Hello LS forum, 92' LS4 on craiglist and I bought it.
#1
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I would first off by saying hello to fellow CL'ers. I am a current member on the 2nd Gen GS board. Like the rest of us, I recently had been cruising craigslist for a Supra LSD, and as everyone knows there is almost nothing but junk on there. However, I found a LS400 for $700, less than a mile away from me. I clicked on it, and it was a 92' White LS400, Grey interior, nothing special.
The problems are...
It needs a head gasket,
power steering leaks (bad),
an exhaust leak,
pass front window regulator,
and the ODO stopped working at 88k in around 2003-04'.
So I asked him how much he was asking to get for it, and he said he could go as low as $400, otherwise he would sell it for parts. SOOOO, I pulled the trigger. I am a current owner of a UCF11. It is a 1992 Lexus LS400, White with Grey leather. All the basics, sunroof, cd changer, power seats, etc. I did buy it knowing that I would have to replace a good number of parts in it, but come on $400!! Let me know what you think....
My new baby.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1912.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1913.jpg)
Don't look directly into the dent on the bumper, as it might cause severe injury and or death.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1914.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1915.jpg)
The front and rear bumpers are showing their age, but the those can wait.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1916.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1917.jpg)
Interior has some wear, but I'm thinking 430 seats and wheel shall take care of any doubters. And the Power steering fluid FTW
!!!
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1918.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1932.jpg)
The problems are...
It needs a head gasket,
power steering leaks (bad),
an exhaust leak,
pass front window regulator,
and the ODO stopped working at 88k in around 2003-04'.
So I asked him how much he was asking to get for it, and he said he could go as low as $400, otherwise he would sell it for parts. SOOOO, I pulled the trigger. I am a current owner of a UCF11. It is a 1992 Lexus LS400, White with Grey leather. All the basics, sunroof, cd changer, power seats, etc. I did buy it knowing that I would have to replace a good number of parts in it, but come on $400!! Let me know what you think....
My new baby.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1912.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1913.jpg)
Don't look directly into the dent on the bumper, as it might cause severe injury and or death.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1914.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1915.jpg)
The front and rear bumpers are showing their age, but the those can wait.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1916.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1917.jpg)
Interior has some wear, but I'm thinking 430 seats and wheel shall take care of any doubters. And the Power steering fluid FTW
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1918.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1932.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1921.jpg)
#2
Instructor
Thread Starter
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Dash is a little rough, is this common?
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1919.jpg)
88 Thousand miles.... Just Kidding! He said the ODO stopped workin in 03-04, so maybe 150k+, This just makes it easier to just but a new cluster.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1920.jpg)
I ****in' hate cigerette smokers.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1922.jpg)
Did anyone say airbag?
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1923.jpg)
Passanger side is clean...
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1924.jpg)
Some rust, and I hate rust....
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1925.jpg)
The trunk and all of it's goodness, no more hauling car parts in my GS430.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1926.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1927.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1919.jpg)
88 Thousand miles.... Just Kidding! He said the ODO stopped workin in 03-04, so maybe 150k+, This just makes it easier to just but a new cluster.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1920.jpg)
I ****in' hate cigerette smokers.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1922.jpg)
Did anyone say airbag?
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1923.jpg)
Passanger side is clean...
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1924.jpg)
Some rust, and I hate rust....
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1925.jpg)
The trunk and all of it's goodness, no more hauling car parts in my GS430.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1926.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1927.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1928.jpg)
#3
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Thread Starter
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Funnel was probably for the PS fluid, and a misc. bracket was just laying the trunk.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1929.jpg)
Misc. Bracket? have something to do with the underneath engine cover, timing belt cover? Who knows, can't be to important.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1930.jpg)
Someone was messing around I bet...
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1931.jpg)
1UZFE FTW
.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1933.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1938.jpg)
Power steering fluid.....FTL...![Thumb Down](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1934.jpg)
I started the car to move it, it ran for 30 seconds. The fluid is just drippin off the resv.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1935.jpg)
PS fluid accumulation
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1929.jpg)
Misc. Bracket? have something to do with the underneath engine cover, timing belt cover? Who knows, can't be to important.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1930.jpg)
Someone was messing around I bet...
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1931.jpg)
1UZFE FTW
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1933.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1938.jpg)
Power steering fluid.....FTL...
![Thumb Down](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1934.jpg)
I started the car to move it, it ran for 30 seconds. The fluid is just drippin off the resv.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1935.jpg)
PS fluid accumulation
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1936.jpg)
Last edited by 3UZFTE; 04-04-09 at 06:43 PM.
#4
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Thread Starter
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![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1937.jpg)
Smokin'
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1939-1.jpg)
Instrument cluster is cracked, ODO stopped working, and the temp gauge doesn't work, although all the lights work!!
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1940.jpg)
I knew the LS burned power steering fluid, but damn! There was tons just laying in my intake, I was suprised there was any left in the pump.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1941.jpg)
Pulled my EGR off, and it looks like oil, but with the amount of PS fluid I saw, it could very well possibly be PS fluid.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1946.jpg)
Started the breakdown... Started by pulling small parts off the top to expose the greasy and oily underside. After a wash and light degrease.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1949.jpg)
Pulled the spark plugs to do compression testing. Numbers were between 180-240. Which is right at the 25% difference that is allowed. It is getting an upper rebuild anyways, just wanna make sure rings/shortblock are good.
Spark #1
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1951.jpg)
Spark #2
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1952.jpg)
#6
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And the damn 8th spark plug... I couldn't get the damn thing out, my socket was just spinning for days, cleared the oil out, and still nothing. There isn't a nut on the spark plug anymore..!!! WTF?!?!
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1962.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1963.jpg)
Thanks for coming to my thread. I am not even clost to being finished. As a matter of fact, I just bought it last night, and couldnt wait to tear it apart. I am going to do both head gaskets, replace other gasket (oil pan, valve cover, intake, TB, etc.), fix power steering pump/leak, fix exhaust leak, the gauge cluster (ODO, temp gauge, crack), passanger side window regulator, oh and DEF suspension, I don't know if there is any left. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have air suspension. In the meantime I am just trying to clean every thing I can, and replace anything that is in need.
I want to put 430 seats and wheels, seen it done. But I want to get this bad machine running like new, first. I also want to plan for forced induction, nothing beats a cheap budget build. But in the mean time, my buddies are chomping at bits to buy it once it gets running, not sure it will last to see FI...![Frown](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Hope you enjoyed. Comments welcomed. Happy to finally be a have a UCF.
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1962.jpg)
![](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg188/3uzfte/CIMG1963.jpg)
Thanks for coming to my thread. I am not even clost to being finished. As a matter of fact, I just bought it last night, and couldnt wait to tear it apart. I am going to do both head gaskets, replace other gasket (oil pan, valve cover, intake, TB, etc.), fix power steering pump/leak, fix exhaust leak, the gauge cluster (ODO, temp gauge, crack), passanger side window regulator, oh and DEF suspension, I don't know if there is any left. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have air suspension. In the meantime I am just trying to clean every thing I can, and replace anything that is in need.
I want to put 430 seats and wheels, seen it done. But I want to get this bad machine running like new, first. I also want to plan for forced induction, nothing beats a cheap budget build. But in the mean time, my buddies are chomping at bits to buy it once it gets running, not sure it will last to see FI...
![Frown](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Hope you enjoyed. Comments welcomed. Happy to finally be a have a UCF.
#7
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You might want to verify that the car actually has a blown head gasket. I picked up a LS4 with the same story but turned out to be a ignitor problem. For some reason it would smoke like a chimney when miss firing. Cant beat the price man... great deal.
Kruso
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#8
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so 700 dollars or 400 dollars you pay for? but either price still a good deal. good for you man. oh, i had the same problem with the rust underneath the door like yours, except that i fixed the rust problem on mine.
#9
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The car was listed at $700 obo. So I showed up, and as we all know, cash talks and bull**** walks. I asked him what he wanted for it, he replied 4. I jumped on it, drove it home, registered it in my name, and now have started to work on it. I have owned the car for about 28 hours now, the rust will be fixed along with everything else in due time, I find it hard to pull myself away from it, and all the info that has been provided as well as add the some future ones.
I was skeptical that it needed a head gasket, until I drove it. But man was there smoke on start up, and accel for sure... I floored it, and I think I left a quirt of oil in the air. There just seems to be compiling problems which makes it difficult to tell. That being said, I could a spark plug out, the head will need to come off, that being the case, just put a new gasket on both sides. I can afford for the car to sit around, I still have my GS430. This was just bought it for a project, something to do, and education, and maybe a temp. grocery getter.
I was skeptical that it needed a head gasket, until I drove it. But man was there smoke on start up, and accel for sure... I floored it, and I think I left a quirt of oil in the air. There just seems to be compiling problems which makes it difficult to tell. That being said, I could a spark plug out, the head will need to come off, that being the case, just put a new gasket on both sides. I can afford for the car to sit around, I still have my GS430. This was just bought it for a project, something to do, and education, and maybe a temp. grocery getter.
#11
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run a chem test on the coolant, if its an head gasket you'll know right away. more than likely iit needs new wires/plugs/distributor caps and rotors, as well as an ICV for the PS pump. also make sure you use normal dexron3/mercon trans fluid in the power steering, NOT POWER STEERING FLUID.
check the hoses leaving the pump for leaks, high pressure hose is a common one to go out.
welcome to the LS forum, given the price you paid it will likely be a bucket, but once you get it going, it will be a reliable bucket that won't die. you can try.
check the hoses leaving the pump for leaks, high pressure hose is a common one to go out.
welcome to the LS forum, given the price you paid it will likely be a bucket, but once you get it going, it will be a reliable bucket that won't die. you can try.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#15
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Thanks for all the helpful advice, and checking out my thread.
I did not know that, but now that it's been addressed they are bugging me. These will be rotated in due time, thanks again.
I did not know that, but now that it's been addressed they are bugging me. These will be rotated in due time, thanks again.