canucklehe

Bought my first ever Lexus today and found this site through google search for dash light fix. I have a 1993 ES 300 with 140K miles. So far, seems like a beautiful car. Will be a lot better if I can figure out these issues. I have several Qs, so if a few folks could help me here & there, I'd sure be grateful.

1)Some dash lights not working: the tach light, speedo needle thin red light, and half of the ACC lights not working. How hard to take apart and fix?
-Also, gear indicator doesn't light until I put it in drive. Is that normal? (I thought reverse & neutral would light up too)

2) Heated seats. The high setting I can mildly feel, next to nothing on low. Is this normal? My '05 Ford PU and my brother's '05 Mini Cooper have really warm heated seats. These aren't close to that. Can I improve that somehow?

3) What is timing belt, pulleys & water pump job like, and what parts should I get (any cheap seller of quality parts?). I've done timing belts on other vehicles, but not sure how ugly this job might be.
- I see timing belt was replaced at 65K, 12 years ago. I think the recommended interval is 100K, so should I wait?

4) Are these 1993 V6 motors non-interference?

5) Previous owner said small leak at valve cover, and I can see a minor amount of oil residue on front valve cover but not ugly. But I get a whiff of motor oil inside. Would that leak cause that odor, or maybe something else I should check? Any known oil leak areas that cause this (on my 2000 Camry rear valve cover leaks onto exhaust pipe and does same thing).

6) AC isn't cold. Simple as a re-charge? Is this type of refrigerant still rechargeable, or can something else replace it?

7)think I need brakes all-round. Do the calipers just press in, or do they need a special tool to turn/twist them in?

8) Any other things to be mindful of, known issues, preventive action now, etc...,

sorry for all these Qs. I'm fussy and like everything to work and like to be ahead of potential problems I can prevent.

THANKS for any help

JSM

3) I would change the belt ASAP. It's mileage or time and it should have been done 6 years ago! You might be on borrowed time. THe 01 didn't seem to bad to me, but my whole motor was out! rockauto.com has the good kits: AISIN Part # TKT013 Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump. Aisin is supposed to be the OEM manufacturer

4) Pretty sure interference.

5)I'm sure they are due. Front easy, back PITB.

6) Just get it checked, replace what you can yourself and have it refilled by someone else. I think most companies started in 94 R134a. You'll pay through the nose for the old stuff. Retrofit kits are cheap, just need to drain the oil in compressor and change the seals.

Jeremy-KY

7) The calipers just press in, I just use a C Clamp and the metal side of the old brake pad to press the piston in, take your time and do it slowly!

Bdub215

iTrader: (1)

Fixed by bdub215.

canucklehe

bdub & JSM, are either of you certain about interfrence vs. non-interference?

JSM

It is not. You can use this site to look up your car.

http://www.gates.com/part_locator/in...o=Interference

canucklehe

I think my engine is non-interference from what I read on that site. they have a note indicating:

"The vehicle shown is not an interference engine unless noted "Interference Engine Application" in the comments column of the Cam Belt application section. "

When I checked my Lexus, it did not have any note in the cam belt section. then i checked my 2000 camry v6 which I'm told is non-interference, and it had no note either. Then I checked for my old '86 Honda Prelude and it had printed in the cam belt section, in red letters " interference engine application". And I remember being told that about my prelude.

So based on that long explanation, I think this motor is non-interference.

and JSM, thanks for that link.