When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So, I picked up another rescue. 1997 w/ 167k miles; Lexus shows it as a Coach model, but I can't find any branding. Needed cam seals and I'm replacing the valve cover gaskets and cleaning the throttle body while it's off. The only real issue for me is the peeling clear-coat and dent in the LH rear quarter. Mostly because I don't do body work or work with anyone who does. But hey, at least now I have a use for that UCF20 parts car I picked up accidentally!
Just hoping the cam seal fixes the major oil leak. Doing the valve covers just to be safe. It looked to be coming from the LH cam, but I just did my best visually; I didn't do any fancy dye testing or anything. I did do a block gas test and it passed that.
Otherwise, thanks! I'm really torn on keeping it! Because I have 3 runners and I don't need all of them, nor does my wife appreciate that this is where all our extra money has been going.
Nice car. You might be able to get the damage out with PDR, and then just leave the scratch or make it a little less noticeable with a light compound and polish.
If you look closely at your seats, you'll notice the middle sections of each are perforated leather, while the outer sections are not. This is something I have only seen on Coach edition cars. The center arm rest in the front should have an embossed COACH logo on it too, if I recall correctly.
Nice car. You might be able to get the damage out with PDR, and then just leave the scratch or make it a little less noticeable with a light compound and polish.
It's pretty deep. I doubt PDR will cover it. I'd like to have it hammered out by someone really skilled and then have the whole car blocked and resprayed to stock.
But I found the logos! This car has been heavily neglected. Time to get it cleaned up and back to glory. Here's more pics! This thing is soooo dirty! Before and after cleaning up the oil leak.
Nope. Still hemorrhaging oil from the front. My new crank seal will be here in the morning. If that doesn't fix it, I guess I'm pulling the oil pump to inspect the o-ring and reseal it. There's a lot of grey gasket seal on this. A lot of evidence of recent work. Hopefully I get it sorted, because I'm in love with this Coach beauty.
Crank seal is replaced and the leak is gone! Next I need to inspect and rebuild the ECU; TRAC light flashing, diagnostic tools not registering.Then I'll see about flushing out the rack and servicing the solenoid to get rid of the slip-stick in the steering. Then on to cosmetic restoration.
I replaced the capacitors in my ECU and the car brightened right up! Much more responsive, and everything seems to work better, even my key fob. I need to pic up a cheap but full function diagnostic reader, but I'm gonna plug my new ToyOBD1 into the diagnostic port tomorrow.
Now I've got to take care of the slip-stick steering, and the squealing front breaks. After that I'm starting to learn PDR and will be buying a cheap tool set so I can clean up that rear quarter on this and the minor dents and dings on my '91 and '94. I'll see if I can get out and take some pics of it tomorrow.
What is this "slip-stick in the steering" you speak of? I may be experiencing the same thing.
The steering jumps between seemingly non-functional and fully-functional sporadically; I can hear the solenoid actuating when I'm trying to turn. I'm gonna pull the solenoid off after work today and clean it out. Then probably flush out the whole system and see if that's got it fixed.
Ok, thanks. I believe my issue is a bit different. When I'm making big, long turns at speed (think highway on/off ramps) my steering feel is not linear/constant. It starts fine and then I feel a small "slack" in pressure and then is returns to normal. Cycle is about about 2 seconds = fine, 1/2 second = slack, 2 seconds = fine, 1/2 second = slack.
03-12-19, 09:57 AM
Personal update: I now have 5
