I just purchased a 1996 LS400 with 218XXX Miles. Maintenance Advice? I have a list!
01-28-14, 01:26 PM
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New Proud Owner of a 1996 LS400 with 218XXX Miles. Maintenance Advice?
I am new here. Like the many others I have recently become the proud owner of an used LS400. This baby was in the best condition of the 7 LS's I test drove within my price range. I figured I had better do some routine maintenance. I found a post LScowboyLS made in a similar thread and was hoping you all might be able to help me with some clarification. 
Thank you in advance! 
For anyone interested in the Part#'s I have been adding them as I find them. I am both a full-time college student and full-time worker. It might take me a couple weeks to finally get this all repaired as I work M-F 7-5pm, so most mechanics are closed when I have time off (the weekends) but I shall figure out a way to make it work 
This is my model based on my VIN#
1996 LEXUS LS400 (UCF20L-AEPGKA)
USA 1UZFE 4FC
I am not sure my vehicle was maintained thru a Lexus Dealership by the previous owner. Is there an option to look this up via registering on the website?
19101 1910150020 DISTRIBUTOR CAP SUB-ASSEMBLY 2
19102 1910250020 DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR SUB-ASSEMBLY 2
DENSO Part # 6718143 Spark Plug Wires
90919-01178-83 PLUG, SPARK
8942220010 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
90301-11016 RING, O
12204-50011 VALVE SUB-ASSY, VENT
90480-18001 GROMMET
90467-15021 CLIP
17801-50010 ELEMENT SUB-ASSY, AI Air Filter
DENSO Part # 4531008 **#8713950010, 87139YZZ02} Carbon Filter
23300-50060 FILTER ASSY, FUEL Filter
48674-40051 CUSHION, STRUT BAR
Ordered all the appropriate capacitors, will have a technician install them soon
Pennzoil Ultra
Motorcraft FL400S Silicone Valve Oil Filter
12101A 9034112023 PLUG (FOR OIL PAN DRAIN)
90430-12031 GASKET OIL PAN
As far as transmission oil I was reading that Toyota Type T-IV had a different viscosity rating than Mobil 3309. Does Toyota's fluid have some additional additives that would make it 'better' than Mobil 3309 or other manufacture approved JWS 3309?
08886-81015 ATF TYPE T-4 (4 LIT
9034110011 DRAIN (TAM) PLUG SUB-ASSEMBLY
3517830010 DRAIN PLUG (TAM) GASKET
35330-50010 STRAINER ASSY, OIL
1237150060 MOUNT, TRANSMISSION MOUNTING, REAR NO.1
What grade/weight is recommended?
77310-12140 CAP ASSY, FUEL TANK
16401-50071 CAP SUB-ASSY,RADIATO
90982-05037 TERMINAL ASSY, BATTE
0916-02405 BELT, V-RIBBED
04465-50070 PAD KIT, DISC BRAKE
Tie rod ends??
Thank you in advance! For anyone interested in the Part#'s I have been adding them as I find them. I am both a full-time college student and full-time worker. It might take me a couple weeks to finally get this all repaired as I work M-F 7-5pm, so most mechanics are closed when I have time off (the weekends) but I shall figure out a way to make it work This is my model based on my VIN#
1996 LEXUS LS400 (UCF20L-AEPGKA)
USA 1UZFE 4FC
19102 1910250020 DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR SUB-ASSEMBLY 2
DENSO Part # 6718143 Spark Plug Wires
90919-01178-83 PLUG, SPARK
90480-18001 GROMMET
90467-15021 CLIP
17801-50010 ELEMENT SUB-ASSY, AI Air Filter
DENSO Part # 4531008 **#8713950010, 87139YZZ02} Carbon Filter
23300-50060 FILTER ASSY, FUEL Filter
48674-40051 CUSHION, STRUT BAR
● ECU capacitors (future very likely problem area and you get free low end power now and even nicer shifting)
Motorcraft FL400S Silicone Valve Oil Filter
12101A 9034112023 PLUG (FOR OIL PAN DRAIN)
90430-12031 GASKET OIL PAN
08886-81015 ATF TYPE T-4 (4 LIT
9034110011 DRAIN (TAM) PLUG SUB-ASSEMBLY
3517830010 DRAIN PLUG (TAM) GASKET
35330-50010 STRAINER ASSY, OIL
1237150060 MOUNT, TRANSMISSION MOUNTING, REAR NO.1
What grade/weight is recommended?
16401-50071 CAP SUB-ASSY,RADIATO
90982-05037 TERMINAL ASSY, BATTE
04465-50070 PAD KIT, DISC BRAKE
if you do these things, the power will be back, and you will have a reliable daily driver!
genuine Toyota parts are available online for ~25% discount from online dealerships such as Lexus of South Atlanta, Park Place Lexus, Lexus Parts Now, Sewell Lexus, etc.)
on outer tie rod ends, the Toyota ones are cheap enough at discount to go ahead and use those, on inner tie rods ends, I would probably save the money over the very pricey factory parts and use Raybestos Pro or possibly Beck-Arnley
genuine Toyota parts are available online for ~25% discount from online dealerships such as Lexus of South Atlanta, Park Place Lexus, Lexus Parts Now, Sewell Lexus, etc.)
on outer tie rod ends, the Toyota ones are cheap enough at discount to go ahead and use those, on inner tie rods ends, I would probably save the money over the very pricey factory parts and use Raybestos Pro or possibly Beck-Arnley
Last edited by BeLSNow111; 02-03-14 at 08:20 AM.
01-28-14, 01:38 PM
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One last thing. Is there a part # for the CD Magazine Changer for the in-dash CD Player?
EDIT: Found it! Thanks to some help from YoshiMan
86273-50050 MAGAZINE, DISC PLAYE
EDIT: Found it! Thanks to some help from YoshiMan
86273-50050 MAGAZINE, DISC PLAYE
Last edited by BeLSNow111; 02-03-14 at 08:20 AM.
01-29-14, 08:49 AM
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In the picture attached, I am missing the **** to adjust the back lighting for the instrument cluster and cover for my truck switch, the actual trunk switch is still there and operational. Anyone have an idea where I may find these? I am going to make a trip to the junk yard this weekend if all else fails.
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01-29-14, 11:53 AM
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Lexus Champion
I have always avoided Pennzoil. I was informed that they used waxes in the oil to help "seal" the engine. I am assuming this must only be in their lower grade oils.
Neither Pennzoil, nor any other major oil company, has ever used wax in any of their oils - this is a hoax
In fact, by avoiding Pennzoil, you have been avoiding some of the best oils ever made - now that we have the modern benefit of UOA (used oil analysis) and NOA (new oil analysis) - we now find that good old Pennzoil "yellow bottle" was/is likely the best conventional oil ever made, and Pennzoil Ultra, a lot of oil gurus would argue, is the best synthetic made! - and in 5W-30 for oil cars, there is nothing that can touch it!
I would take Pennzoil Ultra over Royal Purple, even if the RP were cheaper than the Ultra!
here you can see new oil test results by the non-profit Petroleum Quality Institute.
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 01-29-14 at 03:20 PM.
01-29-14, 03:09 PM
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I am glad to have that cleared up. I understand what all of those elements are but I am not certain how that relates to an engine? Hwo do you interpret Oil Analysis Results?
01-30-14, 08:52 AM
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Pennzoil Ultra it is. Ultra's NOACK is superior to RP. The viscosity is higher on RP but the cold start viscosity of Ultra and slower degradation (low NOACK) seems to outweigh the RP higher viscosity. Since my car is of the higher millage variety might it benefit if I went to a higher oil grade? I'm not sure jumping up to 5W-40 form 5W-30 is such a good idea? I know mixing 5W-30 & 5W-40 is a terrible idea so that is out of the question. My millage is nearing 219K.
01-30-14, 10:50 AM
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5W-30 or 0W-30 is best for your LS400 - avoid 10W-40, 5W-40, 10W-40, 20W-50 etc.
to understand why, please go to Motor Oil University and read Motor Oil 101
to understand why, please go to Motor Oil University and read Motor Oil 101
The greatest confusion is because of the way motor oils are labeled. It is an old system and is confusing to many people. I know the person is confused when they say that a 0W-30 oil is too thin for their engine because the old manual says to use 10W-30. This is wrong.
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 01-30-14 at 10:58 AM.