overheating IS 220D Overheating and spraying water over engine

[JoshMaffers]

Hello guys, hopefully I have posted this in the right location.

I have a Lexus is220d, when driving after about 30 minuets or so, or after high engine revs the temperature gage rises and shows that the car hot. After about 30 seconds it then drops down to the normal temperature again. However after 1-2 hours of driving the temperature then rises and very rarely drops, when it does drop it is only very slightly. When I checked, the engine water had sprayed all over the top of the engine from the water reservoir and there was no water left in the reservoir. Also checking the water that had sprayed on the engine, it is not oily. I am having to top the water up every day, sometimes twice a day. When the temperature is normal the heating in the car works, but when the temperature rises the heating goes cold, even on max temperature. The engine runs perfectly and when opening the oil cap it is not grimy and it is clean. Finally when opening the reservoir cap to fill it, the pressure is being releases causing the reservoir to fill with the water again and spray out of the overflow pipe.

I have seen some people mention that it could be the head gasket, however a mechanic mentioned it sounds more like the thermostat, any ideas? 

I have ordered a thermostat and I will replace that, however I can't find anywhere the actual location of the thermost. All of the guides are for the 250, which is different and it is not in the usual simple location, at the top of the engine. If anyone could point me in the right direction of that, it would be extremely helpful as well!

[peachy]

Sorry to say but it's highly unlikely the thermostatic is the problem here. Pressure in the system and spraying coolant means only one thing.  Head gasket failing. 

I had exactly the same symptoms myself when I owned the diesel and had to have the head gasket replaced.  Luckily I have a mechanic mate who did this on the cheap but still cost me hundreds.  Lexus will charge you thousands. 

Unfortunately this is a very common problem on the is220d.  I really hope I'm wrong and it is the thermostat. 

Let us know what happens. 

[Shahpor]

I am afraid I agree with Shaun in that it sounds like you have a pressurised cooling system.  Typically this means the water channel part of the head gasket has failed and is allowing combustion gases into the cooling system.

At this point I suppose there is no harm in changing the thermostat, which annoyingly is not in the easiest place to get to:

As you can see, it is next to the inlet manifold on the right hand side of the engine when standing at the front of the car.

By the way, it should be easy for your mechanic to determine if the gasket has failed by performing a 'sniff' test.  The equipment to do the test is cheap and it is easy to do.

[JoshMaffers]

Thank you for the quick responses. I do also fear that it is the head gasket, because of what I have seen on forums. I am going to replace the thermostat Saturday, if the weather holds up. Thank you the instructions, that is a massive help. I will let you know how it goes.

[Attila]

On 8/31/2017 at 12:15 PM, JoshMaffers said:

Thank you for the quick responses. I do also fear that it is the head gasket, because of what I have seen on forums. I am going to replace the thermostat Saturday, if the weather holds up. Thank you the instructions, that is a massive help. I will let you know how it goes.

Hello my friend! After you were change the thermostat,the car was better,or the cylinder head gasket was the problem?

[Texas]

Sorry to say but I think you will find that the above is over 2 years ago and 'JoshMaffers' only posted 2 times and I expect that the IS220 is long dead and it was very prob the head gasket!

[JamesIS220]

Deleted. old post.

[Christospourtoulides2001]

On 1/23/2020 at 11:42 PM, Texas said:

Sorry to say but I think you will find that the above is over 2 years ago and 'JoshMaffers' only posted 2 times and I expect that the IS220 is long dead and it was very prob the head gasket!

good evening, I have exactly the same problem, my temperature rises only after 140 km/h and drops in seconds, do you know where the problem is and is there a solution?? thank you very much in advance

[Adam966]

On 1/1/2024 at 8:42 PM, Christospourtoulides2001 said:

good evening, I have exactly the same problem, my temperature rises only after 140 km/h and drops in seconds, do you know where the problem is and is there a solution?? thank you very much in advance

hi bro,

I habe the same problem. Did you find your solution?