dicer

Also what are the difference between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 engines besides Cr and interference?
Are the timing belt kits / water pump etc all interchangeable? How about the capacitor problems with the first gen's is that an issue with the 2nd gens?

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

read:
http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html

gen1 (90-94) and gen2 (95-97) TB kits differ from each other. gen2.5 (98-00) also differ from those two!

capacitor problems plague all generations up to 2000, but the 90-94 are most common especially in high humidity areas. they are less and less common as the model year gets newer.

i have a 97 and have never done my capacitors though my car runs just fine at 156k.

cgawelko

'95 suffers from the most ECU failure honestly, But the 89-94 is the most durable, can beat the crap out of those a lot more than the Gen2 stuff. Pretty much ALL Ls400s have the same issues.

YoshiMan

+1

All the problems with the second gen cars that came to mind, seem to effect ALL the LS400s

dicer

Timing belt kits from Rock Auto show the kit is for 90 to 97, there is no offering for one or the other, all one part number.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

then don't buy them.

Aisin sells the correct kits, use their site to get the right part number.
Or buy OEM.

Mugen_1

The only problem my '97 had was the power steering pump leaking fluid onto the alternator and subsequently killing said alternator. Remanufactured pumps can be had much cheaper than new and this problem isn't uncommon with these cars.

I've had mine since 2008 and started with about 85K miles and it rolled over 206K yesterday. It's been through two of the most expensive service procedures (90K maintenance interval) and the car has been all but bulletproof with just oil changes/tires/brake pads & rotors (routine maintenance stuff).

dicer

What expensive procedures? T-belt and what else?

RugbyDad

I think he means he did 2 tb replacements.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I agree but maybe he put a new starter in it..... that will get your attention if you go with a new one

Mugen_1

Sorry, should have clarified: timing belt, water pump, caps/rotors/distributors, spark plugs, etc...whatever is included in the 90K service interval. The parts can be had for around $300 on eBay in a kit from Aisin (all OEM) but it's the labor that kills (if you can't do it yourself). I spent about $700 on labor with a local trusted mechanic (also changed rear diff fluid and valve cover gaskets) and that was much cheaper than the Toyota stealership.

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

No, 89-94 have the worst ECU failure rates progressively getting better into the 98-00 which only seem to be problematic in hot and humid climates.

Don't know where you are getting your info from, the older stuff is not more durable than the newer stuff. Considering they can all go 500k miles with basic routine maintenance, there really is no foundation for such a statement.


maybe if you are boosting the engine, but that's 1 in 100,000 LS owners at best!
That a also is more of a matter of the tuner and idiot behind the wheel than it is with engine durability.

cgawelko

Im not at liberty to say

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

Then people should disregard what you say!

Can

Since you're in the same Gen as mine, here are the things you should look out for in a 95-97 LS400 :

a) Starter , ( it's not IF it has been replaced, it's WHEN it has been replaced )
b) Power Steering Pump / PS-Air Control Valve leak. It's a 100$ part in the PS , and it leaks PS fluid, on the Alternator, hence killing the alternator.
c) Timing belt, but almost all cars pre 2001 have this maintenance required.