kambam3627

bradland

It's pretty easy to replace. The only reason I don't say "very easy" is because the 4 fan bolts are a PITA ! The fan needs to be removed to provide clearance for the fan shroud. The fan shroud is mounted on the back side of the rad and can be removed by itself before removing the rad, or still mounted to the rad, it really makes no difference but either way you choose the fan has to be removed.

New rads are cheap-
Good luck !

EDIT- looks like a piece of the shroud is removable from underneath which allows clearance past the fan. I wish I would've seen that a LONG time ago !

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

On the 98-00 at least you don't have to remove the fan to remove the shroud, there's enough space to get it out, though barely.

There's also a clip-in panel on the bottom of the fan shroud that is removed to help with this.


Drain rad, remove upper hoses, unbolt shroud and remove lower panel if needed, wiggle shroud out from between radiator and fan (may need to undo top mounts and tilt the radiator for clearance), then remove lower hose, temp sender, and 2 trans cooler lines.

96CSpeyer

Guess I should have payed more attention to thread title and the year of car.... PureDrifter is spot on.

saleenssc

How many miles on your 99 LS? curious what the expected lifetime of OEM radiators is for the 98-00 LS400's

thanks

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

Mine went out just under 200k/19 years, but not from leaks. The upper hose nipple broke off when removing the hose to do other maintenance.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I had to replace mine at 220k, this year, would not circulate coolant properly and ran HOT.. but I was on top of it and done no damage except to my childrens $$$.. water pump failed so I redone TB/WP (actually thought I had bought a "cheap" kit) the heat overcame the pump, and after replacing IT, could not get it to run with out getting hot in only two blocks,,, took us four days to find it was the radiator NOT circulating... it never leaked.. in fact we just replaced the radiator because there was nothing else to replace... and it was it... ran like a champ, still does... be careful.. guys.. (& gals)

kambam3627

saleenssc

wow 325K . thats impressive for the original radiator.

Mkot9

While watching videos about the replacement I saw that Lexus has a problem with the radiators. It's some type of manufacturing defect. The guy who owned the garage said he sees them coming in all the time. Just an FYI.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Ours lasted a few ticks beyond 200K where the upper tank seal had started to leak. I asked our shop guy about longevity and his reply was 150-225K miles on average. They made the radiators good in those days.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

YRMV as it depends on usage: driving conditions and habits, ambient temps, and maintenance. other lexus vehicles may vary as well where the LS got all the higher quality bits.

my 97's radiator was original before i sold it with 170k. my hondas of the same generation all started to crack where the plastic meets the metal core at around 100k.

paulo57509

I had to replace the original Denso radiator at 90k miles. The upper hose bung was broken off inside the hose, found when it was removed for a timing belt replacement. The new replacement Denso (Hecho en China) was twisted out of the box and I had to remove the flash that was down inside the hole for the AC fan switch in order to fit it in the bottom tank. So far no issues.

deanshark

All radiators are prone to have problems when they get older or aren't treated right. I wouldn't say there's a manufacturing defect at this point, just age. With that said, the two that I've had outlasted the car. My old 93 had 187K and my 94 has 220K, which I might take out and store for a spare if the one in my new 93 ever goes. But that's only at 85K so it might be a while. I will close up the inlet and outlet so nothing gets in. (mice)