Radiator leak 2004 RX
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 41
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From: CT
Radiator leak 2004 RX
My wife's 2004 RX330 has a pin hole radiator (top right) leak. My Toyota dealers first offer was $990 for a Lexus radiator or $950 for an aftermarket replacement radiator. It has 101000 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Driver
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 142
Likes: 22
From: California
Second is you should be comfortable with mechanical things when they go a bit wrong. For example, there are 4 screws that hold the A/C condenser coils to the front of the radiator. The screws can be rusted/frozen and the bottom ones are hard to access (some guides say remove the front bumper but that is not absolutely necessary).
It is a do-able DIY, and I don't know about repairing a pin hole in an aluminum radiator.
You will also need Toyota long life coolant and to consider draining and replacing what you have in there now when the radiator is out.
Last edited by mylexbaby; Mar 13, 2015 at 11:11 AM. Reason: Forgot to add
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 41
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From: CT
Thanks to all so far. My car is from Japan. the radiator is aluminium and plastic. I am mechanically inclined and have all the tools. I was a bit scared off by the 5 hr service time the dealer quoted and a poster here that ordered two wrong radiators.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 22
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From: IL
I just had this service done last week on my 2004 RX 330 Canadian build under warranty days before it was going to expire.
Price on the receipt with coolant, radiator and labor was $599
For those who care the part number for my radiator (Canada Build Car) is 16041-0A412 ($384.87)
While it was there I said might as well throw in a thermostat. parts and labor $123.56
The thermostat is 90916-A3003 ($22.02) and gasket is 16325-62010 ($12.12)
Price on the receipt with coolant, radiator and labor was $599
For those who care the part number for my radiator (Canada Build Car) is 16041-0A412 ($384.87)
While it was there I said might as well throw in a thermostat. parts and labor $123.56
The thermostat is 90916-A3003 ($22.02) and gasket is 16325-62010 ($12.12)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
The OP can attempt to do it himself with a can of propane or map gas and alumiweld/durafix rods that can be found cheap at harbor freight or ebay. Or depending how big the pinhole JB Weld would work.
If the problem was with one of the end tanks, I would just get a replacement radiator.
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Driver
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: California
Consider a new radiator cap if it is still the original one.
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Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: CA
I got mine done for about $600 with OEM lexus parts a few years ago. It wasn't a dealer but a guy who works on lexus only and worked as lexus matertech for several years before that.
I would find someone that knows lexus and only works on lexus.
I would find someone that knows lexus and only works on lexus.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: utah
My first post here, howdy all!
Wife's '06 400h leaking red fluid on the garage floor pretty badly and wanted to find what it was and a fix. Yup it's coolant. I did a bunch of plastic removal to get a better look. I could see a whitish trail running down the right side of the tank. I didn't want to deal with replacement right now I've got too much other stuff going on.
I had a similar issue on my Porsche Turbo with both R&L rads seeping and consulted a senior tech friend at the dealer. He looked around, then whispered "Alumiseal". $5.99 and it worked perfectly. No more drips and hot burned coolant smell.
I removed the upper hose from the Lexus and poured in the sealer. Buttoned up the car enough to drive it for 20 minutes. Checked underneath and ton the garage floor, it's dry. Worked for now. $5.99 fix. If it leaks down the road a new rad $89.99 + ship 10.99, 12.99 coolant, an hour or 2 for the job and all is permanently fixed for a few years.
Too bad radiators in our technologically advanced world are expendable items.
Wife's '06 400h leaking red fluid on the garage floor pretty badly and wanted to find what it was and a fix. Yup it's coolant. I did a bunch of plastic removal to get a better look. I could see a whitish trail running down the right side of the tank. I didn't want to deal with replacement right now I've got too much other stuff going on.
I had a similar issue on my Porsche Turbo with both R&L rads seeping and consulted a senior tech friend at the dealer. He looked around, then whispered "Alumiseal". $5.99 and it worked perfectly. No more drips and hot burned coolant smell.
I removed the upper hose from the Lexus and poured in the sealer. Buttoned up the car enough to drive it for 20 minutes. Checked underneath and ton the garage floor, it's dry. Worked for now. $5.99 fix. If it leaks down the road a new rad $89.99 + ship 10.99, 12.99 coolant, an hour or 2 for the job and all is permanently fixed for a few years.
Too bad radiators in our technologically advanced world are expendable items.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 260
Likes: 6
From: MI
My first post here, howdy all!
Wife's '06 400h leaking red fluid on the garage floor pretty badly and wanted to find what it was and a fix. Yup it's coolant. I did a bunch of plastic removal to get a better look. I could see a whitish trail running down the right side of the tank. I didn't want to deal with replacement right now I've got too much other stuff going on.
I had a similar issue on my Porsche Turbo with both R&L rads seeping and consulted a senior tech friend at the dealer. He looked around, then whispered "Alumiseal". $5.99 and it worked perfectly. No more drips and hot burned coolant smell.
I removed the upper hose from the Lexus and poured in the sealer. Buttoned up the car enough to drive it for 20 minutes. Checked underneath and ton the garage floor, it's dry. Worked for now. $5.99 fix. If it leaks down the road a new rad $89.99 + ship 10.99, 12.99 coolant, an hour or 2 for the job and all is permanently fixed for a few years.
Too bad radiators in our technologically advanced world are expendable items.
Wife's '06 400h leaking red fluid on the garage floor pretty badly and wanted to find what it was and a fix. Yup it's coolant. I did a bunch of plastic removal to get a better look. I could see a whitish trail running down the right side of the tank. I didn't want to deal with replacement right now I've got too much other stuff going on.
I had a similar issue on my Porsche Turbo with both R&L rads seeping and consulted a senior tech friend at the dealer. He looked around, then whispered "Alumiseal". $5.99 and it worked perfectly. No more drips and hot burned coolant smell.
I removed the upper hose from the Lexus and poured in the sealer. Buttoned up the car enough to drive it for 20 minutes. Checked underneath and ton the garage floor, it's dry. Worked for now. $5.99 fix. If it leaks down the road a new rad $89.99 + ship 10.99, 12.99 coolant, an hour or 2 for the job and all is permanently fixed for a few years.
Too bad radiators in our technologically advanced world are expendable items.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
Zerex Asian formula is an acceptable safe alternative to Toyota Pink. I know a few long time Toyota techs that use it at their work when shipments are late and use it with their side work. It is compatible with Toyota pink and red for topping off and can be ordered/picked up at any NAPA.
Other notable HOAT coolants that meet the protection levels of Toyota red/pink
Pentofrost A1 and A4
Beck/Arnley Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Recochem's "OEM Premium" Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Aisin Pink (50/50 pre-mix)
Last edited by fastnoypi; Mar 16, 2015 at 07:48 AM.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: utah
Thanks for your concern on the coolant type, I researched this relentlessly years ago when wanting to add coolant to our Porsche Boxster, avoiding the dealer that sells it by the liter. A lot of new type coolants are lifetime and are devoid of certain chemicals. Important to add compatible types.
Porsche coolant is pink as well and made by Pentosin.
Porsche coolant is pink as well and made by Pentosin.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 260
Likes: 6
From: MI
No doubt that you can't go wrong with OEM toyota red or pink coolants from you dealer.
Zerex Asian formula is an acceptable safe alternative to Toyota Pink. I know a few long time Toyota techs that use it at their work when shipments are late and use it with their side work. It is compatible with Toyota pink and red for topping off and can be ordered/picked up at any NAPA.
Other notable HOAT coolants that meet the protection levels of Toyota red/pink
Pentofrost A1 and A4
Beck/Arnley Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Recochem's "OEM Premium" Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Aisin Pink (50/50 pre-mix)
Zerex Asian formula is an acceptable safe alternative to Toyota Pink. I know a few long time Toyota techs that use it at their work when shipments are late and use it with their side work. It is compatible with Toyota pink and red for topping off and can be ordered/picked up at any NAPA.
Other notable HOAT coolants that meet the protection levels of Toyota red/pink
Pentofrost A1 and A4
Beck/Arnley Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Recochem's "OEM Premium" Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Aisin Pink (50/50 pre-mix)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
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