runsgrateasanut

I was very concerned recently about my front suspension and parts because of a Thread with a broken ball joint, and the experience of a squeek when going very slowly over speed humps to the local tip. As had a French trip planned I paid £56 to the local MOT Garage to check our the ball joint, UCA's and suspension etc. They said everything was in order and could be a loose heat shield over a Catalytic converter. Trip wnet fine, and I have a feeling that it was actually just my rubber shoe soles squeeking on the accelerator pedal each time I went over the humps. Give it some thought. Quiet engine and no Radio on??

I'm losing the plot - thinking the side lights are the indicators - must have had a flashback to my S class and the fact that I replaced side indicators which looked like the side lights. Doh! bit worrying! and I don't joke about dementia! up to £810 now, so some interest.

Did you just top up the lost fluid as needed until it seemed not to go below the level? Or did you siphon the existing fluid from the Reservoir and top up to mix with existing fluid elsewhere in the system?

Just bought from a yard sale an unopened bottle of "Stop it" power steering stop leak and conditioner for £1 Shall I contaminate the fluid next time it needs a dripple of top up? Hmmm not sure but interesting to read above comments and anyone else's experience. Worst experience can be replacement pump needed if doesn't work.

Confirmed - its worth more than £100. It been tinkered with at some stage as those clear indicators are not original to 1993. ps an E220 is not a V8 !! you are missing a treat.

I bought a second hand Mk 2 CD/Radio thinking I could find out why the Tape Deck in the Car is not working. Taking the front off the unit is difficult as it has a very fine Ribbon connected and its not the push in sort you find on a modern Computer. Can't easily fold the facia back to see how joined and have hands free. A phillips screw (may?) be all that is holding it. This said it still looks impregnable as the heavy duty back plate has parts screwed to it. and all other sides look spot welded. An admission I've been a fool not realising why the Tapes were not being drawn in. i hadn't pushed the Volume button to "on" doh! Never needed to in other Cars. Anyway, it sucked in a tape and briefly said "tape" on the screen but then went to CD playing despite my pressing the Tape button. So, something not working . Could there be a rubber drive belt in these units or is everything driven by cogs? May try this replacement unit but as it came out of a wrecked Mk 2 on ebay it could have water damage inside. I can destroy it without worrying too much so may be the way to go to better understand how the thing operates. Prefer to hear from someone who knows?

I believe its possible to make a shield for the Alternator to stop a P/S pump from leaking onto it? Must take a look as I do have a very slow leak and its not just the "o" ring below the canister which I've changed. Too lazy to do a complete rebuild of the pump so happy just to top up, but......that alternator I don't want going down.

where's Rupert?

Well spotted. As one who paid £600 to Lexus for the parts I can't recall seeing a UK seller at the time or maybe I just went with the common notion it was best to buy from Lexus.

I'm certainly not in agreement its worth One Hundred Pounds. To an enthusiast who is "hands on" this is a good prospect. You could put it on ebay and see what you get. Mind you, you may likely get time wasters. When I mentioned starting the engine after various things I forgot to mention that after overnight oil in the pots, turn it over without the plugs in for half a minute.to circulate the oil. I very much doubt that the Lady would have put it away in the Garage fuel on "empty". A dry Garage, a gallon in it and a sound battery and suspect it would start. I hope its rescued as the styling of the Mk 2 was errrrrm slightly nicer than the mk3, dare I say? Beauty etc... .

I've bought several parts from America and I may have to look back at some bills. Checking out the price of the Cam belt parts at Dllrs 174.42 add Dllrs 27.94 shipping to UK totals Dllrs 202.36 add 5% import duty Dllrs takes you to Dllrs 212.47 converted to sterling by Oanda.com = £163.57 add 20% VAT on import makes £196.28 and maybe another £10 delivery UK side and you get £206.28 which is way below UK price. Let me know where my calculations are incorrect., Frankly, to let the car go for scrap is a great shame. Worth even considering an AA inspection or advice?.. Not quite so easy (being a V8) to put a little oil in the pots overnight and hooking up your own battery before an attempt to start the engine after checking the Water level. A gallon of petrol in the tank on top of the old won't do any harm. It will likely start But you should get more advice on this first.

MOT inspections never seem to differentiate between oil and PSFluid. They can't see the source so always say "oil". How common is an oil leak on one of these cars I've only seen one thread where it wasn't determined, if I remember. But maybe there are others?

Dennis I think that's a bit too negative. Parts are available imported from America at a reasonable cost and sometimes below cost. I doubt the Y pipe is an issue or it would have been menioned in the MOT. Mine weas fixed for £200 with replacement Y pipe. Cambelt essential change and once again although I paid £600 just for parts from Lexus (all parts plus Water pump) look on Am. e bay and you can find the set for much less and you get a gasket. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-90-94-4-0-Lexus-LS400-SC400-Timing-Belt-Kit-Water-Pump-/360321698203?hash=item53e4d8c99b:m:mj-PSGeoPhoJGT9Prr3PQig&vxp=mtr The power steering leak and alternator and starter motor are the concerns and yes the Tyres will need replacing, most probably. Its all do-able and you may have a very nice classic Car which will give years of pleasure and comfort to a new owner.

A nice Car for someone. A new Battery and possibly the dreaded Power Steering leak to deal with initially. I stored an MR2 for six years and although it started with fresh petrol, the brakes needed some expense so hopefully the handrake has been left "off" . I did within a short space of time decide my bum couldn't take the firmer low ride any more so advertised and sold it as a car without fault, only to discover that the head gasket had gone when the purchaser arrived. Not saying leaving a car for so long was the cause but did make me wonder as all fluids were left in the Engine.

Not lucky enough to get a four week break or just too stupid to give up the day job, though beyond pension age. Something I may not live to regret! Its no problem just two old codgers but the LS400 is a small car in comparison to the older Mercedes. In a W126 LWB we had five adults, their luggage (bagged not cased) a two foot tall plastic Toilet (for a caravan yet to put on a plot of land) a Guitar and Amplifier for Xmas week spent in a cottage in Poitou Charente in 2006 travelling at max speeds most of the time, with no effort. Loved that 5 litre car with its capacious boot. Younger travellers no doubt need more clothes etc (or think they do) for a longer break, and with really young children its a non starter to have a spare tyre. This I understand. 600 mile is my limit on a one day drive but to cover some of the mileage you guys do I take my Hat off to you in envy.

No, I wouldn't fit it but the breakdown people could, in an emergency situation reported under the policy. The LS doesn't have near the boot space of the old S class (imo) but we travel light as only two of us and never pack suitcases but plastic clothes bags, and of course the back seat can carry a fair amount of stuff on it. Invariably find we've taken far more clothes than we ever use.

Got a Toroidal tank for the Lexus plus other parts but not converted. If I do, I'll take a spare new tyre with me rather than the added weight of a wheel and tyre.. Provides extra space within for the junk we take across the Channel I do have breakdown cover so they can fit the tyre if necessary. Maxxis a good tyre imo.

Thats bad news. In the six years I used to go to france in the S class with LPG I always took the spare wheel, and of course, never needed it. Did you put in the Tyre inflate product or just pumped it up? Not too clear. Would not a 225 - 55 - r16 have done the job? Was there no altenative recommended by the Kwik fit people? 225 -65 - r16. I've no knowledge on the subject of tyres but to get you out of a fix and on board the Ferry and then find a Tyre place in France, perhaps?

I find my old Credit Cards do this sort of job probably just as well. Can be cut into any shape you need and any size strip. Well done for perseverance.

I should have known not to buy my car as it was missing its pen torch!

This site really should change its system to a secure log in - The Ransomware issue is a salient reminder?

No data to show if my belt had been changed previously but changed at around £115k and mechanic said Water pump beginning to weep. Now this is another reason for perhaps changing the belt, even though the one taken off I could see still looked in excellent health. Water pump lifetime expectancy? Consequences of just topping up that unexplained missing water? ps Wasn't that Amethyst Grey Car on ebay a year or so ago with 65 photo's? Failed to meet reserve and withdrawn at under 2k - Ipswich seller at that time?

Very occasionally, my alarm goes off when the Car is locked and I undo the Boot with a the key - not sure why?

As a fan of "ooh er missus wood kits" I do attempt to keep the parts from fading whenever possible. The box of a B&Q Base Unit I find cuts up nicely to the size of the windscreen and goes in whenever the car is parked up for a long time in the Sun. Beats those stupid tiny sunscreen things that I can only find online. So far the colour hasn't faded and I'm happy with the look. The kit didn't have parts to replace existing wood trim which I wouldn't have used. Pointless, unless I suppose a pattern change was the idea. Doubt inhaling any spray stuff is a good idea. Amazed at how some people on vutube spray brake and Carb cleaner with no mask or gloves. Good luck to their lungs! Not to mention brains but then the damage is clearly done!

The blue one does look nice. Not sure about the cambelt situation. Six years since replaced though very low mileage added since. Would that bother me? yes probably. Every five years or mileage if mine reaches that stage with me.. The Car with LPG it always bothers me when I see a Petrol guage with a level below empty. OK its got Gas but you need to leave a bit onf petrol in the tank and I'd say not less than a quarter full to be on the safe side not to drag in muck or if the gas plays up - which it shouldn't of course. If it was the blue Car with the LPG I might have been tempted as not so far away from me. Probably a good thing. Why do I need another?? Its an age thing I find that I often buy a second of something, be it tools, clothes or whatever. Daft b**gger