My car started overheating few days ago--temp got close to red but not in the red, went down then up and down. I figure bad thermostat. Ive been preparing for this and already had a new Lexus waterpump. I went back to Lexus got new thermo, radiator hoses, and aftermarket radiator. Might as well do it all now.

Ive been reading conflicting info on changing the radiator. Does the front bumper need to come off?? I hope not thats a big hassle and a lot more time/expense, plus I have an aero kit on the front bumper.

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Should be similar no trans lines on the X50's.

 

I have a 2012 convertible model (which i imagine is the same in the front bumper department) and i can tell you that you do NOT need to remove the bumper to get the radiator in and out, even though the FSM states that you do.

I think the reason they ask you to do it, is because there is a bolt on the bottom of the front center support that may need to come off (can't remember if its required right now or not) that is kind of a pain to get to, but it is can be accessed from the bottom of the car with the splash shield removed with a minimal amount of cursing.

The worst part is getting the fans out of the way, because the ECU duct on the right side of the shroud is just a pain in the *** to get undone, and it's a VERY tight fit to slide the fans in and out, but it is totally doable with some fiddling.

Also, its easier if you leave all the stuff on the radiator support just attached to it, and just swing it up and out of the way. Maybe find a way to hang it in the vertical position to avoid putting too much strain on the cables and such.

 

You should confirm the cores air inlet is not plugged. If the coolant has been maintained, it seems possible that dirt, leaves, debris can and does build up on the core. Pull the right side fan and splash shield, get a garden hose and back flush the core. If a bunch of dirt pores out, that could be your issue maybe coupled w low fluid.

When I say low fluid, I'm saying any tiny leak in the coolant system anywhere except the reservoir and the reservoir will show full while the block is actually low on coolant and over heating.

Check the block coolant level.

 

Thanks for the responses. Im gonna have the tech replace everything in the cooling system. If he says bumper has to be removed then radiator is not being replaced. Still going to cost me $1000 parts and labor and thats with my employee discount

But still cheaper to fix it and drive it another 80-100K miles than get a new car payment $500 mo for 5 years!!

 

I replaced my radiator DIY a month ago with Adv. Auto Denso.
Bumper cover removal and install is very easy and makes it much easier to do the job.
IMHO

 

All done picked up car today!! New water pump, thermo, radiator, hoses. $1000 But needed to be done, car should be good for a another 100K miles!!

 

do you remember how much the radiator was?