Sw02LS430

Hello i am new to this forum and until now havnt had any real problems with my 2002 ls430. I'm at little over 130k and timing belt was replaced at 90k. I had car serviced bout 5 months ago and all was fine . Just last week I noticed hot air not coming out of heater but didn't think much more then maybe car wasn't warmed up yet and havnt used it as summers in sac ca are very hot. Then few days later check engine and vcs light came on. Wasn't over heating or anything according to dash. Was almost home drove the last mile or two and as I was pulling onto my street I felt loss of power and then light smoke/steam coming from under the hood as I parked in driveway . Turned car off opened hood and heard gargling/bubbling sound from what seemed to be radiator . Didn't smoke much and don't see any more whn opened hood . After letting cool down I went to check and found the radiator and overflow bone dry . After reading 100s of posts here I know I have a leak obv and really hope it's not a head gasket. Checked oil and it looked normal not milky and due to funds and cause I want to I've decided to try and fix this my self . I went and bought the lexus coolant 50/50 along with jack stands and everything I'll need to start . I got up on stands and poored distilled water in radiator hoping to see an obv leak . Took off skid plate and didn't see anything obv . I hVe yet to start car cause I'm afraid the block is bone dry to and know until the thermostat opens whn warm coolant won't be getting in. From what I've read I'm changing rad cap and prob thermostat but havnt yet . Knowing 5 month ago the level was fine and dry now please help me with what to do and my concerns with starting car . This is my only car so I'm very worried and kind of excited to dive into this thing my self for once but really don't know where to go from here . Thanks in advance for anyone who can post

KING

iTrader: (1)

Move it to the main LS430 questions, you won't get much traffic here.
Just a subcategory to the back.

Good luck.