RX 400h Inverter Problem
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 204
Likes: 36
From: il
If that were my car, and it probably will be some day, I would wipe it off and keep an eye on it. My transmission had a similar leak and it took 6 months until it got bad enough to leave a drop on the garage floor. The dealer actually did not change it under warranty until it got worse than what you currently have.
Once it got bad enough to make a mess I would disconnect the batteries, drain the coolant and pull the inverter so I could take it apart and see what is going on in there. Although I have never seen one apart, it sure looks similar to replacing a leaking oil pan seal. The dealers only replace things like this so there is not a lot of info on how to actually repair.
While you have the inverter out change the thermostat in the gas motor as the inverter is completely in the way
.
Once it got bad enough to make a mess I would disconnect the batteries, drain the coolant and pull the inverter so I could take it apart and see what is going on in there. Although I have never seen one apart, it sure looks similar to replacing a leaking oil pan seal. The dealers only replace things like this so there is not a lot of info on how to actually repair.
While you have the inverter out change the thermostat in the gas motor as the inverter is completely in the way
.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 463
Likes: 27
From: FL
It is behind the normal radiator on the inverter side. Take off the plastic front cover of the inverter and look down and it is close to the lower edge of the radiators. It is external from the engine hanging off some brackets. Look for the hoses and wires.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
Very easy to replace, cost around $200. Mine failed around 100k miles, It is a little electric water pump basically. When mine failed Toyota replaced it, but they had to reset a lot of stuff.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 204
Likes: 36
From: il
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: wa
Hi everyone. glad these are here for us to review forever. Our 2008 RX400h has only 68k since mostly city driving. it has been garaged for the last year an half due to 2 episodes of catalytic converter rip offs. We finally started driving it again and noted a small stain on the garage floor. I haven't been able to locate exactly the site of leakage, but seems like coolant from the inverter.
From the post on #49, sounds like the pump is easy to change out. The inverter replacement sounds prohibitively costly, more than the car is worth at this time.
Question
1. If the inverter doesn't fail, why can't I just keep filling the coolant back up.
2. If the transaxle is the source of the leak, will filling the inverter coolant keep it also filled up and keep from failing?
3. It sounds like there is trouble only if the inverter itself fails?
Anyone scanning this thread with any help or suggestions is appreciated.
thanks
From the post on #49, sounds like the pump is easy to change out. The inverter replacement sounds prohibitively costly, more than the car is worth at this time.
Question
1. If the inverter doesn't fail, why can't I just keep filling the coolant back up.
2. If the transaxle is the source of the leak, will filling the inverter coolant keep it also filled up and keep from failing?
3. It sounds like there is trouble only if the inverter itself fails?
Anyone scanning this thread with any help or suggestions is appreciated.
thanks
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