Lexus: 1990 Lexus LS 400 (V-8)

>The thing I need to know most: 

The filter's a little tricky to reach at first but it's a snap after a
few change. Just remember not to over-thread it - it will be a PITA
later. 5 quarts of Mobile1 is all she needs (technically, it's 4.8 or
something but 5's the norm).

GOD, I miss that magic carpet, i mean car...........

Duh Dept: Make that "Mobil"..... if that's what she's planning on
running.

Hehe... She's buying the oil- I think she's going with dino juice rather
than synthetic (low income, and not much driving around, no real use for the
extra cost) and with 10w30 for this climate. I'll have her get 5 quarts
then. (THANKS!) Just got under the hood and poked around and saw how tight a
squeeze it'll be to get at the filter from below, so what I think I will do
is drain the oil first on level ground, then put it up on jack stands in
front to get at the filter once it's drained sufficiently (I'm thin but the
ground clearance is a bit low for even me.)

She's never done any auto maintenance before and her husband's no gear-head.
I'm going to show her how to clean the engine bay while we're at it (it's a
real grime-pit.)

Know all about the over-threading it. Finger-tight, then half a turn.
Similar with the drain plug. I've never lost a drop and always been able to
get the things off next oil change.
Thanks for the speedy input.
--
Dee
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"doubleq" <net> wrote in message
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My 90 LS400 has always used just regular oil and has clocked over 200K with
few signs of slowing down. I don't change my own oil in this car, so I can
not be of any help there, but I would suggest you stick to 5W30. "I" truly
believe you get slightly better mpg, but it COULD BE all psychological! My
car gets pretty miserable short trip, in town, gas mileage, but ~25 mph
highway. If you let a shop change it, TELL them it will take ALL FIVE
QUARTS. These cars DO burn a small amount of oil (even spelled out in the
owners manual) under long trip, high speed conditions and if they only put 4
quarts in, you will probably have the indicator light flash out on the
highway. I carry a reserve quart. Changing every 3500 mi is probably
overkill, but I do it anyway. You can change the air filter yourself, but
forget the spark plugs - the left side ones are a real pain in the ass.
"My" timing belts replacement schedule (for this non-interference engine) is
significantly longer than that recommended by Lexus ( I replaced the first
one @ 120K and the one they took out, looked new - do whatever YOU feel
comfortable with however - BUT replace the water pump at the same). If the
power steering pump has never been replaced, watch it carefully - they tend
to leak and take out the alternator. A quick, once a month inspection of
the engine compartment/fluid levels can tell you a lot. If it has been a
while since you drove a rear wheel drive car in the snow (and that is
something you are likely to do), be careful getting use to its handling (or
lack there of!).

>so what I think I will do is drain the 

How are you going to access the drain plug if you don't elevate the car
up first?

*grins* the oil pan is on the bottom, correct? I'm about to get started on
the task right now so I'll let you guys know how we do. If all else
fails, we go rent a lift at the Auto Hobby shop on base and do it there.

--
Dee
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"doubleq" <net> wrote in message
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>the oil pan is on the bottom, correct?

You can reach it without jacks or ramps?

Yeah, I probably could have, but since I was showing her how to do it, I
wanted the extra clearance and went ahead and put it up on jackstands (with
the jack still in place, as a back-up... safety first!) Apparently she just
had it changed back in May and hadn't put many miles on it yet. Oil wasn't
real dark yet, no grit, no residue underneath (so the last change hadn't
been leaking.) The plug and filter came off real easy (however, we
definitely need to clean that engine bay, it looks like an old abandoned
wreck under the hood!) Oil change successful.

She is also concerned because they just had the transmission rebuilt, and
since getting it back she feels like it isn't shifting soon enough (maybe
she got used to it shifting late) and the rev is a little high. It also
seems to be leaking power steering fluid. They got the car used, but are
trying to keep up with the maintenance (seems to have been abused.) She's
been using really poor fuel in it, and I'm thinking that may be the biggest
issue with the poor performance. She's really wanting to learn this stuff
(like I am still.) Two wimmins working on cars while the menfolk play
military, scary huh?

--
Dee
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"doubleq" <net> wrote in message
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