Bad motor in LS400, on to the next LS400
#1
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Bad motor in LS400, on to the next LS400
Hey everyone! It has been a seriously eventful month for my 1993 LS400. Bare with me for a minute!
I have always had a nasty ticking noise that arises only when I hit the gas. About a month ago, my car started overheating and I found out that I was losing coolant rapidly and was having to constantly refill the overflow, but there was never any leaks on the ground. Then I was sitting at the ATM and my heater control valve exploded and all my fluid went to the ground. So after I got it in the shop and got that fixed, it was still losing fluid. Turns out, my head gaskets are bad! So after my mechanic explained the detailed parts, what I got out of it was that because the coolant was leaking into the motor, the compression of the cooling system is off so therefore its causing things to overheat and explode (HCV).
So basically my only option would be to rebuild the engine. The car has 213k miles though so he did not want to rebuild just the top because then the bottom would have 213k and the top would have 0. He didnt feel comfortable doing that but I couldn't afford the 3-4k to rebuild the whole motor. The car was still drivable temporarily so I did so until I figured out what to do.
So 5 days later, my mechanic was at the auction like he is every Friday and low and behold, there is a 1992 LS400 in beautiful condition with 83k miles on it. He bought it for 2300 bucks! On my 93 I did an incredible amount of work, P/S pump and rack and pinion, transmission, rebuilt the interior, timing belt, entire serpentine pulley system, Denso alternator, starter, blower fans, electrical sensors and so much more that I can't think of. So basically almost all the parts I just put on my 1993, I can either install on my 1992 or trade/sell out the ones that don't fit and get the parts I need.
The 20'' rims and tires are almost brand new so I am selling those (not a fan of huge rims). I am going to put my original LS400 rims and tires on the new car. So basically, on to the next LS400 rebuild! I am actually starting on it today.
Also, there is a 1991 and a 1992 LS400 at the junkyard I go to so I can also get everything I need from them since they changed a lot of the electrical wiring from 92-93.
The white one is my old one, the black one is my new one:
I have always had a nasty ticking noise that arises only when I hit the gas. About a month ago, my car started overheating and I found out that I was losing coolant rapidly and was having to constantly refill the overflow, but there was never any leaks on the ground. Then I was sitting at the ATM and my heater control valve exploded and all my fluid went to the ground. So after I got it in the shop and got that fixed, it was still losing fluid. Turns out, my head gaskets are bad! So after my mechanic explained the detailed parts, what I got out of it was that because the coolant was leaking into the motor, the compression of the cooling system is off so therefore its causing things to overheat and explode (HCV).
So basically my only option would be to rebuild the engine. The car has 213k miles though so he did not want to rebuild just the top because then the bottom would have 213k and the top would have 0. He didnt feel comfortable doing that but I couldn't afford the 3-4k to rebuild the whole motor. The car was still drivable temporarily so I did so until I figured out what to do.
So 5 days later, my mechanic was at the auction like he is every Friday and low and behold, there is a 1992 LS400 in beautiful condition with 83k miles on it. He bought it for 2300 bucks! On my 93 I did an incredible amount of work, P/S pump and rack and pinion, transmission, rebuilt the interior, timing belt, entire serpentine pulley system, Denso alternator, starter, blower fans, electrical sensors and so much more that I can't think of. So basically almost all the parts I just put on my 1993, I can either install on my 1992 or trade/sell out the ones that don't fit and get the parts I need.
The 20'' rims and tires are almost brand new so I am selling those (not a fan of huge rims). I am going to put my original LS400 rims and tires on the new car. So basically, on to the next LS400 rebuild! I am actually starting on it today.
Also, there is a 1991 and a 1992 LS400 at the junkyard I go to so I can also get everything I need from them since they changed a lot of the electrical wiring from 92-93.
The white one is my old one, the black one is my new one:
#4
Pole Position
the 20s don't look half bad. That drivers seat on the other hand..... You owe your mechanic a cold one he definately did you a solid this go round.
Good looking dog by the way.
Good looking dog by the way.
#6
I've never seen so much wear on a 83,000 miler seat the last owner must have worn wire wool pants, is that an aftermarket shifter looks different and unlike the seat virtually unworn.
Engine bay looks very clean consistent with mileage.
Engine bay looks very clean consistent with mileage.
#7
Pic 4 and 5... oooh, i love it when shes all wet...
great find. matter of fact or is it fact of the matter (?), the entire interior looks totally f'd.. the center console.. even the passenger seat.. sheezus, how could they do such a thing to her? Looks like the victim of some jealous rage.
great find. matter of fact or is it fact of the matter (?), the entire interior looks totally f'd.. the center console.. even the passenger seat.. sheezus, how could they do such a thing to her? Looks like the victim of some jealous rage.
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#8
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I know, not sure why the leather is so awful but the junkyard LS400 has a charcoal grey interior with great looking seats. Not sure about the shifter but I noticed that as well, thought it might be aftermarket
#9
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I love the original look of the LS400's so I plan to restore this one and keep it that way. I plan on keeping this baby for a very long time
#10
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And thanks! That's my Greyhound/Red nose mix, Dixie.
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1994 LS400
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
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07-30-03 07:44 AM