Lexus: 1990 Lexus LS 400 shifting problems

My neighbor (no computer, which is why I'm posting) has a 1990 Lexus
LS 400 with the V-8 engine, Automatic. Back in July she had her
transmission rebuilt (after 17 miles or so of highway driving it
wouldn't move forward up the off ramp, just revved, left them
stranded.) When she got it back she says she felt like it was
shifting late, the rpm's were getting too high before it would gear
up.

She also says the engine sounds/runs like crap (probably due to known
cheap/poor gas use.) Poor performance.

We changed the oil by the book last weekend, no leaks, old oil was
clean and free of debris (although unsure of contaminants, we did not
have it analyzed.) (Thanks again to those who replied with info on that
previously.)

Later that day it stuck in 'Park'. I went over and wrestled with the
shift and buttons to get it into Reverse (or any gear) for her so she could
get her
kid from school. She's driven it minimally since then.

Today she says it was shifting late, idling really low and lugging it
as she tried to go 25mph. As she put it in reverse to get out of the
parking spot at the school, it died on her.

There's a known power steering fluid leak, which she is staying on
top of. All other fluid levels look good.

I'm looking for some guesses as to the issue at hand here. I don't
know where the fuel filter is to change it if it's a bad gas/fuel
clog issue- help locating and advice on changing it is welcome. I've got
Haynes manuals on my own vehicles so I'm sure the steps/safety issues are
the same, but location isn't.
It's also a 30+ mile drive back to the transmission shop (still
warranted, although the shop apparently has a bad rep for backing up
their work) but I could follow behind her to make sure she makes it
there. The car was purchased used a year or two ago, I'm guessing it
was badly abused, but they're trying to take care of it. Thanks in advance.

--
Dee
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"Pookerz" <com> wrote in message
news:Hxm2d.20400$news.prodigy.com... 

This is Turtle.

Yea those round air filter is a hard one to get off and back on again.

i had a vacuum leak a few years back and it was the vacuum line attaching on the
air intake hose leaving the filter and located about 8 inches from the air
filter back toward the air intake of the engine. The plastic male hose connector
where the hose connects split and cracked to let air in. It split and started
leaking again here lately and had to use J.B. Weld to patch the air leak on the
plastic hose connector.

if you get a vacuum leak. they will do strange things to say the least.

TURTLE