Redefined

Ooh, nice1 Razor. That'll be the one then. I'll order em all (or a couple). @Malc1 yes I do agree with it being economical indeed but I suppose I'm comparing to the last 5 years of Subaru Legacy ownership and before that a Honda 2.4 Accord with 2 Nissan Primera GT LE for the 12 years or so before that. Ooh, and a Toyota Carina E (2 I think) which was my foes tproepr car after the Citroën AX I had after passing my driving test. So I'm playing to a pretty high bar of reliability. None of them were 8 cylinder 4.2L though. Oh dear, if only someone was listening in (from, 'the other') and hearing us talking about a 4L car being economical. They'll never 'get it'.

Thanks @Spacewagon52 yes, I've already had that radiator upgrade done where the oil warmer is now separate and doesn't go through the rad. Had/asked Lex-Tec to comment on the radiator condition when I last went down (front suspension arm rear bushes). He said it was fine. But, even when it does go it won't take the whole gearbox with it. Just been looking around and prices for the pulleys are really expensive (and maybe won't even have the original/genuine NTN bearings pressed in unless I go for original equipment). So looks like bearing replacement (with NTN or similar bearings) will be the most economical/robust option.

Just thinking out loud.... Coming to think of it, might be an idea to remove a pulley and take a look at the bearing. Order one or 2 of the same and the serpentine belt. Swap em out and hopefully job done 🤗 Trying to run a v80 LS on a Nissan Primera budget. Some would class this as a social experiment.

Hi all. I'm getting that slight smell of when a bearing is about to sieze. I've a good guess its from the aux belt tensioner bearings. But money is a bit tight and I'd like to try and work through and hopefully find the exact one that's seizing up. Anyone got any experience of which bearings end up going first as I'll start there. Can't afford to take it to the mechanics just now either and I have all the tools (usually a straightforward job of swapping pulleys/bearings around the aux belt) and the serpentine belt needs replacing anyway. Any input greatly appreciated, ta... It's a model year 2000 LS430.

Thanks @Boomer54 indeed it is. Still remains a month later, just as sharp. It's something that I'd always walk back from the masjid to and see the dullness of them lights. Now though, it's super sharp and crisp looking. Kept looking at em the first few days but I reckon the novelties worn off now 😅

Sorry, forgot to update this. I had them done and the results are ace. Clear cote was applied by the restorer and price was £45 for both outside my door (he came about 10 miles). Looked like he really loves his job and told me the reason for the cheaper price was cos he wasn't using the coat that could last 3 or 5 years. One, to save costs to the consumer and secondly in case he applies the coat and it doesn't last the expected 4 years. It's by 3m and comes as 2 wipes. Not done it yet, but plan to. The chap had such good peoples skills and seemed to love his job so much I'll be using him again when needed (hopefully for another car). Took over an hour!

Thanks Steve for this. Mine is also a bit rusty near the rear number plate. So you reckon I could get it draining better and save myself a load of hassle later down the line. Any suggestions on a rust inhibitor that won't then need colour matching/painting over. Great thread btw @hockeyedwards

Hi Barry. I remember watching the vid from Car Care Nut about 'all things Toyota/Lexus brake/brake fluid'. I don't have a hybrid myself but I remember him mentioning 'do not open the doors (or maybe just drivers side door)'. Sounds like you're already in the know, but if it might be of any help I can dig out that vid for you. He's very thorough in most things Lexus/Toyota.

Ditto to what Lex said. Also keen to see what/how it needs welding as Malc mentioned. Hopefully it's something or nothing (sorry, the quote I forget, but you know what I mean 😊).

@BigBoomer So better off just going with 17 x 7j for which spacers wouldn't be needed? Them wheels (the SC430 came without centre caps anyway and the bolts for the centre caps are seized in - so giving em a miss). @lex - eleven you're wheels look rather nice. Yes, something like that which isn't too loud but also ever so slightly different from our originals. Miney being the main factor though as I may eventually sell the originals at a slight loss too.

I agree. That is truly atrocious. Isn't it under warranty and didn't they themselves feel that this was/is premature wear! Rediculous TBH but having always tried to byt quality items (in other avenues including cars) I can confirm that the qaulity of most things has gone downhill. Still... Wouldn't have expected it from 'we are quality' Lexus. Shocking (sorry).

Thanks Lex. But can't really affoed to be without a car whilst they get refurbed. Plus the place I will be using is a nice chap with high standards in York. So would be a bit of a job getting em there and back. Lastly, i find the LS430 wheels rather boring so trying to add a slight bit of spice! 😆

Hi all. My wheels really need a refurb as they are curbed all over. Add to that the fact that my 8 year old once took a kitchen scourer to one of em. Money is limited but I've been offered some SC430 wheels which need a serious refurb. Size difference is 17 inch x 7.5 profile (width in inches). But the Sc430 are 18 inch by 8... so half an inch wider. Would they fit, is my question if anyone knows... Pls, thanks.

Car looks lovely. Welcome to the forum Chris.

Front bumper on the wifes 1st car put back in place. The headlight wasn't breathing too well and had condensate inside. Took it out and noted one of the plugs for one of the the air vents was missing (it appears to allow water/humidity out but not let mist in). But, more importantly, a whole tub of 20L 5w30 arrived from an authorised Mannol (German made I believe) arrived. That's her car speted for life and another 3 oil changes for mine. £41 with lots of ebay discounts 😊

I've already taken your tip for the rwar number plate. I too have a touch of rust there and always wondered how I'd get it done. With the aftermarket stereo though, just be aware that they do go bad after so long, so obviously look after your original for if that time comes. Wheels... I really want a wheel upgrade. But don't like to advertise the fact that I find the standard LS430 wheels rather dull and boring. Had my lenses refurbed a few weeks ago and they look mint - but I need to get some 3m clearcote on em. Regards the HD lights @Dezi that's a rather cool thing as I really miss mine from the Subaru. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with yours (and how easy are they to fit). I think mine is misnamed (V8, Suits You Sir) and in the wrong section. I never thought for a second that we have a dedicated 'Lexus Builds' area on this forum... 😆

Nice one for sharing Dezi. I'll be keeping an eye on this development. I'm also charting my progress with the (older) LS430. Yours looks absolutely lovely. Flint Mica, lovely (name and) colour.

NB. You mention about car having 162k and by 168k you're seeing the issues. Also sounds like what I went through as the car was just too good to be true. But there was something about the coolant that I just couldn't put my finger on. Had black bits show up every so often. Could have been a coincidence but I really think the last owner (lovely couple who had all their work done at Sub Main Dealers) had been forewarned of the upcoming failure. Not too worry, it wss a lovely car for me and the 5 or 10 k it lasted me (from maybe 140k to 148k) was a whole heap of fund and comfort 😄

If you have a situation where the history mentioned the oil being bone dry (well, as far as the dipstick could get/translate) then I'd have thought (if the issue is ongoing) then there will currently be water mixed in with the oil. Can you take a look and see if you can check/see. How is your coolant levels? If the pistons/rings were still quite bad then maybe you'll see air in you coolant levels or dropping of coolant levels. I had bubbles in mine. According to Car Care Nut recent video about myths of car maintenance. He mentions the use of 'plugs'.. Stuff like K Seal or WonderWeld (there plenty others on the market now) which essentially plug any holes (if there is any). If you get to the point that a garage suggests this - and hopefully you won't - then don't take it. I also bought myself a boroscope as I had bubbles in the coolant and was losing it at the head gasket I assumed. I used all sorts of 'plugs' like K Seal and the likes. I'd used K Seal successfully previously you see, but this time the leak was too great. I ended up clogging lots of stuff, including probably the radiator core. Was gonna have the engine replaced but thankfully the Subaru engine-replacement specialist spoke to his mates at Subaru MDs. They advised him not to do it. I also spoke to another Indy who was ex Subaru and had done 6 of my car (3L horizontally opposed 6 cylinders) whilst working at Subaru. Again, he advised me not to on my engine as it only goes from bad to worse. Hopefully your situation isn't as bad but from the sounds of it (compression testing, investing in boroscope), you sound just like I was just last year this time!! All the best, and remember keep smiling!! It really could be alot worse... 1st world problems n all that. For me the blessing came in the guise that I finally took the plunge to Lexus with the LS430 and here I am...

Well done them. Always a real boost when you/your mechs get to yhe root of a problem. Hope it keeps going well Martin.

Thanks @johnatg doesn't stop me feeling that for some reason NGK are to spark plugs, what YKK is to zippers. Didn't know Denso is Toyota though. Makes sense why I always see it plastered everywhere (Denso) in various cars and other bits. @MartinH I don't think anyone thinks you're a neglecter at all. Besides, we're all in together 😆 Maybe your car is someone else's next one 😊 and well done having so much of it 'rebuilt' at the MDs. Must've cost a bit 🤗

His latest one here (I think latest or a recent episode). Interesting to see what he does on his own cars during breaking-in. He actually does an oil change at 1000 miles aswell...

Just to add... Anyone thinking of going yhe distance on spark plugs. They must be Iridium and they only one's I would trust are the NGK. For some reason I'm not 100% about Denso. Also, coming back to Denso and NGK. There are alot of knock offs in various stores and that's why when you buy NGK (AFAIR) there is a way of confirming that they're original items made by NGK. Also, if it's gonna play on your head whether it's the right thing to do (putting it off for another 50k) then you'd be better off just getting em done. Not worth the stress on the head thinking about if you made the right decision 😊

@Malc1 I didn't mean to offend... Just my opinion based on what I've seen when getting em out and what those two said (Scotty and CCN). But, I come from a slightly different mode of thinking as I try to just get it righy. Between spending too much (not because I'm tight fisted but because I seldom have spare cash at all) and getting the job right to last a long long time. Not just for myself but also the next owner. Hence one of the reasons I spend alot of effort on the LS430 😉

Not quite @MartinH I started building bikes after my local bike shop allowing me to apprentice there part time (his dyslexia and our friendship, meant my bikes were always put on the back of the pile so eventuallygetting frustrated I asked to work with/for him and he allowed it). Then after so many years of slowly becoming more and more frustrated with the local 'fitters' I eventually started working on my own cars. Sadly, honest expert advice/opinion online is scarce - there's lots of opinions and advice but generally the experts keep that info to themselves and why shouldn't they. After about 5 or 8 years of maintaining my own cars from a servicing and sometimes bearings POV, for Toyota there wasn't much info in YT. Dueing Covid Car Care Nut started his YT sharing his expert knowledge with the world and since then Ive gone from 'thinking I know' to 'knowing' IMHO. Malc, I don't think him (Care Care Nut) or Scotty Kilmer are saying to leave the problem to the next owner and nor do I have thay philosophy. I personally like to sell my items in a condition that's the same or better than how I bought em. For example, the wife has bought the 22 year old Honda Civic as her first car. She doesn't plan on keeping it too long (lots of reasons that fly about in her brain) but I'll be sorting out as much rust as poss, have already ordered the auto gearbox fluid and oil/filter (filter being an original Toyota). I've also figured out why the headlight isn't breathing properly and has condensation in it so that shall be sorted v soon too. Regards the auto fluid, generally the capacity is much larger volume than how much can be flushed and replaced at a time. During my guesswork days - and most people on the forums or YT would condone or suggest this - I'd do a flush, drive it and then another flush or two. Trying to get as much old gearbox fluid out of the box as poss. Since Car Care Nut has come to YT (he's a Toyota Master Technician and learnt his trade startting at a tender age of about 7!!) I've since learnt that the flush is vital in allowing the gearbox to run smoother. If you purge out all the old fluid then the tiny particles that help 'plug' worn areas cannot do their job and can lead to failure... Spending the extra £250 on the plugs certainly wouldn't do much harm, but what Scotty Kilmer and Car Care Nut as suggesting is to spend the time and effort in servicing other vital areas. Like for example (and I learnt this from CCN also) the coolant flush is vital to be done regularly and on time (or more often). It stops worn/dirty coolant from circulating around the engine and seals. Also, he (Car Care Nut) suggests that the 8k miles or longer oil/filter change is too long. He advises to change the oil at least every 5k miles (which is what I now do on the Lexus but was also doing in the Subaru 6 cylinders before this) and its a better investment of your money. Hope that helps 😊