Checking coolant level
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Florida
Checking coolant level
With all of my cars I frequently check the oil level and coolant level, I always have. With my 2012 LS checking the coolant level is difficult because of the engine cover. It seems to me that removing the cover to get at the coolant reservoir is more of a deal than I want to get into on a regular basis. With a flashlight you can get a slight side view of the reservoir, but you can’t add coolant if you want to.
Any experience with this? The cover is attached to the air intake, which makes it difficult to remove.
Thanks
Any experience with this? The cover is attached to the air intake, which makes it difficult to remove.
Thanks
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
With all of my cars I frequently check the oil level and coolant level, I always have. With my 2012 LS checking the coolant level is difficult because of the engine cover. It seems to me that removing the cover to get at the coolant reservoir is more of a deal than I want to get into on a regular basis. With a flashlight you can get a slight side view of the reservoir, but you can’t add coolant if you want to.
Any experience with this? The cover is attached to the air intake, which makes it difficult to remove.
Thanks
Any experience with this? The cover is attached to the air intake, which makes it difficult to remove.
Thanks
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 245
Likes: 35
From: TX
roadfrog is from Canada and can be difficult 
lots of snowflakes fall up there!
You do not have to but it is an easy process, plus it is good to check other components!
lots of snowflakes fall up there!You do not have to but it is an easy process, plus it is good to check other components!
Last edited by jkittlesen; May 22, 2019 at 04:25 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
LOL. I thought I was being clear when I answered "NO NEED TO REMOVE ANYTHING". Maybe my Canadian accent is getting lost in translation.
So.......to reiterate....no need to remove the engine cover. If you look under the cover, you'll see the expansion tank. A funnel will reach it. You can even remove the reservoir cap without removing the cover.
But hey....if ya WANNA remove the cover, go ahead. But be forewarned, it MAY add an additional 26.7 seconds to the job.
So.......to reiterate....no need to remove the engine cover. If you look under the cover, you'll see the expansion tank. A funnel will reach it. You can even remove the reservoir cap without removing the cover.
But hey....if ya WANNA remove the cover, go ahead. But be forewarned, it MAY add an additional 26.7 seconds to the job.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 95
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From: Florida
Thanks. I love cars but am not real good at working on them, but love to play around, for years changed the oil did lube jobs, plugs, thermostats etc. At this point if I don’t have to remove the cover it’s good with me.
Looks to me that you almost have to be a contortionist to get the cap off of the reservoir with the cover on. If you get the cap off what do you do wiggle a hose from a funnel into the reservoir to add coolant?
Help me!
Thanks
Looks to me that you almost have to be a contortionist to get the cap off of the reservoir with the cover on. If you get the cap off what do you do wiggle a hose from a funnel into the reservoir to add coolant?
Help me!
Thanks
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
Thanks. I love cars but am not real good at working on them, but love to play around, for years changed the oil did lube jobs, plugs, thermostats etc. At this point if I don’t have to remove the cover it’s good with me.
Looks to me that you almost have to be a contortionist to get the cap off of the reservoir with the cover on. If you get the cap off what do you do wiggle a hose from a funnel into the reservoir to add coolant?
Help me!
Thanks
Looks to me that you almost have to be a contortionist to get the cap off of the reservoir with the cover on. If you get the cap off what do you do wiggle a hose from a funnel into the reservoir to add coolant?
Help me!
Thanks
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Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 95
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From: Florida
Thanks. I’ll try it. Goes without saying, as much as I love the car, bad design. Should be as accessible as windshield washer reservoir and the add oil cap.
Thanks.
With my luck, I’ll drop the cap and lose it putting it back on.
Thanks.
With my luck, I’ll drop the cap and lose it putting it back on.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
You'll be fine. Just use one hand to hold up the cover and the other hand to remove cap. If you'd rather, remove the cover. It's easy. I just could never be bothered. I do have small hands....but that's a whole other issue.....
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 95
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From: Florida
Coolant
Just to clarify, on the 2012 LS the part of the engine cover that is over the reservoir is attached to air intakes, it doesn’t just lift off when you take the pushpins out. That is primarily why I didn’t want to get involved in removing the cover.
I don’t know if the other years of the LS models have attached covers over the reservoir.
I don’t know if the other years of the LS models have attached covers over the reservoir.
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