Coolant spraying in engine bay

[IS220dAli]

Hi guys, I am new to this site. 

I have an is220d 2008 with 138k miles that has had a new radiator, waterpump, radiator cap, and drive belt 2 weeks ago. 

There was no issue with the car other than coolant was being sprayed over the engine bay after driving resulting in loss of coolant in the expansion tank. 

No overheating or poor running of the car. In fact it drives great. 

However, after all the work done above, it is still doing the same. 

 

Can anyone help me? Have already spent £500 on this issue. 

[olliesgrandad]

Sorry to hear of your woes.

First question. Who did the diagnosis and repair? 

If it was a garage then it needs to go back for them to sort it. 

Secondly, where is the coolant spraying from? 

[steve2006]

Unfortunately it does sound like the infamous Head Gasket failure, was this a DIY repair or garage?

The head gasket fails and this allows combustion products ( exhaust gases) to enter the cooling system which in turn over pressurises and finally results in the coolant being blown out the expansion reservoir. Normal test procedure is to insert an exhaust gas analyser probe in the empty reservoir to see if exhaust gases are present, a cylinder compression test or a cylinder pressure check.

[Texas]

Gotta agree with above, looks like all/any of those parts were Not responsible for your symptoms and it does indeed sound to be the very common head gasket failure ( coolant system getting pressurised from combustion cylinders)

[IS220dAli]

Thank you all guys. 

Yes it's sounding more and more like the dreaded news... The head gasket. 

Wish the mechanic had picked this up before unnecessarily changing out all the bits. 

The car is running great right now but I suspect it will start becoming problematic. 

I have to work out what to do now. 

I will certainly not be selling it on for someone else to deal with the headache. 

Not sure how long it may go if I run it to the ground. 

Quite disheartening as it suited me fine doing 30 miles a day. 

[JamesIS220]

Mine did the same.

Started loosing coolant around 0.5 litre in around 150 miles. Gradually got worse and worse and started to pressurise and bubble up and out the coolant reservoir vent and get sprayed around by the electric cooling fan. Never overheated as kept topping up. Found you got no heater if low of coolant. Ran faultless, but water spitting out of exhaust. 

After around 2 months undriveable as pouring out quicker than pouring in. Tried k seal as nothing to lose and it didn't work.

Listed a totally honest eBay add and finally after 2 auction style finally  sold it by a classified add  with best offer for £350. Listed £375.00

The buyer was using some parts and scrapping the rest. Its probably crushed now!

I got 19 months out of it and 13,000miles. Scrapped at 187,000 miles. It has been my worst car. Cost me £1,475.00, plus tyres, AC condenser. The is220 is nice, but not engine, turbo lag or gearbox. Should of got IS250.

Now have a 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid estate. My most expensive car. Loving the economy. £0 road tax and its comfortable.

James.

[IS220dAli]

Thanks James for your case study.

I am considering using a seal product just to chance some success. 

I got it a year ago and it has cost me 2500. Will be gutted. 

Oh well. You win some and you lose some. 

If it does die, I will be looking to strip it as much as poss including the 18" alloys with brand new tyres. 

Wish the mechanic had picked this up before charging me 500 for new radiator and waterpump. 

Heard great thing about the Auris hybrid. Sounds like you got a good car. Wishing you all the best with it. 

[The-Acre]

5 hours ago, IS220dAli said:

Thanks James for your case study.

I am considering using a seal product just to chance some success. 

I got it a year ago and it has cost me 2500. Will be gutted. 

Oh well. You win some and you lose some. 

If it does die, I will be looking to strip it as much as poss including the 18" alloys with brand new tyres. 

Wish the mechanic had picked this up before charging me 500 for new radiator and waterpump. 

Heard great thing about the Auris hybrid. Sounds like you got a good car. Wishing you all the best with it. 

Such a shame that Lexus made such a duff engine.  Someone said it's the same engine as the Avensis but there seems to be plenty of those around.  Anyway, good on you for saying you won't sell it on to someone else to have the problem!

[JamesIS220]

On 3/5/2020 at 1:20 AM, IS220dAli said:

Thanks James for your case study.

I am considering using a seal product just to chance some success. 

I got it a year ago and it has cost me 2500. Will be gutted. 

Oh well. You win some and you lose some. 

If it does die, I will be looking to strip it as much as poss including the 18" alloys with brand new tyres. 

Wish the mechanic had picked this up before charging me 500 for new radiator and waterpump. 

Heard great thing about the Auris hybrid. Sounds like you got a good car. Wishing you all the best with it. 

Hope the sealer works for you. If you can get another year great.

If not breaking the useful bits will help.

Hope it works out for you.

James.

[JamesIS220]

On 3/5/2020 at 7:20 AM, The-Acre said:

Such a shame that Lexus made such a duff engine.  Someone said it's the same engine as the Avensis but there seems to be plenty of those around.  Anyway, good on you for saying you won't sell it on to someone else to have the problem!

The IS 220D is great apart from rubbish engine, only 40mpg max for me. Gearing oddities and turbo lag! Build quality, styling, comfort, safety all great.

James.