harrylime

I just had my power steering pump replaced and a new alternator fitted by my local independent Porsche specialist. I was, sadly, disappointed in the Lexus Indy I have previously used several times (and recommended on here). I was totally stuck with a faulty alternator and having called my indy several times, being told he was busy and having had promises of a call back on three occasions over several days, heard nothing. I need to withdraw that recommendation. The Porsche specialist had changed the starter contacts on my starter motor around eight years ago when I first bought my LS 400. I had been told it's a horrible job but they weren't fazed at all, so I thought I'd give them a try. They rebuilt the pas pump, fitted the new alternator and bled my brakes , and for a pretty reasonable cost. It'll be a service and timing belt change next. They work primarily on Porsches and Euro cars, they always have at least one 911 in for work, so I was surprised that they are willing to work on mine, because they are incredibly busy and booked up many weeks in advance. It feels good to take the car to such knowledgeable and helpful people and it shows that sometimes, when choosing services etc. it pays to think outside the box a little.

Quite right Malc. I've decided that if I were unfortunate enough to need to claim, I won't mess around with months of battles with an insurance company, like some unfortunates I have heard of. It'll be straight to the insurance ombudsman and then to the small claims court for breach of contract. Touch wood.

Before Covid, I was insured for for 7 years with RH specialist insurance. They then hit me with a significant price hike and I took the car off the road thinking, rightly, that during Covid, the car would almost never get used, particularly since I was spending all my time renovating my house to sell. I also read some poor feedback about RH involving someone who was having to fight hard with a claim. I decided this morning to shop around, to insure it ready for its trip to the (Porsche) specialist tomorrow to have a new alternator fitted and the power steering pump rebuilt. I did an online quote with Footman James and got an email back to say they couldn't provide an online quote and that I should call the sales team. I duly went through the menu system and several transfers to be told that they did not insure the LS 400 as they don't consider it a classic, (no doubt they would have probably insured a poxy mk 3 Escort). I would have thought it would be better customer service to let me know that in their response, rather than having me wasting my time on the phone. The purpose of this post is to advise others firstly not to waste their time with Footman James and secondly, that I had better luck with Adrian Flux, who didn't mess me about, tailored the quote to my circumstances, and provided me with a reasonable quote.

Or pre 1998 LS 400?

Steve, that's a real bugbear when having only a classic car, the need to keep up NCB discount by also running a daily. I think no claims discount only lasts two years. Given that classic cars are usually insured on a limited mileage basis and owners are known to be more careful with their cars in terms of maintenance and use, it seems totally unfair to me. I use RH Specialist insurance for my LS400, and always found them to be pretty good, and competitive

I'm tempted to try and find a Celsior myself. I imagine the underside components have less corrosion than the equivalent Lexus? I also quite fancy wool seats instead of leather, assuming they're not itchy ( I can't wear wool sweaters). I don't understand what the different models are, I see Celsior B, Celsior C etc. advertised, I assume they are different specs in some way?

Many thanks Steve, exactly what I needed to know

I've misplaced my owners manual following a house move and can't find a definitive answer anywhere. I'm having my power steering pump replaced, can anyone recommend a good p/s fluid please and what quantity I would need for a flush and refill|? Has anyone heard of Mannol oil and is it well regarded? I have read so far that Dexron 111 is suitable and that the Ls uses ATF fluid rather than power steering . Apologies for all the questions recently, I have several issues on the go with my LS. I think taking it off the road for the duration of the Covid crisis was a bad decision, they don't like being stood.

The spare battery is a great idea I never even considered. I do have one albeit a lower capacity. The route to my Indy includes a good stretch of "smart" motorway, which makes me a bit twitchy

My front central undertray has cracked, I'm considering trying a plastic welding repair or possibly to pick one up from somewhere. Several LS 400s are being broken on Ebay. Can anyone advise whether the later mark 4 undertrays fit the early cars and vice versa? Do any of you simply run without an undertray?

Has anyone any experience of driving their car without a working alternator? ( I mean alternator still in place but not charging). Assuming a fully charged battery and minimal use of electronics, climate/radio etc. turned off. Any idea how far I would get if I try to deliver it to a garage?

Thanks for the responses so far. This forum is easily the most helpful ( I use a couple of other forums for my other cars). The alternator listed on Rockauto are remanufactured Delco and I looked because I understood they have a good reputation. They are available on Ebay but who kows what they are like? I seriously considered having mine rebuilt and have contacted a local respected company. They don't have the parts listed but would hope to match them up when they can physically strip it down. That option would be a faff though, having to leave the car with my Indy while the rebuild took place, delivering and collecting it, plus they tell me it may not be saveable. The seal kit is £54 from the main dealer, which seems a lot for a handful of O rings. In terms of the work, I've had a look from the top and bottom and don't fancy doing it myself.

I'm after a new/remanufactured alternator and a seal kit for my power steering pump. i have got prices from the main dealer, who also gave me the part number. However, when I input these on Rockauto website I get no results, although I get results when I enter my model and year (99 LS400). Can anyone explain this please? Also, if anyone has ordered form Rockauto how long did the parts take to arrive and how much is added through VAT and duty etc. Is it worth doing?

If the satnav on the LS430 is as out of date as the satnav on the LS400 I wouldn't bother (I'm assuming update CDs are not available)

At limes, I genuinely regret buying my 1999 LS 400. The reason? It has simply spoiled me for other cars. Seriously. I've had it for a few years now, always on a classic car policy, my main car being, for the past 18 months, a newish Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI. The Audi is a really good car, just enough tech, fairly quiet and refined, quick and pretty economical. After much research, it seemed like the perfect car for me. The problem is I just haven't jelled with it. I don't look forward to driving it, I don't go out for a drive for the sake of it. To me, it is just white goods, albeit good quality white goods. I would like to replace my daily with something better, but although I can afford something really nice, nothing appeals to me. I read reviews avidly, looking for a clue, but nothing jumps out. I should add that I haven't yet test driven anything, because I have yet to write a short list, so my early conclusions are based on stats and other people's opinions, not ideal. Everything seems to have features that put me off. There was a time, not that long ago, when there was always a car I "lusted" after but could not afford, having different priorities at the time. It would be putting it too strongly to say it's depressing, because there are worse things to worry about for many people including me, but it is disappointing. I quite fancy an SUV for ease of getting in and out, but want some proper luxury. Ride comfort, refinement and the ability to deal with potholes with aplomb are major factors for me, nice handling also. I've looked at RX450s obviously, but don't like the idea of the CVT gearbox. It seems like an appalling choice for such a refined car and a poor engineering decision. I've considered a newer LS hybrid, but don't want a car that's more suited to being chauffeur driven. I considered an S Class and a 7 series. Large executive saloons seem to be real bargains and top of the range Mercs and BMWs seem to cost little more than more mundane models further down the range, with a lot more comfort (although the chauffeur thing is still a factor). I'm wary of BMWs following a £4000 repair bill to my two year old 33od in 2006,thankfully still in warranty. I hear worrying reports of reliability issues plus , I don't like run flat tyres. My LS 400 has been laid up during Covid, now needing a few little jobs before being put into use again. I plan to sort that over the next few weeks and return it to the road, and take it from there. Maybe spend some time having test drives, if I can put some options together.

The "luxury" car tax is a total ripoff. Firstly, many £40k + cars are pretty mundane and secondly the threshold hasn't moved , despite car prices regularly rising. Ironically, you need a luxury car now to survive our roads without regular access to a back specialist.

An easy mistake to make, diesel engines only having been around for over a hundred years. We really are governed by a successive series of dolts

Just tried this and it took me straight to paypal, for payment, so it's not free

I have alternator problems, as per my previous post, and I think it may have been caused by a power steering leak (my car only has 75000 miles? I can't see any evidence of a leak from above and I'm hoping to be able to get a better look when I get it over my inspection pit in a week or so. My car is a 1999 Mk 4, is this a rare occurrence, as I know it's not uncommon on earlier cars? More importantly, if it's a leak, where is this likely to be coming from? Is it an easy fix and what parts are usually required? I'm considering selling the car due to lack of use and would never sell it with a fault I'm aware of without having it fixed first.

I haven't noticed one Mark, although I haven't had a good look yet, mine is a Mk 4

It just occurred to me that the alternator fault may have been caused by a power steering leak, although I haven't checked yet. I have seen that some owners make a shield to prevent future problems. Has anyone else suffered this problem and if so, does the contamination tend to affect the voltage regulator, the windings or something else? If I put mine in for repair, the windings cannot be fixed apparently, but the voltage regulator and rectifier can.

First of all, is this website displaying differently for everyone else? Anyway, I posted earlier about my battery light staying on. Having had time to test the voltage across the battery, which is 11.8 with the battery running it looks like I need a new alternator. I've contacted a local firm and an estimate to rebuild is around £100. This is if the windings are OK. He wanted to know whether my alternator is 80 amp or 100 amp? I have no way of knowing, having not yet removed it. Is there any way to find out without removing the alternator? I also need to weigh up whether to buy a new one of have the original rebuilt. My car is a 1999 LS 400. Any advice appreciated.

Perhaps I should call her Christine

Quick update, I started the car twice today and the battery light went straight out. The battery is showing around 12.4V , and over 14.5 volts with the engine running. I checked the connections but hardly touched them, none seemed loose. Bit of a mystery. Couldn't see any leakage onto the alternator, am I right in thinking that they changed the location of the alternator for later cars? (mine is a 99)