Wondering what I will need for the toughest starter location replacement of all any vehicle on the planet of a 98 lexus ls400 any tips and tricks warnings or signs I need to be aware of ahead of the task before heading out on the venture! I turned the key it made an awful crunch noise continuously and I turned it off imedieatly! Now it makes a winding noise a whining but won’t turn over to crank! Appreciate all the feedback I can get

 

This is the section for the 2001 to 2005 IS300.

 

i paid a tech 500$ labor plus 80 bux for the part

580$ total and sold it

 

The 98-00 LS400 starter replacement is much easier than the previous generation Non-VVTi motors. The entire intake manifold with fuel rails and injectors comes out as 1 unit. Its heavy, around 40 lbs, but around 8 or 10 bolts hold the manifold to the block. Just remove intake and vacuum lines, disconnect all of the injectors and coil wires and get them out of the way. Be careful with all the clips on all of the electrical connectors, as they will be brittle and many will break or already be broken.

Order new lower manifold gaskets, and coolant crossover gaskets (metal coolant bridge at the back of the starter) and get some generic vacuum hose from your local auto parts place and you should be golden. I'd also replace the coolant temp sensor (green connector in pic) while you're in there. Took me around 6 hours, with thoroughly cleaning everything along the way. Getting to the starter bolts is a bit tricky, since they are behind the engine block against the firewall. I managed with basic hand tools and assorted wrenches and sockets. You'll need to top off a bit of coolant since you have to move that coolant bridge, won't be a lot.