whokidd

Ok, I'm planning on buying a 1996 Lexus LS400 tomorrow for $3000. It has 82k miles. Exterior and interior in good shape. The thing is when I turn on the car it makes a noise for maybe 3 minutes then goes away after the car warms up. I took it for a test drive and the car ran good. Also, owner says he charged the car with refrigerant and two weeks after the car blows hot air again. What are these problems? Are they easy fixes? Should this be a deal breaker for me? Thanks in advance for helping me out.

SuicidnS13

iTrader: (2)

Keep on looking or take it to lexus or another mechanic and pay for a proper inspection.

LScowboyLS

the car looks good and that is a great price, but I would want to know what the noise is before buying it - taking off the serpentine belt and seeing if the noise remains can quickly narrow it down on what is causing the noise!

if the noise disappears with the belt off, then it is either belt tensioner, PS pump, A/C compressor, idler pulley, fan pulley, alternator, or the belt itself - none of those are really a dealbreaker, at the price and mileage you are talking. - especially in Hawaii

Legender

Even at that price I'd get it checked out... to see what your possible expenditures could be. And if there is any prior damage... purchase based on fact, not emotion. May look good and drive good, but you've got to know it is good, or can be good for so much $ money for repairs... It is a great price for that many miles... but definitely has something wrong with the AC if it won't hold a charge... and the noises you speak of are not normal....

henryhill

sounds too good to be true

YoshiMan

Describe this noise you are hearing....

I paid $2700 for my 95' which is the EXACT same color, with 156K miles. IT needed about $1000 worth of parts to get it back to excellence.

Are you mechanically inclined?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Does he have full history or is he a second-third owner?

A/C can be $ to fix depending on issue. As per Cowboy's comments. The main moving part is the compressor so if it is losing refrigerant, a seal or bearing may be bad. That could be the noise but there are other items connected to the serpentine belt that are possibilities.

I can take odds that the timing belt has not been done and that will be a expense to consider. With A/C and timing belt along with fluids (power steering, tranny incremental drain, brake, differential), figure about $2K being conservative in repairs.

Check that the tires are wearing evenly. Some symptoms may indicate that suspension bushings may be in need of change. That comprises strut bar bushings, possibly ball joints. Then there are smaller rubber parts like tranny, engine and differential carrier mounts-bushings. On a low miles Hi car, unless they took it off road, the suspension shouldn't be to bad.

whokidd

Ok, so I ended up purchasing it for $2500. I went to my mechanic to charge the ac. He put a dye so he would find the leak if there is any. Will update you guys about the noise later. I also am purchasing SC430 wheels later today.

whokidd

One more thing about the ac now that it is blowing cold. I am not allowed to make the ac blow low or high in power. It's like it's always set on high. Anyone ever had this issue? Or would know how to solve it?

whokidd

The noise the car makes after start up is a whining noise, then goes away after the car warms up. Possibly belts?

LScowboyLS

there is only one drive belt, and yes, that could be your noise

take a spray bottle of water, and when you crank it up cold and it makes the noise, squirt the belt with a good bit of water from the spray bottle, if the noise goes away right then, it's the belt making the noise, and you need a new one.

also check PS fluid, which will cause a noise if low