so only has about 75% actual mirror left. Getting the glass itself is no problem but is there a simple guide to fitting it? I am a bit scared of the electrical connections, to be honest.

Thank you for the advice. Sounds much less scary than I had expected.

I'm already using a prop for the bonnet as I like to check the oil and water every now and again just for the sake of it. Unforunately the first prop I used was an old walking stick that's been in the family for years, which I found to be a swordstick. Probably not the best thing to keep in the car even if was very blunt indeed.

Now using a modern carbon-fibre walking stick which does the job nicely.

I bought replacement struts months ago but it is only now that I have time to actually do some work on my LS400. My Alfa GTV has been taking up my time, like they do.

I'm sure I saw a thread on here with a 'how to' on strut replacement but I can't seem to find it now.

Any pointers or advice gratefully received.

Nice meet today I enjoyed meeting everyone again and all the new comers! Next time I am bringing a packed lunch! £2.80 for a slice.... just 1 slice, of bakewell tart!

Pictures coming soon, and a mini video

Really annoyed to have missed this. Have been to Gaydon twice this year without actually getting into the museum (STAR90 - Standard Triumph 90 year anniversary rally and Banbury motorcycle run). I will get in there one day and thanks for the tip about food prices.

Many apologies. Woke to the alarm with a dreadful headache so got in a few more hours and it's too late now. It is chucking the rain diwn here but hope it' better for you guys

I'll be coming up A41 to Aylesbury then A418 to M40.

Best not clean my car. Apart from not wanting to show you folks up, it will make for a good 'before & after' display. Plus I just can't be arsed.

********UPDATE*****

when you arrive just tell whoever is on the gate, you are there for the lexus owners club meet. You will then receive the reduced admission price.

If the weather is nice we will all be parking along the driveway up to the museum.

British motor museum at Gaydon.

reduced prices are £8pp £6 for children 5-16 yro under 5,s free.

We need at least 12 members attending to get the discounted entry and group parking.

Names below please.

Please note....regarding payment you can pay on the day individually.

Regarding camping if you want this could you make your own arrangements please.

These sites are near venue.

We have several camping facilities nearby which we recommend -

Fir Tree Farm which is in Warmington which is 6 miles roughly 11 minutes away from here.

Please find the link below - http://www.caravanca...firtreefarm.htm

Anitas which is in Mollington which is 8 miles roughly 14 minutes away from here.

Please find the link below - http://oxfordshirecamping.com/

However, here is a link with more camping sites near us - http://www.ukcampsit...ty=Warwickshire

Our postcode is CV35 0BJ this is just incase you wish to find out the distance from us to any campsites.

1. IanS200 motor Museum...3 adult and 2 children./museum...confirmed

2. ChrisIS200SportTTE Museum/camping. confirmed

3. Bluesbreaker museum/camping .... confirmed

4. Maduggo museum. 2 adults confirmed

5. Bluesman....confirmed via pm

6. Dinho...confirmed

7. Bookend. 2 adult 2 children....confirmed

8. Moodyblue 2 adult 2 children...confirmed

9. Petayv8 and Wife......confirmed.

10. Ted55...+1....confirmed.

11. Pete shawn....confirmed via facebook.

12, Janis marcinkevicks.(facebook site).....provisionally.

13. Kelly (facebook site)...provisionally

14, Ally and kids....provisionally

15. Daz-is200 and father...confirmed via pm.

16. Christoo....confirmed.

17. Angel123....provisionally

18. Kevin-is200...confirmed.

19.. Sparky999 and wife....confirmed

20, Sherbetmelon....

Rodt (1996 LS400) day trip

LPG has been mentioned but as my commuter mileage is shared between the LS400 and an Alfa Romeo GTV and weekend fun is courtesy of Daisy, my yellow Triumph Toledo, my total fuel cost does not warrant the expense.

Yes, tank capacity on LS 400s is 85.1 litres. I have kept very accurate records over 5,500 miles and my average fuel consumption is 26.96 MPG.

I refuel as soon as practicable after the warning light comes on and I usually have to add between 65 to 70 to refill the tank to the brim. If we take 70 litres to refill the tank then the fuel remaining in the tank was 15.1 litres which at 4.546 litres/gallon equals 3.32 galons. At 27 MPG this means that you should be able to drive an additional 89.68 miles, so yes, you could have easily driven for 50 additional miles without refuelling.

What surprises me, though is that you state that this is the first time you have done better than 25 MPG. I assume you must be doing a lot of urban driving. Would I be correct?

Most of my driving is commuting. Originally just 4 miles each way to work so obviously never really got up to temperature. Now I do 23 miles each way, of which 15 is dual carriageway and M25, 7 urban and 1 country lane. My training - courtesy of HM Government - is to 'make progress' so I could probably do better if I were a little lighter on the gas. And that kickdown is just addictive....

Finally achieved 400 miles on a full tank. very worried that the fuel warning light had been on for some time when I finally drove onto the forecourt.

very surprised that I could only squeeze 73 litres in but pleased as that's the first time I've done better than 25mpg. I thought the fuel tank was 85 litres (1996 LS400)?

Does this mean that I could have done another 50 miles before filling up or am I missing something?

Doesn't do it on my 1996 LS400. I feel quite left out now.....

actually stopping it from happening is a little more involved though as you have to strip down the instrument cluster and clean it.

That sounds like no fun at all.........