The random misfire (p0300) code is still showing and I will tell you why I think that is so below. Originally, the car would shake at red lights in Drive and was also sputtering at times as it accelerated (especially between 40-60mph). It was bad enough to where I would have to let off the gas pedal and resume slowly to keep going but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't keep up with traffic.
The previous owner said something about a coil pack so after getting a new one and not having much success except better start-up times, I decided to change out the spark plugs. It was at this point that I discovered one of the spark plug wires was ripped. You were literally able to shove it in the boot and it would fire sometimes. That's how the car had been running along with very old spark plugs.
After I changed out the spark plugs and one spark plug wire with a spare I had laying around, the car was driving much nicer but it was still bucking from 40 to 60mph when accelerating. The feeling was similar to hitting the brakes for a second - no firing at all for a cycle.
I don't think it's because one of the spark plug wires is a different brand but if that could be it, please let me know.
Those symptoms sort of pointed in the direction of fuel and hoping it's not the injectors, I changed out the fuel filter and got scared.
Now the car started shaking at every red light in Drive pretty bad. It seems like a cylinder would misfire once every cycle. Maybe the old fuel filter was somehow delivering the fuel in a more stable manner? This is what I was thinking.
What it actually was is at least one of two things. First of all, I didn't drive off all the gas. I let about two gallons leak out. It took forever - don't do it. And if it's possible, I got air in the lines. It's dangerous too! Second, I refilled the car with premium gas that I had put in a gas tank that had a tiny amount of regular gas.
It wasn't for a couple days that I realized this could be the problem. To my surprise, almost magically, the sputtering and subsequent shaking starting getting better over time. It was bad enough just sitting there but if I flipped the AC on, it would really start to shake as the RPMs went up by 200! This was messing with my anxiety.
I should mention I did use 4oz of MMO, a fuel additive - the only one I would ever put in my car. But I don't think that's what did it. I think over time, not only did I drive off the little bit of regular gas (these cars are sensitive!) but possibly air in the fuel lines. I don't know enough to say but it could be. I believe you typically shut off the fuel pump when you do this job and I did not.
At this point, sometimes it still shakes when I turn the AC on which is very annoying but is smooth otherwise. It doesn't buck going through 40 to 60mph as long as I don't have the AC on. That makes me think my fuel pump is bad. It would still make sense considering the random misfire code I'm getting (p0300). If it was the wire, I imagine the code would be one specific cylinder.
In this state, the car is a good daily driver. It always starts up and doesn't give me problems. This is a good thing because I'm in a hectic point in my life where I am also able to save very little money and the timing belt needs to be changed as soon as possible. The belt has some small cracks in it but I'm honestly not worried because the '95 I sold had huge cracks in the belt. This IS my number one thing to do right now. Can't have Lexy 2 blow up on me.
I have very nice plans for it. Sometimes my wife will catch me staring at it longingly. I need the car to be a bit lower. A couple inches. I have mentioned this before but I want to retain the car's functionality so I don't want it super low. I also want to get some small spacers, 15mm. If I can get some nice rims or paint the stock ones a surprise color, the car will look great just there alone.
Further, I need to have the sleepy eye look on it. I have seen it on a few LS400s and it looks amazing to me. A small spoiler will add to the aggressive look along with yellow headlights and clear turn signals.
I already have almost-illegal tints and would love one of those white pieces that go along the top of the windshield. Other small touches will complete this look. I can say one thing - ever seen a tiny spoiler coming off the roof like you see on some hatchbacks? I've never seen one adapted to a sedan so I'm going to see if it's possible. If you don't know what I'm talking about, think Ford Escort Cosworth in Group B! Except much smaller.
This car lived up north for a while so I also need to get rid of a little rust. Thankfully it's not bad - just small spots that aren't very deep from what I have seen so far. The car will also need a paintjob which will probably be done with spray paint! Yep, spray paint. My friend Louis Borbon has a technique that leaves the finished product looking like a pro paintjob. I can't wait until he comes out with the video for it. Expect that along with me possibly painting my car based off his tips and writing a tutorial to complement it as a collaboration.
I'm loving Lexy 2. She has been very reliable so far and hasn't scared me yet. She also drives better than the first one. I'm very happy with the car.
The look of it will always evolve but one thing is very important to me: reliability. I plan on maintaining this thing well for years. Any time I need to change a part out, I'm upgrading if possible. I want this to be a beautiful car that I can always depend on. It's actually already beautiful and dependable now but you guys know what I mean.
I plan on posting updates any time I do a big job on the car or make a lot of progress otherwise. As I learn, I will be posting my own tutorials of course. I'm actually going to install hood pins very soon - maybe this weekend - so I will make a tutorial on that.
I just ordered the spacers so what I want to do after those come in and I have the hood pins on is start painting the car.
The paintjob is over 20 years old so it doesn't look very good. One of the fenders has been painted already. I have to paint the whole car - touchups will never be enough here.
I'm going to start with the bottom section and work my way up as I get a little skill going. I'm leaving the car white but I'm still not sure what color I'm going to use for the bottom. I'm also thinking of painting the rims but it will depend on what color I pick for the lower tone. I love how these cars are two-tone!
Painting the car will take care of the rust on the body, too, although I will still have to get under the vehicle to get those parts later. Just an obvious tip but if your paint is scratched and it's rusting, it will only get worse. If you let it, it will eventually become a hole. Thankfully the rust on this car isn't deep so I can sand it off with the old paint. Simple. I'll pop some dents while I'm at it.
With the first car, I worked mostly on the interior while I was trying to fix it. The outside was so bad that I figured that I would at least make the inside nice until I can take care of that. On this new car, it's the reverse. I'm working on the outside aesthetics because it's actually close enough to being nice that I am able to eventually make it nice. Also, the interior on Lexy 2 is very good. Only the front seats are torn in a few places but the interior is in very good shape so I can leave it for now.
Now that I shared my short term goals with you, I want you to hear what I would like in my dream car. You could say this would be the final iteration of the car. I will have this, by God...
My absolute dream car is a big body luxury sleeper. I saw a movie as a kid in which there was a scene I won't forget. This isn't the reason why I want this type of car but it explains my mentality well. The bad guys in a Mercedes S class are chasing somebody going down winding California roads by the coast. I'm admiring the car and talking to my dad about it when the guy in the Mercedes tells the driver, "This baby doesn't have 1000 horsepower for no reason. Use it!" As the driver stomps on it.
That's a bit too much and not reliable, for sure. But a nice turbo boosting about 8psi on a 1uze would be amazing. That's a low load so it won't put any extra wear on the engine but will easily push the horsepower up by 50 or so. At that point, bigger headers and exhaust might help too. Nothing too fancy ever. The whole point is to keep it functional and reliable. Say, 350 horsepower is perfect for a daily driver.
The suspension needs work to lower the car a few inches. I want it to still be comfortable but if I can get somewhat stiff springs that aren't too harsh, that's what I will do. It definitely needs to be lower but still high enough to go over big speedbumps.
If it didn't have a lip kit and side skirts. I've always admired tiny spoilers on the LS400 too. I would like a rain stopper in front of the sun roof. I'm not sure about the side ones though. In the beginning I wanted them for sure but I think just the sunroof rain stopper alone looks much cleaner. By the way, I don't know what that thing is called so I'm calling it a rain stopper. It's those plastic pieces that can either be mounted in front of your sunroof or on top of your side windows. I assume their purpose is to allow you to lower your window a little bit while it's raining without having rain hit you or go in your car.
I want a dual-tipped catback exhaust - size varying based on if the car has a turbo. It won't have a turbo the first time I get my exhaust done, that's for sure. Something like that is an end-stage goal.
Before that, I would want to buy a low mileage 1uzfe motor and have it rebuilt so it would last me forever. I'm serious - this car needs to NOT die or have problems. I don't know why I'm so obsessed with making it super reliable but I want it to reach 500,000 miles, at least. Not on the original motor, of course, unless I have that one rebuilt. Same deal with the tranny.
Dang, nice... Interior.
Guys, I don't know if you can tell but when I picture my dream car, I see the LS400! It's gonna be a long road and I'm already enjoying every part of it. I thank God I was given this gift! I only hope you guys enjoy the upcoming tutorials and updates.
By the time I'm done, there will probably be a tutorial for every part on the car...
Have a great day people and show your friends this website if you enjoy it. Not enough people read anymore!
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