-Rich-

Been a spate of CATs being stolen over the last few weeks in my area, all neighbouring roads. They seem to be Jazz's, CRVs and Lexus but I don't know what models, although some have been the Prius. My brother used to work for Toyota/Lexus and I was talking to him about getting a catloc. He said they still get nicked with them fitted, it happened to customers and colleagues. They even stole several in one go from a dealers forecourt. We hardly use the car now and have too many anyway so I'm seriously considering selling it now.

Couldn't jump start it so had to crawl in to the boot! Got the battery out and it was reading 9v! 😒 Label says 3rd December 2010 so it's done well but then it's not exactly put under a lot of stress. I've got it on charge so will see what happens. I'm concerned there was a lot of condensation around and on the battery, and panels with a tiny amount pooled on the floor. I'm hoping it's not a leak and just where it's not been used for 3 weeks and couldn't dry out.

Well the 12v battery in our CT was dead this morning. It's been 3 weeks since I last used it, I hadn't realised, otherwise I would've started the car up to charge it. Hopefully I can jump start it with the booster when I get home otherwise I'll be crawling in to the boot again to open it! I'm certain it's the original battery so is 10 years old now. This did happen in the first lockdown too but has been fine since a recharge using my ctek. It's probably time to replace it though!

I've been thinking about a catloc as I'm reading more about these being stolen but someone on another forum I use had theirs stolen off a Prius with a catloc fitted. It's the 3rd time they've done it too. So I'm wondering if it would actually make much difference having it fitted. Maybe the Prius one isn't as well designed as the CT version.

I thought this one was the CT catloc? Is that an old version? https://lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-rx/lexus-rx-phase-ii-2004-2008/lexus-rx-2-exterior-interior/lexus-ct-phase-1-catalytic-converter-lock/

Did you take any photos of the carbon build up before cleaning?

Have a read of this thread with some photos I took of mine. That's also reminded me I said I'd do a how to but haven't had time. I've had no issues since cleaning the valve, and if your pipe was bad I'd imagine the valve itself will be worse. https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/110072-egr-problem

Anything that slows them down or deters them completely is better than nothing. But like you say, if they really want it they'll have it!

Most of the crap is around the valve itself and not the pipe. If you unplug the connector and remove the 2 screws on the black plastic cover, does the rod move in and out freely or stick? Do you get any vibrating? I did before I cleaned the EGR valve.

Is the fitting just removing those 4 bolts, sliding the cover on and refitting? Can all 4 be removed at the same time, does it support anything?

Ours just passed the MOT. Was due in June but with the extension I didn't bother rushing to get it done. The car has done 2000 miles in 18 months and there was one advisory for a slightly binding service brake.

Thanks. It seemed it wasn't blocked as I swapped the hose from the passenger side to the drivers and it worked. But I'll definitely try that if it is blocked.

Looks like it's the return valve. Are cheap eBay ones ok or go for Lexus/Toyota at 4 times the price? Also, is the bonnet liner supposed to be foam? If it is, it's not any more. It's so brittle that it was snapping all around the holes and making a right mess!

The passenger one sprays to the top of the window screen but the drivers is a dribble! I've tried using a toothpick to clear and debris in the jet but it's not worked. I can't work out how to remove it so I can see if it's the jet or the hose, any tips? I've got the MOT on Thursday so need to get it sorted.

I've not had the chance to clean the old pipe yet but from the quick check I did it was still solid. For how much longer it would've lasted is anyone's guess.

That looks the same or even a little worse than our 2011 CT. We bought that from a main dealer (so I didn't look underneath!) 4 years a go and until this year it was serviced by Lexus and they didn't mention it once or the rusty fuel pipe. The service videos never really captured the suspension. I also have a 20 year old MX5 and a 17 year old Accord. They are both rusty underneath a bit more than the CT but at that age it's too be expected. For a 9 year old car I wasn't expecting this level of rust. The previous owner lived in Stoke so it wasn't by the sea. I ran out of good weather to sort it this year so it's a job for the spring but I have already bought Bilt Hamber products to protect it with once I've cleaned all of the parts. Their products are very good so have a look at them.

Yeah as said the Ctek wouldn't start if the cables are the wrong way round. I'll try the comfort lead on another car but I can't see what could go wrong with them.

Wow, that one was bad! This is the first filler pipe I've had to replace and considering most of my cars have been a lot older than this I really wasn't expecting it. Yes it would've been nice if Lexus gave me the heads up about it. That's the first and last time I'll be trusting a dealer! I'll check everything myself from now on.

We've had the car for 4 years and prior to that it lived around the Stoke area. It is a Jap motor though, you should see the underneath of my MX5, now that is rusty!! I fitted the new pipe and had to reuse the old metal bracket as it's no longer supplied with the pipe and has to be purchased separately. I didn't know this until it was delivered! I've only filled up once since but no leaks. I also painted the pipe in Bilt Hamber UB to give more protection and did the arches too. Given the new pipe arrived with scratches on it down to the metal I wouldn't be surprised if they're fitted in the factory like that. Scratches on new pipe. Bilt Hamber UB, it's like a wax and quite tacky. Old bracket was a mess! Cleaned it up with Bilt Hamber deox c and painted with hydrate 80. New pipe fitted with new plastic clips and arches cleaned and protected. It was a fairly straight forward job, just a bit awkward getting the pipe in and the new clips on. I haven't cleaned the old pipe up yet but it still feels solid but for how long is anyone's guess! I also reused the breather pipe, cleaned up and painted.

I fitted the Ctek comfort lead to my battery but when connecting the charger something isn't right. It goes very hot and won't charge the battery, it seems to get 'stuck' on stage 3. Take the battery out and charge it indoors with the crocodile clips and it's fine. I've checked the cables are tight, which they are so unless the lead itself is faulty I'm not sure what the issue is. I'll have to try it with another car.

Has anyone fitted these? A bit of a price difference between it and the Lexus one! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283939250162

I have a gen 7 Accord and a CT200h. I would pick the Accord all day long! The Accord will be thirsty though whatever model you get so bear that in mind. The CT is a nice car (it belongs to the missus) but I don't really get on with the seats and can't sit in the rear at all as I get leg cramp. Power wise it's fine when I use it going to work on the local roads but the hybrid drone can get annoying on the motorway. You can get cat locks if you're worried about that. https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-rx/lexus-rx-phase-ii-2004-2008/lexus-rx-2-exterior-interior/lexus-ct-phase-1-catalytic-converter-lock/ As for rust, see my what is this pipe thread. That's what I've experienced on a 9 year old Lexus. My Accord is twice the age and isn't as rusty as the Lexus underneath. One rear arch is rusty but the other side fine, but that's common on the gen 7 I think. On the gen 8 they should be rust free.

I'm pretty sure it's made the car slightly more responsive and hopefully that's not just a placebo effect! No juddering since but it only did that a couple of times. I had the battery out for a couple of months over lockdown which reset the mpg. So I'm not sure if it's made a difference to that yet.

I had an issue last year with the alarm going off randomly at night, sometimes more than once. No sign of anyone around or other cars etc. It actually turned out to be a nocturnal insect that was coming out at night and flying around the inside of the car!! It poked it's head out one day from behind the dash and after exterminating it the alarm stopped going off.

So today I removed the arch liner and all surrounding plastic trims. The first shock was the amount of dry mud and dirt underneath. I spent ages clearing it all out. I'll be doing the other side too! After a wire brush the pipes feel solid still but look pretty bad. Lexus quoted me £200 for the twin pipe but not the 3rd one so I need a price for that too. Two clips are also about £20 so I might leave those and use generic jubilee clips, which is what they are anyway. There is a small undertray that partially covers the fuel tank. I can't get any of the bolts off as they're so rusty so those will need drilling out. I think I'll be getting my garage to change the pipe, I can't be doing with laying on my back trying to pull the hoses off. Especially when they run over the subframe. I'm still shocked at the amount of rust on the car though for 9 years old. I'll be interested to see if anyone else has this kind of rust.