Odd that the mechanic did not think much of you picture you showed him.

How many miles you have on this Lexus ?

 

99k. The other post I referenced with the link says " Mechanic says this is common in the IS cars and Lexus V8s at 100K miles and even ES/RX 330 at 150K miles. The factory seal wears down over time and needs to be redone. It is a 5-hour labor job." (post 13 in the link I provided above)

 

Based on what you've said, I wouldn't trust your Indy. He may just have more experience with those other brands (for good reason lol).

I'd take it right back to the Lexus dealer and have them do it. They discovered it and know how to fix it. While it's nice to save money, your Lexus dealer is likely way way more trained in your engine.

 

I think that's sound advice. The only last thing I may do is take it to Toyota and get their Master Tech to use the scope with me there to witness it so I can fully see & understand.

 

I would go back to the independent. Just my opinion. Start using the words, gasket leak etc etc. Leave the car with them as well

 

you mean the independent who couldn’t find the leak? why?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but, I thought Lexus used a red coolant from factory that doesn't leak but crystallizes. It's to my understanding that you see red flakes or residue when coolant is leaking on our cars.

 

I don't know about the crystalizing part, but you are correct that the Toyota/Lexus coolant ("Long Life Coolant") is red.

 

So what did you decide to do in the end?

 

So what was the conclusion to all of this?

I ask as I thought of you today, found a leak on my 4Runner yesterday and looks like it is the power steering hose. First I thought it was the coolant and that is when this thread came to mind.

 

I'm monitoring the levels - it hasn't moved much (if at all) but is at the "low" level. I'm going to add some coolant and see what happens - someone on the ISF forum (where those cars have the same issue) commented that if the reservoir level is too low the engine may not be pulling the coolant properly and would potentially explain why I'm not seeing the level change at all. It only seems to leak when the reservoir gets filled up.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the update.

 

Quick update: I have been watching the reservoir for a couple of weeks now staying at the "Low" level. Yesterday, I filled it to the "full" line - drove the car 8 miles, checked it this morning and it's back to "Low". This clearly seems to signal some type of leak/issue so I'm taking it to Lexus Saturday for repair. Will ask that the Tech takes pics and post them. Appreciate the help here.

 

What does the coolant level in the reservoir look like when then engine is hot?

 

Not sure - I've been told by a few people (including 2 mechanics) to check it when it's cold- so I've just kept my eye on it each morning. If I remember correctly, the heat would force the reservoir to appear more full, so I imagine that's what would happen. I will check it later tonight though just to see. However, the fact that I went from the "Full" line to around/below the "Low" line when driving the car only 8 miles seems to confirm that the engine is not able to properly get access to the coolant in the reservoir when the level is very low. It seems it can pull the coolant when it's full but that's when the loss of the coolant occurs. I put somewhere around 12 ounces of coolant in it (roughly 1/3 of a quart) and lost all of it in the 8 mile trip.