Radiator and water pump replacement due?

[Rich1988]

Hi guys I’m picking up my ISF Saturday but there is no record of a replacement rad or water pump. It’s done 101500 miles with full Lexus history and last serviced at 99,300.

The whole radiator and atf issue is something I’ve found while researching after I’d agreed to buy the car.  It’s now on my mind and I don’t know if I’m being a bit paranoid that something catastrophic is going to happen to it. 
 

What I’m asking is “Is that common for a Lexus to fail in such a way?”

I will probably look at getting the Rad and pump done but won’t be for a couple of months. 
 

Cheers 

Rich 

 

[mr_s81]

Hi,

I did it when I bought my ISF last year. There were no signs of anything amiss, but given the issue appears to occur within the radiator and can fail without any visible issue on the outside, I didn't want to run the risk. From what I can glean, it's not that common, but I decided it wasn't worth the risk for the sake of a few hundred quid on parts.

I did mine DIY as I like fettling and it reduces costs! There are guides online and it doesn't require any specialist tools. A decent indie garage could carry out the work without going near Lexus main dealers.

It's like anything. You pay your money, you take your chances. I wasn't prepared to risk a leak developing and ruining the transmission for the sake of a reasonable outlay and a few hours time.

Ian

[H3XME]

14 minutes ago, Rich1988 said:

Hi guys I’m picking up my ISF Saturday but there is no record of a replacement rad or water pump. It’s done 101500 miles with full Lexus history and last serviced at 99,300.

The whole radiator and atf issue is something I’ve found while researching after I’d agreed to buy the car.  It’s now on my mind and I don’t know if I’m being a bit paranoid that something catastrophic is going to happen to it. 
 

What I’m asking is “Is that common for a Lexus to fail in such a way?”

I will probably look at getting the Rad and pump done but won’t be for a couple of months. 
 

Cheers 

Rich 

 

I don't have an ISF but it's not something I've heard to be a common issue.. if something does go wrong, you'll notice straight away since the water temp gauge will spike, so you won't cause any damage to the engine unless you carry on driving like that.. if you can justify spending the money on something that might eventually go wrong, sure do it, but like I always say.. if it's not broken, don't fix it.

[hockeyedwards]

Whilst I don't think it is 'common', I think it is something that has happened a few times due to the design. I believe a few members have done it as mentioned above as a preventative measure, hopefully a few more will comment.

Whilst you ponder on it, get some quotes and then decide if you want to get it done or DIY it 🙂

[Twellsie]

1 hour ago, H3XME said:

I don't have an ISF but it's not something I've heard to be a common issue.. if something does go wrong, you'll notice straight away since the water temp gauge will spike, so you won't cause any damage to the engine unless you carry on driving like that.. if you can justify spending the money on something that might eventually go wrong, sure do it, but like I always say.. if it's not broken, don't fix it.

its not just a case of the engine loosing cooling, the coolant gets into the gearbox and can ruin the solenoids, mine did fail with no prior warning, just all of a sudden wasnt shifting gears, pulled over immediately and emptied the contents of the coolant system over the road 

[Rich1988]

4 minutes ago, Twellsie said:

its not just a case of the engine loosing cooling, the coolant gets into the gearbox and can ruin the solenoids, mine did fail with no prior warning, just all of a sudden wasnt shifting gears, pulled over immediately and emptied the contents of the coolant system over the road 

Where did yours lose its coolant from? 

[Malc]

common enuf on the Ls430 and Ls460 ...  corrosion in the pipework linking rad and coolant and gearbox ........... destroys the gearbox ....  10 years and/or 100k miles is the timing on these models for sure to change the rad

Malc

[PRT68]

3 hours ago, H3XME said:

I don't have an ISF but it's not something I've heard to be a common issue.. if something does go wrong, you'll notice straight away since the water temp gauge will spike, so you won't cause any damage to the engine unless you carry on driving like that.. if you can justify spending the money on something that might eventually go wrong, sure do it, but like I always say.. if it's not broken, don't fix it.

This is such bad advice. It is well documented that this can be an expensive problem, and can be avoided by replacing the radiator etc as others have done.

Stick to slagging off the Rc300h!!!!

[H3XME]

3 minutes ago, PRT68 said:

This is such bad advice. It is well documented that this can be an expensive problem, and can be avoided by replacing the radiator etc as others have done.

Stick to slagging off the Rc300h!!!!

aww, don't tell me you're still salty over one honest review😂

[PRT68]

8 minutes ago, H3XME said:

aww, don't tell me you're still salty over one honest review😂

No, I'm not salty, but I can go over speed bumps at the posted speed limit without slowing down....

[H3XME]

5 minutes ago, PRT68 said:

I can go over speed bumps at the posted speed limit without slowing down....

The lack of mechanical sympathy in this statement pains me. Regardless of ride height & clearance, going over a speed bump at 30mph in a car (like the RC) with a quite firm, sporty suspension is just very bad for the shocks... 

[PRT68]

Oh dear, my tongue is firmly in my cheek....

[Cactus]

@Rich1988 i would get it done.

ironically i just dropped my F off at the dealer. Coolant leak… 

hope is something simple and i have had my radiator replaced

barry

[4969_LXS]

@Cactuskeep us posted where the leak is coming from. Fingers crossed it's just a loose hose. Did you poke your head around and see where it was coming from before taking it in to the dealer ?

[BTCC_ Racer]

I recently bought a ISF and its current in getting the manifolds taken off as one of the manifolds could have a crack in it. Ive also bought a replacement rad, my water pump was changed a few years back so its all good. Whilst its in there its getting the gearbox oil changed including the filter inside, engine oil, plugs, filters etc.

[Twellsie]

20 hours ago, Rich1988 said:

Where did yours lose its coolant from? 

from the radiator

[Cactus]

Good and bad news.

radiator (the top part) has leaked.  So will be at the garage for a few weeks. Back order on parts.

Caught it early(i notice the small puddle, no warning lights etc) so everything else is fine.

I emailed lexus part directly already as i only got the radiator a year ago 

barry

[4969_LXS]

Phew, it isn't the valley plate, bit rubbish the radiator has only lasted a year ! From the US forums, the radiators have been known to fail along the top and bottom of the radiator, but it appears to occur on original ones that are old and tired from looking around at information.

I'd of thought Lexus Parts Direct would help you. As it sounds like a defective rad to me

[Cactus]

I am debating on the rr racing radiator… 

will see what they say, i didnt pay alot for the radiator/ was on sale when i got it. Most important thing is the car is ok… gearbox etc

[Malc]

is it repairable .  even pro tem you getting another new one .... in olden times guys used to simply repair radiators I remember

Malc

[Cactus]

@Malc i have no idea. I think its easier to get a new one and let the dealer sort it.

[Rich1988]

5 hours ago, Twellsie said:

from the radiator

Where abouts on the radiator? How did this effect the gearbox? Did the coolant actually effect the atf? You changed the gearbox but did you really need to 

[Malc]

1 hour ago, Cactus said:

I think its easier to get a new one and let the dealer sort it.

remember " back orders " can now take a veeerrrry long time

Malc

[Cactus]

@Malc true that. But if i take the car back i kind of have to drive it to another garage or adopt a new skill of fixing radiator which i want to avoid and dont have the time for.

but i get what you mean. If i have the chance again i would have spend more of my time learning about car mechanics instead of studying.

[Twellsie]

17 hours ago, Rich1988 said:

Where abouts on the radiator? How did this effect the gearbox? Did the coolant actually effect the atf? You changed the gearbox but did you really need to 

it failed internally but broke through to the front face, lexus advised that the solenoids within the gearbox would need to be changed and quoted an extortionate price and lead-time) but at a minimum the gearbox would need to be removed and inspected, spoke to a gearbox specialist that i trust who said similar albeit at a far friendlier cost but lead-time was still not good, the cost of labour was the killer so didnt want to fork out once only to find that i had to do it again, so tracked down a known good gearbox and just had that fitted instead