runsgrateasanut

Here Here! and despite it being a might expensive at times (wo is me) there is a certain exclusivity about the product as there seems to be so few (?) around. Its rather like the days of my youth when if dear old Patar saw an oncoming AA man on a Motorcycle he would get a salute as we had the "Badge" on our Car - and we kids would wave back. Only once was I able to wave on "le continent" to a blue Lexus LS400 passing through Chabanais - difficult corner so not reciprocated but, nevertheless... and the only one I've seen in my several trips.

Quite so, but lets asume Steve was not in the process of actually removing the ECU at the time of taking the photo's. Thing is, a vanity light is only on for the briefest of time and so wheres the heat that could cause this? Even if the bulb was somehow left up in the footwell panel (easily done) it's only on for a very brief time (minute or until engine started?) unless the door is left open for a longer period. Steve - you on holiday Sir? Help us out on this? Explanation svp

the connector above the light - the wires (white especially) looks quite scorched.

As I had to take off the Air box to get to the Spark plug cover to replcce missing Bolts, and a rubber strip my wife spotted under the Car - (my fault and not the mechanics) I thought I'd examine the MAF. I have no issue with the running other than perhaps a higher than normal idle, perhaps a bit rich, and a smell of petrol when starting the Car. Possibly replacing the Caps as you experienced Rupert may solve these matters. I didn't touch the MAF part but did clean the flat surface on the main runway and also the slight "Well" into which it almost sits. No significant dirt but to ensure the vortex flow is as good as possible. Took for 22 mile run this evening and seems OK..

Reviving an old topic. Having removed my MAF I was expecting to be able to clean it but it doesn't look quite how I expected. No thin wire. Just cribbed this part of a thread on the US forum which suggests it can't be cleaned. In which case back it goes. Quote " I went to my Lexus dealer today to asked them to clean my MAF. I was told that MY CAR doesn't HAVE an MAF. It has - instead - a Karman Vortex Airflow Meter. [i think that's what they said] NEVER EVER have I heard ANYONE here at LOC mention that the 1st generation LS doesn't have an MAF. Why didn't any of you say something?! Or am I confused? Apparently the Karman Vortex thing can NOT be cleaned" Unquote. Interesting. - any views on this?

Ps Sorry I should have checked and pointd out attributable to Steve - great job. On further thought was this the result of that little footwell bulb?

I was looking at this very old but useful removal thread and been given great help as to replacing my Caps, when I spotted something that must have worried the author, at the time. Just below the Wiring harness for the ECU is a connector with what looks like some very unhealthy wiring. Anyone know what this wiring connects to out of curiosity? http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/tutorials/article/214-1990-1994-engine-ecu-access/

Doc Martin has one!

Must happen a lot and very sad to hear the story. Makes you think about getting one of those Cameras in the Windscreen. Do they work when the car i stationary? Can they be programmed to work?

What were the advisories last MOT? Also you can check all previous advisories on DVLA to see what may or may not have been dealt with in the past. Early LS's exhausts may have been S/S but not the flanges which rot out and cause leaks.. Also if you put a magnet to the pipe or the Cat you'll find little nickle left after a lot of years, so rot is happening all the time. Sounds like you've found a gem which will give you yrars of pleasure. They are lovely Cars to drive, if expensive to maintain.

Are you tempted? ps no litter bins? - thought this was purely a Sea side phenomenon! We get scuzzers here daily.

Might try a bit of gold tape on my lights - should go well with "beige", ermmm sorry that should be "Saharan Sand" Colour. Easily removed thats the upside, and at £3.50 its a no brainer - definately is me! hahaha (must find those emoticons to save typing) afterread - did I really spell prone - prown!

Strange, I saw three bids to about £160. Unsure how you judged the condition as there is little neg info and the seller says in good condition - one owner car 85k on clock. ? Very poor photo's. did you go and see it?

Yes they are prown to erosion and my own was outside on the sea front so to be expected.- BUT the S500 V8 engine is a wonderful piece of engineering and the soft closure doors and rear sunscreen are sometihng I definately miss. Did Lexus add these things in later year Cars or on the LS430?

Many thanks again for useful tips. I'll be copying and pasting them for future reference. I hadn't quite finished the job when I wrote my last post. Started the car and was hearing a strange whispering noise and checked under the bonnet and clearly the cup of water would have been spilling over. Stripped back and found no 1 cylinder cable was in two parts. (At least I hadn't wrongly wired them) Being the shortest cable really puzzling.The oil cap side was difficult getting the cover back on. Why they had to place one of the coils down the side of the engine heaven knows, but it made trying to ensure that the coil cable did not get snagged extremely difficult. Clearly No 1. cable must have got snagged and I snapped it. It couldn't have touched the Cam Cog I feel sure. Started the car and only a slight ripple on the water and I think less exhaust visible even at cold.Great news on emissions hopefully. It will get a run shortly and see how it performs. BTW the ECT sensor - is this also known as the IACV idle control valve? I've seen it mentioned as being in the spot behind the coil pack?

OK I have to admit that sometimes I look at a car and I get a bit bored with some part of it. With the Merc I had it for six years and I did look at rear cluster clear indicators on later models but was reluctant to pay £80 for something from Taiwan as the rust all around the car made the expense seem pointless and could be better spent. So, having dug out some 60's go-faster tape that had been sitting in a drawer, I thought I'd try to give the cluster a bit more definition, a bit of pizzaz. Initially I used silver tape which was OK and should have stopped there, but then I tried white. Mock me if you will, ( I can take it - I think!) but it did give the cluster a bit of a boost imo.

Wow what a feeling - dancing on the ceiling! Must put that glass of wine down! You can buy cheap Sensors at Rock auto I believe.

personally I'm not a fan of LED's. Can't stand looking at the front of an Audi. Stupid looking daytime lights.imo. Have you got yourself some of those Door lights that show the Lexus emblem on the gound? I do have clear indicators but think thats about as far as I'll go with "modernising" the car. Good luck to those who like to update - some of the extreme things they do to cars look and sound great. Love the 19 inch wheels but I like the barge to have an armchair ride rather than a bone shaker ride. My spines seen enough discomfort - twenty four years travelling on British Rail.

It is recommended that you cool the interior as much as possible pre turning on the Air con. Drive with windows down? My strange experience is that up until yesterday I think my car seemed to start from cold at about 1100 and drop down to 650 when hot. I always notice the increase in revs when A/C switched on and so got into the habit of turning it off when approaching lights /crossings or even in a 30mph zone. Replaced plugs and cables yesterday (all did not go smoothly) and today after a two mile trip started in the drive half an hour later was idling at 850 and when A/C turned on, it WENT DOWN TO 800. Bizarre Perhaps the ECU is still calibrating changes, so will check after a good run. Seemed to be less exhaust smoke and cup on engine top only a very minor ripple BTW.

see he's pulled the Car from the sale. Perhaps he read this thread or recognised that he'd have to leave the plate on as bids had already been made - or perhaps some enterprising individual (no please not Lexus chap) steamed up to his place and thrust a wad of notes into his hand knowing he could make a killing.

If it only last a month it will probably suffice for the expectation of Summer weather - I found this to be the case with my S320 one year.

Gentlemen you are kidding? - MG car club members would die for the plate if it came cheap. I think I am right that it could be transferred once purchased? or am I wrong on this point? I owned a Riley Linx and the four number and two letter plate was worth 5k. JB - Jim Bean, James Bond, etc.

If this seller doesn't make clear that the number plate is not part of the Sale then this car could fetch a LOT of money. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-LS400-/261948638617?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cfd5b0599

Many thanks for the interesting info Rupert and others. I transferred the curly bindings. The Lead set were slightly longer than originals (Prospark - better than too short!) which leaves you with a dilemma where to stuff the excess and hope the Covers will go on without a problem and not rub. Took a while to fit the Filler side and discovered in addition to several missing screws, that the upper rubber strip was missing from the panel. Transferred the lower from throttle side as ingress of oil and water possibly on that side due to this. . Hate it when parts have gone astray. Screws on order, rubber? that will have to wait. Postponed carb cleaning until tomorrow. Purchased gasket looks on small side (via Rock Auto who I have used for some years.) May be OK - hope so. Unfortunately, the Cleaned and spray painted throttle spare I have, turns out to be for a Mk 111 and is not the same. Vacuum pipe goes into the side, near the bolts. Not on mine. Is messing with the cruise control wire and other parts likely to create problems? I prefer to take TB off to clean. Ps I have a small solder station and the Caps courtesy of a senior member. Will check the ECT and also perhaps the MAF sensor after the TB clean. Fingers crossed that the spagetti of cables was put on correctly. I will know tomorrow.

Thanks Rupert I'll have to check where the ECT sensor is placed. I have a set of Capacitors but not too keen to do this job. Re-looking at the vutube on spark plugs, I see that my readings were virtually spot on to original leads when new. These leads have a part binding round them which my new ones don't. Originals? wanted to put in plugs for possible LPG so not a waste of time and money. Thats an interesting link Plexus may be worth a try. Reminded me of this link to Eric the Car Guy (alias George Clooney) ! I checked my butterfly valve and its pretty clogged so will take off Throttle body and clean. New Air filter post MOT and using injector cleaner.