C...c...COLD! My LS460 doesnt heat up
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 5
From: UK
Weird. I would have thought that a failure of the water pump would result in the car overheating, or at least higher than normal temps?
My problem was resolved by running the car at 2k RPM for 5 mins with the radiator cap off and me keeping the tank topped up to max.
My problem was resolved by running the car at 2k RPM for 5 mins with the radiator cap off and me keeping the tank topped up to max.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 27
From: Texas
It moves enough though the engine but maybe not enough to the heater core. Eventually it will overheat.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: VA
CMY4D, my observation is that LS460 does not have a metal radiator cap on the radiator itself as most cars do. The cap on the plastic overflow reservoir functions to pressurize the cooling system, thus eliminates the need to have a traditional radiator cap on the radiator itself. But if the cooling system is drained such as when replacing coolant as a routine maintenance, how do you refill the cooling system with new coolant? Simply dumping coolant to the plastic reservoir won't direct the coolant to the radiator, will it? I think the reservoir cap is at a lower point than the top of the radiator but I might be wrong. I assume you're a Lexus tech and hope you can shed some light. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 5
From: UK
CMY4D, my observation is that LS460 does not have a metal radiator cap on the radiator itself as most cars do. The cap on the plastic overflow reservoir functions to pressurize the cooling system, thus eliminates the need to have a traditional radiator cap on the radiator itself. But if the cooling system is drained such as when replacing coolant as a routine maintenance, how do you refill the cooling system with new coolant? Simply dumping coolant to the plastic reservoir won't direct the coolant to the radiator, will it? I think the reservoir cap is at a lower point than the top of the radiator but I might be wrong. I assume you're a Lexus tech and hope you can shed some light. Thanks.
It's not a massive hole once you remove the screw, but you could easily fit a decent size funnel in there.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: NORCAL/GTA
did you ever find the problem, I think we have a problem on hand that seems to match everyone description.
On the ISF there is a transfer pipe to the heat exchange (same like the LS460) seems to be a small leak from there making all this pink crust under the intake manifold.. It leaks so slowly that you don't see it anywhere on the floor.
ISF uses the same engine as ls460 just tuned.... in the F section we are talking about the same problem.
On the ISF there is a transfer pipe to the heat exchange (same like the LS460) seems to be a small leak from there making all this pink crust under the intake manifold.. It leaks so slowly that you don't see it anywhere on the floor.
ISF uses the same engine as ls460 just tuned.... in the F section we are talking about the same problem.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 5
From: UK
did you ever find the problem, I think we have a problem on hand that seems to match everyone description.
On the ISF there is a transfer pipe to the heat exchange (same like the LS460) seems to be a small leak from there making all this pink crust under the intake manifold.. It leaks so slowly that you don't see it anywhere on the floor.
ISF uses the same engine as ls460 just tuned.... in the F section we are talking about the same problem.
On the ISF there is a transfer pipe to the heat exchange (same like the LS460) seems to be a small leak from there making all this pink crust under the intake manifold.. It leaks so slowly that you don't see it anywhere on the floor.
ISF uses the same engine as ls460 just tuned.... in the F section we are talking about the same problem.
Do you have a link to the ISF thread so I can follow?
Cheers
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 89
From: Orlando STRONG!!
so are we certain its the waterpump? i'm having the same issue regardless of engine temp or runtime it only blows warm while car is in motion (for 5 mins or more) cars never overheated or had any temp issues..only noticed a week or so ago as its not usually cold in fl...now i'll need to address it..wife was in the car yesterday we drove around all morn (with heat) stop at buddies to look at his car (an hr later with her inside the car and engine running it was ice cold) drove off and boom heat again......waterpumps cheap enough but i wanna know for certain thats the issue
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
did you ever find the problem, I think we have a problem on hand that seems to match everyone description.
On the ISF there is a transfer pipe to the heat exchange (same like the LS460) seems to be a small leak from there making all this pink crust under the intake manifold.. It leaks so slowly that you don't see it anywhere on the floor.
ISF uses the same engine as ls460 just tuned.... in the F section we are talking about the same problem.
On the ISF there is a transfer pipe to the heat exchange (same like the LS460) seems to be a small leak from there making all this pink crust under the intake manifold.. It leaks so slowly that you don't see it anywhere on the floor.
ISF uses the same engine as ls460 just tuned.... in the F section we are talking about the same problem.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
No I never really got to the bottom of it to be honest. I thought at first it was due to a low coolant level but I think my car has a natural coolant level just above the -low- mark. I can top it up every day and it goes back to -low- or leave it months and it stays in the same place.
Do you have a link to the ISF thread so I can follow?
Cheers
Do you have a link to the ISF thread so I can follow?
Cheers
Driver
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 62
Likes: 7
From: az
I don't know much about this so I hope that I am telling you right. That nylon tank that you refer to as the "coolant resevoir" is the equivalent of the coolant resovoir that is the upper part of more conventional radiators. And the cap on that tank is equivalent to the radiator cap that we see on older models. If your cap is missing then it is unlikely that your car can contain the coolant when it heats up. The cap is designed to provide pressurization, which increases the boiling point, for the coolant when it gets hot and prevents a vacuum when the coolant cools, just like the radiator caps of old. If your cap is missing then that will be a problem. And if some sort of cap has been substituted then that will be a problem. The cap has a definite "click" when it is correctly tightened and that is important. Just like the older radiators, you should only remove the cap when the car is cold and you should only add liquid when the car is cold.
Such sound advice. I just DIY replaced the thermostat and radiator assembly in my 2007 LS460. First DIY! All OEM parts. Searching the forums to find tips, hints, troubleshooting. Thanks for the in depth informative descriptions. Gold mine for a fan like me.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 62
Likes: 7
From: az
Interesting... Car over heated here in the AZ summer 06/2020. Dealing service said needs new thermostat and radiator. 2007 LS460 127k... Just wrapped the DIY. Test driving tomorrow.