I finally have a steady stream of parts coming so I figured it was time to start the thread for anyone interested.
I have a 2000 LX470 with 300k+ on the clock. I’ve had it for a few months and came up with a list of wants and needs based on what I’ve noticed during the 200 miles I’ve put on it so far as well everyone’s input on here.
I bought it cheap as it was suspected to have a blown head gasket and had been sitting for a year. It had been religiously serviced at Lexus it’s entire life until that point with 2 PO, the last having owned it for 12 years. It’s a Midwest vehicle without a speck of rust that has likely never left pavement.
It is currently a backup vehicle, so progress may be slow at times as it isn’t a very urgent refresh/rebuild. That said, my goal is to transform it into a reliable daily so I can sell my JKU and get a C7 after their prices fall thanks to the C8!
Here’s the plans:
- Combustion gas test was negative, head gaskets are fine. Further investigation revealed a pinhole leak in the radiator. Bought TYC radiator, factory hoses, Tees and red factory fluid. Going to flush it well first as it currently has aftermarket green coolant.
- Timing belt and water pump were done 45k ago. I Only travel 7500mi a year or less so I will wait on this one. I am going to replace the serp belt however and will check pulleys at that time.
- AHC pressure readings are off according to tech stream and the fluid levels are only 4-5 ticks under the hood. The front end will fall from normal to low and raise back up periodically while driving and the ride is a bit bouncy. Fluid appears clean so I suspect original accumulators are failing. I may just crank the TBs and see if ride quality improves for now. Otherwise, I will likely keep the AHC system and just buy new accumulators.
- Steering column is loose. Bought new bushings and bolts thanks for a thread I found on here, hopefully it will be an easy fix. I have disabled the start up tilt through tech stream to preserve what life the motors have left as well.
- Lost all electrics twice while driving, engine didn’t stall or die, just noticed the power surged causing the dash lights, radio, and headlights to go off and back on. Lasted less than a second. Found the positive battery terminal was a little loose. Also thoroughly cleaned all links and most connectors under the hood as they were dusty. Keeping an eye on this and hoping it’s not some electrical gremlin.
- Blue smoke on startup. PCV valve grommet was missing so the valve was not even in the hole and the PCV valve hose was cracked. Removal of spark plugs revealed a spark plug tunnel seal was leaking. Ordered a PCV valve, hose, grommet, valve gaskets and spark plug seals, 8 plugs, and 2 coils as back ups.
- Side steps and chrome factory wheels/tires HAVE to go. I like the factory 18” wheels however so I will try to source an affordable set of those with some mild ATs as I don’t plan on lifting it as of now.
- Exterior paint on both bumpers is flaking off and there are scratches and dents on the body. Ordered paint for the cladding and will try my best at a paint correction for the scratches.
- Interior carpet is stained, interior front seat bottoms are ripped, interior console latch is broken.
Ordered a used latch from a Camry, cheap seat covers for now, carpet stain remover, and floor mats. I am much less concerned about this area for now.
- Clunking from P to D or R and occasionally on take off. Ordered grease and will regrease all zerks in hopes that will cure it as opposed to needing new joints.
- Oil change, also sending oil off to the lab to have it examined for extra peace of mind. I have priced a replacement engine, but hopefully this one has plenty of life left.
- Trans fluid flush. It looks clean, but can’t find records on the last refresh. Will also do the diff fluids at that time.
- Front brake chatter. I bought new pads and rotors, but didn't realize how much of a PITA it was on the 100 series, so I am going to get a few hub parts and do it all at once anticipating that they’ll need to be refreshed as well.
I anticipate the project taking until the end of Summer or early Fall. Parts have taken a long time to arrive thanks to the Pandemic with some not scheduled to arrive until May-June. Our weather is also pretty temperamental around here so I won’t be working when it’s 110+ and humid out. I really look forward to getting this all done however and I am VERY thankful for this forum. I am good at searching before asking, but I am sure I will still need help now and again.
- Jay
I have a 2000 LX470 with 300k+ on the clock. I’ve had it for a few months and came up with a list of wants and needs based on what I’ve noticed during the 200 miles I’ve put on it so far as well everyone’s input on here.
I bought it cheap as it was suspected to have a blown head gasket and had been sitting for a year. It had been religiously serviced at Lexus it’s entire life until that point with 2 PO, the last having owned it for 12 years. It’s a Midwest vehicle without a speck of rust that has likely never left pavement.
It is currently a backup vehicle, so progress may be slow at times as it isn’t a very urgent refresh/rebuild. That said, my goal is to transform it into a reliable daily so I can sell my JKU and get a C7 after their prices fall thanks to the C8!
Here’s the plans:
- Combustion gas test was negative, head gaskets are fine. Further investigation revealed a pinhole leak in the radiator. Bought TYC radiator, factory hoses, Tees and red factory fluid. Going to flush it well first as it currently has aftermarket green coolant.
- Timing belt and water pump were done 45k ago. I Only travel 7500mi a year or less so I will wait on this one. I am going to replace the serp belt however and will check pulleys at that time.
- AHC pressure readings are off according to tech stream and the fluid levels are only 4-5 ticks under the hood. The front end will fall from normal to low and raise back up periodically while driving and the ride is a bit bouncy. Fluid appears clean so I suspect original accumulators are failing. I may just crank the TBs and see if ride quality improves for now. Otherwise, I will likely keep the AHC system and just buy new accumulators.
- Steering column is loose. Bought new bushings and bolts thanks for a thread I found on here, hopefully it will be an easy fix. I have disabled the start up tilt through tech stream to preserve what life the motors have left as well.
- Lost all electrics twice while driving, engine didn’t stall or die, just noticed the power surged causing the dash lights, radio, and headlights to go off and back on. Lasted less than a second. Found the positive battery terminal was a little loose. Also thoroughly cleaned all links and most connectors under the hood as they were dusty. Keeping an eye on this and hoping it’s not some electrical gremlin.
- Blue smoke on startup. PCV valve grommet was missing so the valve was not even in the hole and the PCV valve hose was cracked. Removal of spark plugs revealed a spark plug tunnel seal was leaking. Ordered a PCV valve, hose, grommet, valve gaskets and spark plug seals, 8 plugs, and 2 coils as back ups.
- Side steps and chrome factory wheels/tires HAVE to go. I like the factory 18” wheels however so I will try to source an affordable set of those with some mild ATs as I don’t plan on lifting it as of now.
- Exterior paint on both bumpers is flaking off and there are scratches and dents on the body. Ordered paint for the cladding and will try my best at a paint correction for the scratches.
- Interior carpet is stained, interior front seat bottoms are ripped, interior console latch is broken.
Ordered a used latch from a Camry, cheap seat covers for now, carpet stain remover, and floor mats. I am much less concerned about this area for now.
- Clunking from P to D or R and occasionally on take off. Ordered grease and will regrease all zerks in hopes that will cure it as opposed to needing new joints.
- Oil change, also sending oil off to the lab to have it examined for extra peace of mind. I have priced a replacement engine, but hopefully this one has plenty of life left.
- Trans fluid flush. It looks clean, but can’t find records on the last refresh. Will also do the diff fluids at that time.
- Front brake chatter. I bought new pads and rotors, but didn't realize how much of a PITA it was on the 100 series, so I am going to get a few hub parts and do it all at once anticipating that they’ll need to be refreshed as well.
I anticipate the project taking until the end of Summer or early Fall. Parts have taken a long time to arrive thanks to the Pandemic with some not scheduled to arrive until May-June. Our weather is also pretty temperamental around here so I won’t be working when it’s 110+ and humid out. I really look forward to getting this all done however and I am VERY thankful for this forum. I am good at searching before asking, but I am sure I will still need help now and again.
- Jay
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