E46CT CT200h Diary (w/ pictures)
#61
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Sorry I should've called it the oil drain plug gasket. (located at the oil pan)
Just the small o-ring.
Yes you will need the oil filter housing wrench.
Just the small o-ring.
Yes you will need the oil filter housing wrench.
#62
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Oh forgot.. after an oil change using the 5 quart jug, you're left with a mason jar full of oil. the CT200h/Prius takes 4.2 quarts of oil.
So i guess after 4 changes, I'll have enough oil for another change... only thing is shelf life for the oil is a year. So not sure what I'll do with this leftover oil..
So i guess after 4 changes, I'll have enough oil for another change... only thing is shelf life for the oil is a year. So not sure what I'll do with this leftover oil..
#63
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Went to check my throttle body. I expected it to be a bit dirtier. Surprised how clean it was. Gave the outside and around the butterfly plate a clean anyway.
Open the plate and there's a bunch of oil inside. but that's normal and to be expected. Doesn't bother me.
Open the plate and there's a bunch of oil inside. but that's normal and to be expected. Doesn't bother me.
#64
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
tire rotation
#65
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I bought 20mm spacers for the rear to fill out the gap a bit. I hope it doesn't go overboard then the front will be unbalanced. they just stick in WAY too much. i don't want it flushed, i just want it *balanced*
i'll report back when I install them.
i'll report back when I install them.
#66
Driver School Candidate
I was wondering if you could talki about the projector installation. Is it quite hard to do the Morimoto or the RX350? Like are you cutting and modifying the headlight?
#67
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
RX350 requires very slight cutting (super easy trust me) the morimotos even with conversion brackets (they come with it) require more modification. RX350 is the better choice. just more expensive.
#68
Driver School Candidate
Do you happen to have any pictures of the process from pealing the lights apart to adding and modifying the lights to fit the RX350? I know they need to be tweaked and tuned then right, at least from the youtube videos I've seen. This would probably be my biggest job I've done before - not to handy. Haha.
#69
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
It was a long time ago. I thought I posted some on here in this thread. I've done the conversion on two different CTs. And a 3rd gen prius. it's easy.
Pull the top half of the bumper down by undoing the sides and top and you can pivot the bumper down so you can remove the headlights. go slow and mask the edge of the fenders with tape so you don't scratch them with the bumper.
then you pull the headlights (there's a feisty little metal tab you have to bend with a screwdriver to unlock the headlights from the body of the car) just bend it back when you reinstall.
then you undo the screws from the back of the headlight, there's like 8 per light. then bake the headlights in the oven (see google on how to do this) and carefully pry the headlights apart. i recommend using a flat wide thin metal tool like a butter knife or spatula so you don't damage the plastic as it will be really soft and deforms easily.
then once you have the lights apart, unbolt the four screws holding the stock projector onto the frame. Test fit the RX350s and you'll see the solenoid on the RX350 touches the bottom of the CT200h chrome frame. You just cut a slit out using a dremel. should take less than a minute. and refit. The cut will be hidden once the headlights are back together so don't worry. Then you roughly close the headlight halfs together (don't worry at this point it won't fit cause the glue has hardened) then you put it back in the oven and let the glue soften. Take it out, close the headlights together and install the screws. Then put it back in the oven for a little so the glue reflows (you don't want moisture leak problems later on) then go over the screws one last time. and you're done.
Then wiring is a whole different story. Do it cleanly and carefully. I recommend using a dual relay setup for redundancy and safety. I zip tied and routed everything carefully and used OEM Lexus/Toyota Denso ballasts.
Pull the top half of the bumper down by undoing the sides and top and you can pivot the bumper down so you can remove the headlights. go slow and mask the edge of the fenders with tape so you don't scratch them with the bumper.
then you pull the headlights (there's a feisty little metal tab you have to bend with a screwdriver to unlock the headlights from the body of the car) just bend it back when you reinstall.
then you undo the screws from the back of the headlight, there's like 8 per light. then bake the headlights in the oven (see google on how to do this) and carefully pry the headlights apart. i recommend using a flat wide thin metal tool like a butter knife or spatula so you don't damage the plastic as it will be really soft and deforms easily.
then once you have the lights apart, unbolt the four screws holding the stock projector onto the frame. Test fit the RX350s and you'll see the solenoid on the RX350 touches the bottom of the CT200h chrome frame. You just cut a slit out using a dremel. should take less than a minute. and refit. The cut will be hidden once the headlights are back together so don't worry. Then you roughly close the headlight halfs together (don't worry at this point it won't fit cause the glue has hardened) then you put it back in the oven and let the glue soften. Take it out, close the headlights together and install the screws. Then put it back in the oven for a little so the glue reflows (you don't want moisture leak problems later on) then go over the screws one last time. and you're done.
Then wiring is a whole different story. Do it cleanly and carefully. I recommend using a dual relay setup for redundancy and safety. I zip tied and routed everything carefully and used OEM Lexus/Toyota Denso ballasts.
The following 3 users liked this post by E46CT:
#70
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Here she is. I have to wait for the paint to cure before waxing. I want to do 30 days, but I'll wait 60 days.
The first time the car was ready I wasn't happy with the paint. So they repainted the entire left side (again) and touched up a few things, replaced all the mouldings on the rear door including the b pillar. Then I had to re-wrap everything myself. Rear hatch lid and new bumper painted, new emblem, roof rail moldings are all new too.
The first time the car was ready I wasn't happy with the paint. So they repainted the entire left side (again) and touched up a few things, replaced all the mouldings on the rear door including the b pillar. Then I had to re-wrap everything myself. Rear hatch lid and new bumper painted, new emblem, roof rail moldings are all new too.
#71
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
#72
Did they have any problems with your request? Did you have to talk with the insurance?
#73
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I realize I should've posted this in the accident thread I made. lol. Oh well.
No problems with my request and no I didn't talk to insurance about it. The contract exists between me (the customer) and the service provider (the body shop) so it's 100% their deal.
No problems with my request and no I didn't talk to insurance about it. The contract exists between me (the customer) and the service provider (the body shop) so it's 100% their deal.
#74
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Ordered F Sport blue lowering springs. So i'll be installing those soon.
#75
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Got my springs fast. Installed the rears yesterday. It's been a few years since I did a CT suspension so the first spring took me 45 minutes and the other side took me 15 min. All in all pretty easy. I will do the fronts this week. Dreading it but it shouldn't be that bad.
This second pic--went for a drive. (springs not installed yet in this pic) 100% stock suspension. Testing out the new iPhone 11 pro ultra wide camera here.
This second pic--went for a drive. (springs not installed yet in this pic) 100% stock suspension. Testing out the new iPhone 11 pro ultra wide camera here.
The following users liked this post:
ThomasD94 (08-07-20)