Stanwithaplan

Well fingers crossed Razor. I truly hope you've got it licked this time. I thought I'd solved my leaky boot with Captain Tollys around the rear window but if anything I've made the problem worse. My water is ingressing from the seams and metal "vents?" Under the back shelf. Now the roof lining over the rear window is wet. So my latest working theory is back to sunroof vents, either being blocked or maybe theres a joint or crack where they presumably run through the rear pillars? I did get Lexus mechanic to blow them through with an air hose on their initial inspection 18 months ago but will rod them this time. Then if needs be I'll have to remove the rear panels and drop the roof lining. I'm not looking forward to that job.

Steve, I am officially jealous. I would love wool seats. The ultimate in comfort and much better for hot weather. I didn't know I needed a flare tube but do feel I'm missing out.

I'm helping my son look for a car he can use for long commutes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and I'm delighted that he's only looking at LS400s. Current contender looks great, getting it mechanically checked out, the only downside is I suspect it has probably been clocked twice, but its not the end of the world. I'll also post photos of another one, which has an interesting interior that i suspect will polarise opinions on this forum.

Gents, exciting news, I do believe I have finally solved my leaky boot problem (I know, I know, the Gods laugh when us mortals make such rash statements). So after all my efforts including, hours of research, deep cleaning, new boot seal, fitting of an improvised drain and copious amounts of siliconing had made no difference whatsoever to the pools of water gathering in my boot and condensation. I had just finished emptying my "water catchers" and drying out the boot once more, when I tried scraping the water off my back window towards the gutter with my hand and because it was such a small amount, I noticed none of it reached the gutter? It all disappeared into the black trim (next to the chrome surround). The water in the stripped out boot, was coming very slowly out from the underside metal seams directly under the window (out towards the sides). So immeadiatelt I purchased some of Captain Tolley's creeping crack cure from Amazon and have done multiple applications on this black plastic strip all around. The result is after much rain and a watering can's contents later, my boot is bone dry and I can see that the water now flows over it into the gutter. I could not be happier and i hope it help those of you suffering from the leaky boot issue. I also fervently hope I have no tempted fate with this post.

Sorry Malc my bad, nobody likes a show off. My first 400 was screenless too.

There have been a number of occasions over the years, that the LS400 has surprised me with a feature I was unaware of, today was another. Forgive me if this is already common knowledge and I'm a dumbass. If you put the climate control onto recirculate, then press and hold auto for a few seconds a menu pops up on the main screen, giving you the ability to change the sensitivity of the air quality detection used to activate the switch from fresh air to recirculate. Well I never knew!

Same situation for me, she's pointing uphill and that helped a lot but didn't cure it totally. I siliconed the new boot seal (again) and also added a little to the top left of my rear window, where the black rubber looks like it may have shrunk a little. I also found, to my horror, that there was water under the back seat, so dried that off and rust treated it. Then I covered her up. Today I took the cover off after 2+ months, the boot had a tiny little pool of water in the wheel well and there was a little condensation on the sunroof ( to be expected) other than that she was dry, but being under a cover, so she should be! So I'm leaving the cover off, lets see what happens. I took her for a 60 mile drive this afternoon, smiling all the way, so smooooth. "Check engine and VSC off" warnings when i started her up to come home. So new problems to solve... keeps me out of trouble I suppose.

I havent noticed any rubbing but its possible. I've got a leaky boot that is resisting all my best efforts to fix it. So I stuck a cover over it, as it's better than a water feature in my boot and under the rear seat. .

Hi. Yep I use a Halfords one for my LS400. Its heavy duty. I use bungees to stop the wind setting the alarm off.

Haha "tin mice" made me laugh. Yep there is no danger if a leaky boot over here, there is little rust but all the rubber mounts etc detriorate in the summer heat. I also had a "GCC" spec condenser and radiator fitted. Most of the car washers over here use a duster and call it a "water less car wash"🤣

I obviously tempted the Gods of Fate with my last comment damn it. Needed to replace my Michelins in DXB there are no projects here at all. Will take a month to get them in. So had to go for Dunlops (as they had bad cracks. Heat gets up to 50° in summer so tyres run really hot). Grip seems good on the Dunlops, ride seems similar but on certain road surfaces there is a noticeable bass boom/rumble). I had alignment done. Maybe this will dissipate as they wear in?

Good spot on the steering wheel. Hmm I like your idea about radar. I had heard later 430s had it. Dont remeber a factory option for this, could it be aftermarket?

Good eyes Sir. I hadn't noticed the missing mirror. That hole though, what is it? I did have a chat with a chap who offered to buy my car a few weeks ago ( not even from my cold dead hands!) and he mods 400s, gets another 50 bhp. Didnt ask how, but probably new CAI, exhaust etc. But now I wonder if it's a small supercharger and could that be a ram air channel?

So my son borrowed The Golden Goddess an used it for a trip to Abu Dhabi. On the way back he found an almost identical car and took a picture. Can you spot the difference and what the heck is it?

Yep, I researched it and used (pink) Dexron III, but sourced it on Amazon, £14 for 4L (not from Lexus)https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FMAAESG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Good to know thanks, I'll definitely go for the Primacy again when I replace my UK 400's tyres.

Talking of Europe I've been watching this Dutch chap restoring an LS400, very interesting. I recommend his channel to you https://www.youtube.com/@ArnoldsRepairs

Widening the geography a great deal, I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time in the Middle East and can happily confirm that the 430s are genuinely everywhere. I also see a large number of 460s daily and depending on which country you are in there are quite a few 400s. In Oman in particular, there are so many 400s and 430s its completely jaw-dropping, I'd estimate at least 1 in 10 ratio! Across a lot of the ME, the locals love them and often they will be kept and used for for long journey's/commutes because they are so comfortable and reliable. Even if you have new cars and large 4x4s there is frequently a 400 or 430 kept alongside them for the longer distance journeys or even run of the mill day to day work. In UAE the 430 is nicknamed the "F16" because its the one that often comes behind you in the fast lane and flashes you really quickly to move over. The 400 is known as "The King of the Road". I often get approached to sell my restored gold 400 (The Golden Goddess) over here because they are much loved.

found this on another forum Matt, hope it helps https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-1st-and-2nd-gen-1990-2000/954110-car-alarm-goes-off-randomly.html

I've not got the answer either, sorry. About 3 years ago, only one of the doors locked on one of my 400s, I got 3 lock motors replaced and a new battery for the key and they've worked ever since. The lock button for my other 400 doesn't work, but if I press the unlock button when I get out, it waits a minute and if no doors are opened it locks them all for me:o) I've attached some advice on reprogramming LS400 keys that I found previously, but I'd not even think about that until you've tried everything else. 1999 Lexus LS400 Remote Programming.docx

Seems neglected and hardly used with the interior looking pretty good from the photos. I'd certainly duck this one if I was in the market again.

..thinking about getting more

I'm in at least two minds about this, its definitely overpriced for the miles which naturally I don't like, but I would like their values to rise, in recognition of the fact that they are becoming 'classics'. Then again my little cup of care is empty about future values as i am never selling either of mine

I've got the same issue and not got the solution yet. My indie spent a long time taking the head unit out and after a couple of wrong choices on bulbs he's soldered in some new ones (it's not a case of unscrewing as it is the other similar bulbs in the car). They still dont work so it may be the actual (LCD?) displays, I dont know? Buying a new head unit with nav for £300 on ebay would be a gamble I'm not willing to take, I'd rather buy a little torch :0)

Mabrook! Congratulations Mr Bean. I'm smiling as I type this because I know exactly how delighted you are feeling right now. Sounds like a very satisfying project to me. I got a really good pair of struts recently, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262798433773