My long-awaited yellow tints!
The biggest problem is still that oil leak. After replacing the water pump and timing belt (the key here), the car runs much better. I believe it needs a new fuel pump which I am having someone else do for me. I know - boo. I hate working with gasoline. Getting high on it isn't fun when you're trying to work!
I should warn you. If you don't want to read a bunch of ranting on why I'm pretty sure the problem is the fuel pump and want to skip to the good stuff, scroll down to "Good Stuff."
Always go with Denso, NGK, or another Japanese brand.
When the pump is in, the car should be fine again. Lexy 2 has a random misfire (code p0300) which could be something like spark plugs or wires. I have changed out the plugs and fuel filter which brought me to this point where the car is drivable.
Let me explain why I think it's the fuel pump. These are the symptoms. The car shakes at idle; it's misfiring because the pressure from the pump is too low and one cylinder doesn't get the gas it needs every second cycle (seems like). If I turn on the AC, the RPMs go up by a couple hundred and the engine starts misfiring every cycle at this point. Talk about shaking at idle. It's so bad that I haven't used the AC except for a few times. When I'm driving, it's okay except those throttle points change but it shakes so much that I can't shake the feeling it's not a good thing.
When I give the car moderate gas, it accelerates fine up to 50-70 mph. However I have learned to use the gas pedal in a certain way; let me explain. There are certain "spots" in the throttle where the engine misfires while accelerating. The car shakes while accelerating in these spots. If I give it even more gas at this point, the car will buck on me. Seems like it doesn't get nearly enough fuel then. If I ease off the gas or give it a little more (if I'm still at a pretty low speed), the engine stops misfiring.
If I was smoothly going 50 mph and pressed the pedal down significantly, more than one cylinder will misfire and I have to let off the gas because the car is just bucking on me.
I think that as I press the gas pedal, the pump is told to pump more and more gas and basically craps out after a certain point. That's why I can manipulate the throttle for the car to be in those rev ranges where the motor is getting enough fuel pressure. It's in-between that doesn't work.
I think if it was the spark plug system then it wouldn't be so predictable. I have a set of spark plug wires that I will change out for mine if it doesn't work and furthermore, replace the distributor caps. But I shouldn't need to. I feel hopeful. I know that just a new fuel filter helped.
Good Stuff
Like I said, I feel very blessed because I have been able to order three items that I'm extremely excited for. They are...
1. Fenders! Yes, I found some that even a poor chap like me can afford. All four pieces. Also, I suppose I'm British now, mate.
I've posted this car before and it's almost like it predicted the future but it was a coincidence. This is one of my favorite LS400s and I'm honored to not only have the yellow corner lights but those same fenders. Very classy. I really need to hop on that paint job...
And no, I didn't 'copy' it even though if I did, who would really care? Actually I got the yellow tint because the idea was to do the whole headlight yellow. It's a nostalgic look for me - I grew up in Europe and back in the day, every car had yellow lights. After doing the corner lights, I realized that doing the headlight, too, would be too much. I'm waiting for some clear turn signals to pop up on eBay and I'm tinting those yellow. The orange stock ones look bad... Pretty bad...
2. Spoiler. Yes, a huge wing. Nah, it's a small, classy carbon fiber spoiler. You heard that right, carbon fiber. Jokes aside, again, I didn't expect ANY of this right now.
3. Door Projector Lights. I like playing with lights so I have the blue LEDs inside (a gift), the blue fog lights outside, and I am waiting for Logo Projector Lights. What do they do?
Open your door - bam, there's a Lexus symbol projected by an LED.
Maybe one day I'll get lambo doors for the car.
Overall, really, I'm astounded. This may not be that much money altogether but it is when you're saving every dollar to move up! Life has been getting better. It always does as long as you give it your best shot.
I've already decided on my color scheme. The rims will be Burnt Bronze or Bronze for now. I'm keeping the two tone; my wife likes my car and said I shouldn't paint it all white so you know what? I'm gonna do the bottom in maybe a gloss gunmetal-gray type color but lighter. If not that then possibly a light gold color to somewhat match the rims.
It's not always a bad idea to listen to your wife when she likes your car and actually has good taste. Her favorite car is a 1974-76 Dodge Challenger. That should tell you something.
Black fenders and a carbon fiber wing will complete the look until I decide I want it to look different one week later. You know how that is.
There's also a bonus. Do you guys remember the hood pins? Well, those are going on too. And I can't wait. I've already been hated on for my car but mostly been loved.
I may move the fog lights at a different time to the holes in the bumper. I chose this look to give a nod to rally with the protruding lights. I'm building my car for function. I've stated before that even when it comes to the suspension, I will lower it a little bit but if I need to hop a curb to get away from a crazy mofo with a gun, well, I'm gonna be able to! If I want to be stupid and rally the thing, I can do that, too.
Notice: the inside is blue because of the LEDs and the fog light is as well. This picture is from before I tinted the corner lights. The lights I ordered that project the Lexus logo are also blue.
Short and Medium-term Goals
The most important thing to fix right now is the oil leak. I think it's coming from the valve cover gasket(s) but neither I nor a mechanic was able to tell at a glance. I might have to replace the camshaft and crankshaft seals.
I think whether or not the fuel pump fixes my random misfire (the CEL flashes, by the way), I'm gonna get a new set of spark plug wires and I also have a replacement distributor cap.
I think this car would benefit from a new Coolant Temp Sensor. It should be changed every 100k miles or so because your engine loses a little bit of power as it degrades. If mine has never been replaced, I can expect 30 horsepower and that's no lie. Just an LS400 thing.
Coming at you in the daylight with a flashlight...
There's some minor touches I've done since I last talked about Lexy II. The car came with one of the worst floormatts I have ever seen. I grabbed a new set from the junkyard and used vinyl paint to paint it beige as it was blue before. I also found custom ordered, fitted LS400 car seat covers at the yard. Those are about $60 each new or $4 at the yard... Man I love that place.
The seat covers are really some of the best quality covers you can buy that don't cost $150. I got mine cheap but if you're thinking of buying these, I would recommend them. Don't pay too much but I've tried four different sets counting the one I made and these are the only seat covers that don't constantly slip off the seat. Also they're fitted like I said so they just look nice. Keep in mind, these were all black and I painted the leather parts beige using vinyl paint so the covers matched my interior.
One of the last things is a shifter. The one I had was flaking apart and this one is black, made out of a very good quality leather, feels good in your hand, and has very nice stitching. Matches the black on the new seat covers, too.
I'm going to wrap this up but always remember; replacing/fixing some small things adds up to a lot. It's all about the detail. Have a great day, people.
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