Radiator

Radiator

Right Front CV boot.

I had my car in at the Lexus dealer yesterday to reinstall a piece of door trim that came off. While doing a routine inspection on the car, the dealer found that the radiator and right front CV boot needed to be replaced. I have attached the pictures they took of these issues. I have not been having any mechanical issues with the car and have a very limited knowledge about car mechanics. Based on a visual inspection from the pictures provided, should these parts be replaced? What would be a fair price for replacement? Lexus wanted $1200 for the radiator and $500 for the CV boot which seems high, but of course the dealer will always be higher than other places.

 

ASAP that is a catastrophe waiting to happen. $1200 is flat out robbery for a radiator swap. Not sure that is a CV boot leaking could be engine oil.

 

Welcome to CL as a new poster.

On the radiator, those pink deposits look like an anti-freeze leak....you could (?) indeed be having at least some radiator or hose-trouble. Toyota and Lexus use a factory-approved red-colored antifreeze that tends to leave a pink color when leak-deposits dry up.

On the CV boot, CV (Constant Velocity) joints tend to be a weak point on vehicles with front drive-shafts. That is because they absorb both the stresses of power being fed to the front wheels and the left/right steering forces. Typically, they fail either from that, or because the rubber boot-cover cracks or wears out with age, allowing dirt and water to get in and the protective grease inside to get out. Bad front CVs will sometimes have a grinding or clicking noise, or show signs of grease running out of cracks in the boot cover. If you are not experiencing any audible or steering-symptoms, ask the shop to tell you, in detail, WHY they think the CV joint needs to be replaced, and to personally show you the problem. While most shops are honest, there are some, even among new-car dealerships, that will lie to customers to try and sell needed repairs.



BTW, besides general Car Chat, we also have specific Lexus model-forums and a forum for maintenance questions. You might also get more detailed answers there.

 

(Moderator comment: please don't quote huge posts with pictures only to add 1 line below)

I am sure you can cut the cost by 1/2 at an independent

 

As suggested definitely visit the 2nd gen IS sun forum .

Fortunately you havnt had mechanical issue with your radiator, pretty lucky. You'll want to fix that asap. I'm just guessing but radiator should be obtainable for about $150. Anyone can install if for you I'm guessing around $200 (no more than 2 hours, I've done one in 30 mins but not on your car).

if the boot is the only thing they found leaking like that you're doing great! If the grease isn't getting on other rubber (besides the attached part) Personally I may wait until it's showing signs of wear while I'm driving. You'll hear and feel the difference at some point.

 

If that's the passenger side CV boot that's likely actually a PS leak if you have an ES, Lexus inflates book time by 100% in some cases I have found.

 

Thank you all so much for your replies. It seems to me like the consensus is that The radiator likely will require quick attention but the CV boot could wait until some steering issues/noises arise. I contacted an independent shop who will reinspect the radiator to ensure it needs replaced and can replace it/flush the coolant for around $750, which is at least better than what the dealer originally quoted. Thanks again for all of your input!

 

I just checked rockauto.com and a radiator costs anywhere from $65 yo $200. Does $500 seem reasonable for swapping and filling with coolant? Seems high to me although I've never done one on this car.

 

I went to yourmechanic.com (an uber for mechanics) and was quoted $790 for parts and labor (they supply both)- if you supply parts the labor is $497 (includes coolant flush)

So yes, that is reasonable

 

I've called around to 4 different independent shops and they all quoted around $1200 for a new radiator. Toyota was the same - I guess this is inflation?

 

If you're a DIY'er go to youtube and search on "2007 Lexus ES350 Radiator Replacement".

There's a good video there. It's probably an hour job. Doesn't seem like $500 worth of labor to me.

I'm a DIY'er so I'd just do it myself. If you're not they you're stuck with the gouge.

 

New radiator runs at $430 MSRP from Toyota, part number is 16400AD020 I believe. It shouldn't take a very long time to install this, so $1200 is absolutel daylight robbery for that repair.
As for CV boots, you can get the CV joint regreased and rebooted at minimal cost, see below video from CCN, I wouldn't wait until the axle starts wearing down if you can fix it for cheap now.

 

Ya I'm sure I could do it, just don't have the tools or time..so I guess I'm stuck. Just surprised that these other shops quote the same a a dealer. I guess they all use the same book.

 

Ya you're stuck. Ask friends and family for mechanic referrals. Maybe you can find somebody reasonable.

 

There are no fancy tools required to replace the radiator. I have an a CSF aftermarket radiator. It cost about $130 and installed it at 133K; it is approaching 300K, outlasting the oem radiator. I also flushed out the oem coolant, as I do on all my Toyota products, and put in walmart’s SuperTech universal coolant.