Radiator replaced, word of warning

The-Acre · May 11, 2016

During the Bank Holiday there was 25% off everything online at Eurocarparts so I bought a radiator and fitted it today. A word of warning though. If you're going to do the same at some time, make sure you replace the rubber hoses from the transmission at the same time. One of mine had a split that was clearly a disaster just waiting to happen, see how bad it was in the photo.

The other thing I'm not sure about, although I did the same to my last LS430, is the way the new ones (unless you buy from a main dealer) doesn't have the hose connection at the end to join it to the expansion tank. On the original one the plastic pipe that comes out just below the rad filler cap is blanked, but on the new one it's open. So all I did was get a longer piece of hose and connected it from the expansion tank to the open pipe by the filler. I'm sure that doesn't make much sense reading it but maybe the photos will help. Having said all that I had it running for 15 mins and drove the 6 miles home and the temp gauge stayed in its normal position.

So what I don't really understand is why the new ones don't have the original configuration. Any thoughts?

The-Acre · May 11, 2016

41 minutes ago, piasek said:

Was it very difficult to change the radiator? Does this include coolant and atf change? Do you know how much does the dealer charge for it?

I don't know how much a main dealer radiator is but I seem to remember someone saying £350? It's very easy but the hardest part for some reason is getting the small hoses to separate from the transmission pipe. The thing is, if you change those hoses as well, which I certainly recommend, you can just cut them and put the new ones on the new rad before you fit it. Basically you drain the coolant (I let mine go as I wanted to refill with new) remove the air filter housing (just two bolts) take off the top air intake ducting, disconnect the bottom hose from the thermostat housing (leaving it on the radiator) disconnect top hose from rad, disconnect the fan motors power plug, remove the two top radiator clamps and it just lifts out. You only loose a tiny amount of ATF.

Then you can undo the 10mm bolts that hold the fan assembly and put on the new. The bottom hose and new ATF hoses can then be put on before the new rad is replaced

I also recommend making sure the water is all drained before cutting/disconnecting the ATF hoses, just to avoid letting any coolant in. This photo is with the hoses and fans all connected to the new rad just before re-installation. The other thing worth a mention is that all this can be done from above, without the need to remove the under tray. The other thing you need is 600mm of 8mm hose to join the new rad to the 10mm hose from the expansion tank, plus an 8-10mm connector which you can get on eBay for £5

Just remember to disconnect the Battery earth before starting the job!!

As I said, I did this to my last LS430 and covered about 3K and all was fine.

The-Acre · May 11, 2016

25 minutes ago, piasek said:

Sound like easy enough to diy. I might try to attempt this as replacing radiator isnon my "to do" list. Just make me wonder how much of ATF stays in the old radiator.

The cooler is not that big and I would estimate that you only need to replace about a quater of a litre at the most, probably a lot less. It doesn't come out of the transmission when you disconnect as its not pumping. You can by a litre bottle of Mobil (compatible with Toyota Type 1V) for about £13. I can't remember which Mobil as I left it at work, but do a search and you'll find it here, or I'll check tomorrow if you need to know.

runsgrateasanut · May 11, 2016

What ATF hose did you buy? Was it 10mm which I've found impossible to source via t'bay. Or did you but from Lexus the official hose which for my car is if I remember over £70 for the equivalent of a metre?

GrahamG · May 11, 2016

Phil, many thanks for all your information especially taking the trouble to provide photos.

I bet you are pleased with yourself after seeing the split ATF pipes, what a save!

Have just heard from an American owner who replaced his rad because it had split along the top. What he described as a common occurrence. Not relevant to the ATF cooling but all the more reason to renew the rad.

Which make of radiator did you buy from Europarts? If the Lexus [Denso] original is liable to fail perhaps there is little point paying £280 odd for the original equipment. There seems plenty of choice at about £120 including one from Denso.

cruisermark · May 12, 2016

mine look similar - i shall be doing mine aswell once i have decided which radiator to go for

cruisermark · May 12, 2016

hi

phil did you use red or pink coolant - and how much is required please

The-Acre · May 12, 2016

3 hours ago, piasek said:

That's how my radiator is looking at the moment. Obviously I don't know what's going on inside so definitely will be replaced this year. Better be safe than sorry.

The photos you've posted are actually your ac condenser, the radiator sits behind it. To answer some questions, I used 10mm fuel hose which I'm told is fine, but I was told not to use water hose of any kind. It's easily obtained from a decent parts outfit. The radiator is a Koyo, they claim it's as good, if not better than the original quality (but then they would) I used red coolant, £25 from Toyota for 5 litres, ready to use (pre mixed) and I did ask when I was there just to make absolutely sure. They said they only sell concentrate in 25 litres drums and the one I bought goes straight in as it is. I used about 4.5 litres. The foam that sits between the condenser and the radiator always disintegrates so I just discarded it. If you're not happy with using a radiator that needs a slight modification or atf hoses that are slightly stiffer than the originals, best to go to a main dealer. As I said, I did the same to my last one, using the same parts, did various journeys through stop start London traffic and all was fine. One other bit of info, I phoned Lexus Guildford where my car has been serviced for the past eleven years, I spoke to a very helpful technician regarding coolant colour. He said Lexus use red coolant for cars up to 2007 after that its pink.

The-Acre · May 12, 2016

31 minutes ago, piasek said:

You learn someting new everyday ;) I will ask Lexus Guildford how much they want for it and maybe do it along with the service.

I serviced all my VAG cars myself but for some reason I'm afraid to do the same with Lexus. By reading this forum I noticed that in case of selling the car (which I'm not planning anytime soon) new potential owners like to have all the stamps and receipts from Lexus dealer only.

The condenser thing fools almost everyone! It's true that a full main dealer history is preferred but none of my three previous ones had it and they were OK. Although saying that, my current one has full main dealer history and it is noticeable I think, it just feels and looks well maintained. Just to reiterate, replacing the radiator is easy and certainly nothing really challenging. The hardest part as I said is removing the hoses from the metal transmission pipes, but if you're replacing them you just cut them and then they're easy to deal with when the rad is out.

GrahamG · May 13, 2016

Phil, may I ask if the original Lexus ATF pipes are formed to a shape or do they use tube straight off the roll? If the latter then not much point paying Lexus prices.

Did you consider renewing the the large water coolant hoses to and from the rad?

Is it worth renewing the thermostat at the same time as it is quite a cheap item?

Sorry for the questions but you are now the expert.

The-Acre · May 14, 2016

18 hours ago, GrahamG said:

Phil, may I ask if the original Lexus ATF pipes are formed to a shape or do they use tube straight off the roll? If the latter then not much point paying Lexus prices.

Did you consider renewing the the large water coolant hoses to and from the rad?

Is it worth renewing the thermostat at the same time as it is quite a cheap item?

Sorry for the questions but you are now the expert.

I wish I was an expert! As far as I'm aware the hoses aren't shaped, in fact the one on the left as you look down is only short and almost straight. The other one has a gentle "S" bend but I doubt very much that it was shaped. The original top and bottom hoses seemed fine, no signs of cracking etc. I didn't think about the thermostat as they are pretty reliable, also it's an easy hose to remove should the need arise at a later date. The main thing is to fit everything to the new radiator before it goes back, unless the job is done with the bottom under tray ( I've forgotten the correct name for it) removed, in which case everything can be connected afterwards. Obviously if it is removed it makes it easy to catch any escaping TF but the amount lost really is very small, probably an egg cup full. Another small amount will be lost when the rad is removed but that can be plugged up first.

The hose I bought for the ATF pipes is fuel hose that says on it "suitable for unleaded fuel" I'm told this will be fine for ATF.

Colin M · May 17, 2016

I needed some 10mm flexible hose last year when I was replacing the metal pipes that run in front of the radiator on one of my Mk3 LS400s. I initially went to Lexus to buy the two short connecting flexible hoses I needed only to find that they were part of the upper metal pipework assembly that connects to the power steering pump and could not be purchased separately.

I looked around online for a power steering specialist to see if I could buy some 10mm flexible hose and found some at www.powersteeringstore.co.uk

I could not see any on their website but rang their contact number (07917 697262) and they were able to supply me with some at a very reasonable price - I cannot remember the exact price but it was less than £10 for a metre. I did go over to collect the hose, as I was going over to near where they are located, but I imagine they would do mail order.

I have posted up a photo of the section of the hose that I have left over which has some specification details on it.

Hope this helps if anyone is looking for any PS hose in future.

The-Acre · May 17, 2016

1 hour ago, Colin M said:

I needed some 10mm flexible hose last year when I was replacing the metal pipes that run in front of the radiator on one of my Mk3 LS400s. I initially went to Lexus to buy the two short connecting flexible hoses I needed only to find that they were part of the upper metal pipework assembly that connects to the power steering pump and could not be purchased separately.

I looked around online for a power steering specialist to see if I could buy some 10mm flexible hose and found some at www.powersteeringstore.co.uk

I could not see any on their website but rang their contact number (07917 697262) and they were able to supply me with some at a very reasonable price - I cannot remember the exact price but it was less than £10 for a metre. I did go over to collect the hose, as I was going over to near where they are located, but I imagine they would do mail order.

I have posted up a photo of the section of the hose that I have left over which has some specification details on it.

Hope this helps if anyone is looking for any PS hose in future.

Well done Colin, that says all you would need to know on it. We have one of those rare parts suppliers here in West Sussex called Going Spare, they have endless rolls of pipes and hoses. One of those shops where every square inch is taken with stock, and very knowledgeable, so I suppose we're lucky in that respect.

Colin M · May 17, 2016

Thanks, Phil. The Power Steering Store is very much an 'old school' type of operation - a couple of guys working out of one of three units in a converted barn on a farm. There was a lot of pipework taking up most of the available space in the unit. I got the impression that if anyone needed any bespoke pipework making up this would be a good place to try. The guys were very friendly and helpful and I would certainly contact them again if I needed anything for power steering.

Malc · May 18, 2016

.... somewhere on here is my thread from a year or two ago when I had a catastrophic power steering pipe network collapse and I explained there how absolutely all that complex pipework down to the cooler pipework in front of the radiator ( now copper tubing ) was replaced in quite simple flexi hose and clips

Steve 2006 kindly showed an exploded diagram of the OEM network of steel pipework that Lexus wanted £££ two arms and two legs for ( as for the cooler pipes in front too )

Malc

The-Acre · May 18, 2016

39 minutes ago, Malc said:

.... somewhere on here is my thread from a year or two ago when I had a catastrophic power steering pipe network collapse and I explained there how absolutely all that complex pipework down to the cooler pipework in front of the radiator ( now copper tubing ) was replaced in quite simple flexi hose and clips

Steve 2006 kindly showed an exploded diagram of the OEM network of steel pipework that Lexus wanted £££ two arms and two legs for ( as for the cooler pipes in front too )

Malc

That's the value of these forums isn't it? Gathering information that saves money, and in some cases lots of money!

ColinBarber · May 18, 2016

10 hours ago, Malc said:

.... somewhere on here is my thread from a year or two ago when I had a catastrophic power steering pipe network collapse and I explained there how absolutely all that complex pipework down to the cooler pipework in front of the radiator ( now copper tubing ) was replaced in quite simple flexi hose and clips

Steve 2006 kindly showed an exploded diagram of the OEM network of steel pipework that Lexus wanted £££ two arms and two legs for ( as for the cooler pipes in front too )

Malc

RgrWynne · May 19, 2016

If you are near to a Pirtek depot, they remanufacture power steering hoses and any fluid transfer hose by reusing your original part and replacing the hose at a fraction of the manufacturers cost.

genius149 · January 8, 2020

Arise! Arise! oh thread from the dead.

I've just replaced my radiator after the nipple that connects to the expansion tank snapped off. This thread was a great help (should be a sticky really). I struggled with two things though...

Firstly, I replaced the ATF hoses as I had to cut the old ones off - they were an absolute bugger to get back on the pipes on the gearbox. The other problem was the big clips on the big hoses - one of them was fine because I used a big jubilee clip instead of the clamp type one. The other was too big for my pliers after it had been slid down the pipe when I removed it. It took me ages to work out that my much-battered and abused mole grips were big enough to grip the clamp so that I could move it back to the correct position. Losing one of the nuts that holds the clamps down didn't help 🤬 but a replacement is easily found at work.

I reckon this job would've been a lot easier in Summer!