Help on my 94 LS400 purchase
12-22-12, 04:11 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Help on my 94 LS400 purchase
How's it going everyone!
I am about to purchase a local 224,000 mile 94 LS400, off white/silver 2 tone (color changes pending on sunlight) with tan interior for $2,900. First off, the car is amazingly clean, well maintained and has had the same owner since 1997. Car looks 5 years old at the most, all electronics work and the display (speedometer panel) has been replaced.
Motor turns over with ease however it has a quiet tick to it during idle. As soon as you start driving you can't hear it. Could this just be ticking valves or something a bit more serious? The owner told me he's been using regular 87 octane the past 6 years so maybe that has something to do with it. Other than the tick and front right leaking strut, this car has no issues. Few questions about the early 1uz V8.
1. What components which need to be replaced at intervals (other than the waterpump and timing belt change every 100k miles)?
2. Any common issues with the early model 400's?
3. Should I continue to use 87 octane since the computer has adjusted to the fuel or should I ween the car back to 93 octane? Any risk to doing this?
Honestly for the price and condition of this 400, I don't think I can go wrong with purchasing this car and using it as my daily driver. This will be my first Lexus, previously owned a 94 Land Cruiser. Thanks yall
I am about to purchase a local 224,000 mile 94 LS400, off white/silver 2 tone (color changes pending on sunlight) with tan interior for $2,900. First off, the car is amazingly clean, well maintained and has had the same owner since 1997. Car looks 5 years old at the most, all electronics work and the display (speedometer panel) has been replaced.
Motor turns over with ease however it has a quiet tick to it during idle. As soon as you start driving you can't hear it. Could this just be ticking valves or something a bit more serious? The owner told me he's been using regular 87 octane the past 6 years so maybe that has something to do with it. Other than the tick and front right leaking strut, this car has no issues. Few questions about the early 1uz V8.
1. What components which need to be replaced at intervals (other than the waterpump and timing belt change every 100k miles)?
2. Any common issues with the early model 400's?
3. Should I continue to use 87 octane since the computer has adjusted to the fuel or should I ween the car back to 93 octane? Any risk to doing this?
Honestly for the price and condition of this 400, I don't think I can go wrong with purchasing this car and using it as my daily driver. This will be my first Lexus, previously owned a 94 Land Cruiser. Thanks yall
12-22-12, 05:18 PM
#2
Welcome and congrats! (almost) 
I would suggest you search the forums and look at the FAQ sections at the top. This way topics are not repeated over and over.
The ticking sound may be the injectors. Valve noise is usually more pronounced and would become more rapid with higher RPM. Also, it would not go away as you drive. Yes, it would be wise to go back to 93. The computer retards the timing via knock sensors based on knock. The ECM never gets "used" to a certain type of fuel. It is constantly monitoring for knock. The octane debate has been discussed to death but the car was designed to run on premium and you will get the better MPG on 93. Just the mileage increase alone is worth using the recommended fuel.
Just to give you a quick start look at all your fluids, check gaskets and bushes. Power steering fluid leaking onto the alternator is a pretty common problem on earlier years and degrading capacitors in the ECM is a problem but not expensive to fix. Since the ECM is fine I would leave it for now. Otherwise, just go over the car as normal and if she is running great then have at it.
I would suggest you search the forums and look at the FAQ sections at the top. This way topics are not repeated over and over.
The ticking sound may be the injectors. Valve noise is usually more pronounced and would become more rapid with higher RPM. Also, it would not go away as you drive. Yes, it would be wise to go back to 93. The computer retards the timing via knock sensors based on knock. The ECM never gets "used" to a certain type of fuel. It is constantly monitoring for knock. The octane debate has been discussed to death but the car was designed to run on premium and you will get the better MPG on 93. Just the mileage increase alone is worth using the recommended fuel.
Just to give you a quick start look at all your fluids, check gaskets and bushes. Power steering fluid leaking onto the alternator is a pretty common problem on earlier years and degrading capacitors in the ECM is a problem but not expensive to fix. Since the ECM is fine I would leave it for now. Otherwise, just go over the car as normal and if she is running great then have at it.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 12-22-12 at 05:33 PM.
12-22-12, 05:44 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
you don't need to wean the car to 93, just start using it immediately, it's dying for it, use it full strength immediately, and don't go back to lesser octane!
you might want to go to Wal-mart and buy a few bottles of Techron and run them through there as well at about double the recommended rate!
I would also replace the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor with the real Toyota one, as well as the distributor caps, rotors, plugs, and plug wires and also clean the throttle body butterfly.
a set of real Nippon Denso pre-cat O2 sensors wouldn't be a bad idea either.
you might want to go to Wal-mart and buy a few bottles of Techron and run them through there as well at about double the recommended rate!
I would also replace the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor with the real Toyota one, as well as the distributor caps, rotors, plugs, and plug wires and also clean the throttle body butterfly.
a set of real Nippon Denso pre-cat O2 sensors wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 12-22-12 at 05:49 PM.
12-22-12, 05:54 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Welcome and congrats! (almost)
I would suggest you search the forums and look at the FAQ sections at the top. This way topics are not repeated over and over.
The ticking sound may be the injectors. Valve noise is usually more pronounced and would become more rapid with higher RPM. Also, it would not go away as you drive. Yes, it would be wise to go back to 93. The computer retards the timing via knock sensors based on knock. The ECM never gets "used" to a certain type of fuel. It is constantly monitoring for knock. The octane debate has been discussed to death but the car was designed to run on premium and you will get the better MPG on 93. Just the mileage increase alone is worth using the recommended fuel.
Just to give you a quick start look at all your fluids, check gaskets and bushes. Power steering fluid leaking onto the alternator is a pretty common problem on earlier years and degrading capacitors in the ECM is a problem but not expensive to fix. Since the ECM is fine I would leave it for now. Otherwise, just go over the car as normal and if she is running great then have at it.
I would suggest you search the forums and look at the FAQ sections at the top. This way topics are not repeated over and over.
The ticking sound may be the injectors. Valve noise is usually more pronounced and would become more rapid with higher RPM. Also, it would not go away as you drive. Yes, it would be wise to go back to 93. The computer retards the timing via knock sensors based on knock. The ECM never gets "used" to a certain type of fuel. It is constantly monitoring for knock. The octane debate has been discussed to death but the car was designed to run on premium and you will get the better MPG on 93. Just the mileage increase alone is worth using the recommended fuel.
Just to give you a quick start look at all your fluids, check gaskets and bushes. Power steering fluid leaking onto the alternator is a pretty common problem on earlier years and degrading capacitors in the ECM is a problem but not expensive to fix. Since the ECM is fine I would leave it for now. Otherwise, just go over the car as normal and if she is running great then have at it.
you don't need to wean the car to 93, just start using it immediately, it's dying for it, use it full strength immediately, and don't go back to lesser octane!
you might want to go to Wal-mart and buy a few bottles of Techron and run them through there as well at about double the recommended rate!
you might want to go to Wal-mart and buy a few bottles of Techron and run them through there as well at about double the recommended rate!
BTW, car was serviced at Fayette Imports 3 weeks ago so it shouldn't be needing new cap/rotor, plugs, etc until 3,000 miles when I plan on servicing it myself.
12-23-12, 06:06 PM
#5
Make sure suspension bushings and engine mounts are good. And ball joints. If the front upper control arm ball joints are bad, the only way to get new OEM pieces is to replace the control arm. And the OEM pieces are pricey (clublexus discount = something like $500 to $600 per front upper control arm). Though some members have reported positive results with less expensive Dorman replacements. Make sure to check out the fuse box before buying, or you might find something really neat, like I did.
12-23-12, 07:44 PM
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Make sure suspension bushings and engine mounts are good. And ball joints. If the front upper control arm ball joints are bad, the only way to get new OEM pieces is to replace the control arm. And the OEM pieces are pricey (clublexus discount = something like $500 to $600 per front upper control arm). Though some members have reported positive results with less expensive Dorman replacements. Make sure to check out the fuse box before buying, or you might find something really neat, like I did.
12-24-12, 12:28 AM
#7
Pole Position
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to go a bit off topic, but for some reason, this thread has made me wonder about MoS2 oil additives... Saw Liqui-Moly and a few other brands make a MoS2 additive for oil...
Usually I stay away from fuel and oil additives as most of it is snake oil... But MoS2 is not and makes me wonder how it would apply to our tank engines.
Usually I stay away from fuel and oil additives as most of it is snake oil... But MoS2 is not and makes me wonder how it would apply to our tank engines.
Trending Topics
12-24-12, 07:36 AM
#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Sorry to go a bit off topic, but for some reason, this thread has made me wonder about MoS2 oil additives... Saw Liqui-Moly and a few other brands make a MoS2 additive for oil...
Usually I stay away from fuel and oil additives as most of it is snake oil... But MoS2 is not and makes me wonder how it would apply to our tank engines.
Usually I stay away from fuel and oil additives as most of it is snake oil... But MoS2 is not and makes me wonder how it would apply to our tank engines.
12-24-12, 10:29 AM
#9
dont panic... I have had 11 LS400's, since 1993. and I have always used 87 fuel in them. I am a retired mechanic and do not damage my cars or race them, just drive them and have not had any trouble. done regular maintaince as needed. so just get it, drive it and wait until the car tells you "I need something".
They are great cars and you will not want anything else after owning one.... take a look at my photobucket.
They are great cars and you will not want anything else after owning one.... take a look at my photobucket.
12-24-12, 11:02 AM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
dont panic... I have had 11 LS400's, since 1993. and I have always used 87 fuel in them. I am a retired mechanic and do not damage my cars or race them, just drive them and have not had any trouble. done regular maintaince as needed. so just get it, drive it and wait until the car tells you "I need something".
They are great cars and you will not want anything else after owning one.... take a look at my photobucket.
They are great cars and you will not want anything else after owning one.... take a look at my photobucket.
BTW I looked at your photobucket, very impressive lineup of vehicles.. especially the 94 with the mesh wheels
I believe I have the same color as you do, are these Anniversary models (gold emblem package, LS wheels with small center caps, etc)? Here is a pic, more to come once I give her a full detail 
12-24-12, 11:19 AM
#11
I appreciate your input billydpowe! I've talked to a few mechanics and many of them said low octane fuel won't hurt a high compression engine. I picked the car up an hour ago and its got a full tank of 87 so I'll drive that out and get some 93 to see the performance difference.
BTW I looked at your photobucket, very impressive lineup of vehicles.. especially the 94 with the mesh wheels I believe I have the same color as you do, are these Anniversary models (gold emblem package, LS wheels with small center caps, etc)? Here is a pic, more to come once I give her a full detail
BTW I looked at your photobucket, very impressive lineup of vehicles.. especially the 94 with the mesh wheels
I believe I have the same color as you do, are these Anniversary models (gold emblem package, LS wheels with small center caps, etc)? Here is a pic, more to come once I give her a full detail your LS really looks nice, just enjoy it.
12-24-12, 01:04 PM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Yeah I'm missing a center cap on the drivers side so I'm going to try and find one. And I defiantly will, thanks!
12-24-12, 01:32 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
I've talked to a few mechanics and many of them said low octane fuel won't hurt a high compression engine.
in the best case, your knock sensors will detect the detonation condition and severely retard the timing resulting in crappy performance and fuel mileage, but at least save the engine from damage.
I have tested my own mileage and I get a minimum of 2 mpg better fuel economy with 93 on the LS400, so because of the difference in gas mileage, the 93 gas costs basically the same amount as 87, so why would anyone want to use 87 is beyond me!
PS - the car looks good, you and me both need to get those $35/set clear turn signals on ebay, so it will look like it is about 10 years newer!
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 12-24-12 at 01:41 PM.
12-24-12, 01:57 PM
#14
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
then you need to stop talking to redneck retard mechanics and talk to an engineer! - please read up on detonation (knock) and the long-term damage it can do to an engine!
in the best case, your knock sensors will detect the detonation condition and severely retard the timing resulting in crappy performance and fuel mileage, but at least save the engine from damage.
I have tested my own mileage and I get a minimum of 2 mpg better fuel economy with 93 on the LS400, so because of the difference in gas mileage, the 93 gas costs basically the same amount as 87, so why would anyone want to use 87 is beyond me!
PS - the car looks good, you and me both need to get those $35/set clear turn signals on ebay, so it will look like it is about 10 years newer!
in the best case, your knock sensors will detect the detonation condition and severely retard the timing resulting in crappy performance and fuel mileage, but at least save the engine from damage.
I have tested my own mileage and I get a minimum of 2 mpg better fuel economy with 93 on the LS400, so because of the difference in gas mileage, the 93 gas costs basically the same amount as 87, so why would anyone want to use 87 is beyond me!
PS - the car looks good, you and me both need to get those $35/set clear turn signals on ebay, so it will look like it is about 10 years newer!
Thanks for the complement, I think its the picture that makes the corner light's look yellowed.. in person they are very clear! Maybe I can hit up ebay to get a center cap for my drivers side front wheel
12-24-12, 04:27 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
I think its the picture that makes the corner light's look yellowed.. in person they are very clear!
you need a set of these