First off, I'm new to the Club and new to owning a Lexus.

I bought a 1994 SC400 about a week ago knowing that it had a coolant problem. I noticed that in a week of owning the car that the coolant overflow tank is completely empty.

There is white "stuff" (lol) around the front of the engine and looks to have come from where the radiator cap is located...

I havent had a spike in temp on the dash yet, but i noticed when driving to the MAX station today that the car had its second sign of a problem... Parked the car opened the hood just i was curious and steam was coming from the overflow tank and the top of the radiator...


I will need a new radiator im asuming?

i appreciate any answers or suggestions.

PM me if you can

 

do or have someone to a leakdown test to check for coolant leaks
do you hear any water gushing sounds in the car?
maybe thermstat or the fan isnt kicking in?
does the car smoke white?

 

see if there is a crack on top plastic part of radiator any where also do a pressure test make sure nothing leaking def dont want it to get any worse

 

car makes no threatening noises, i believe i caught this problem early...

no white smoke, and the fan is spinning along just fine.

any recommendations on radiators?

and is it easy to replace by myself?

 

msc300:
yes i believe that there is a crack on the top, I was running late this morning but was able to catch a quick look at the top part of the radiator and steam was definitely coming out of a little crack on the top.

 

The radiator is extremely easy to replace. Replace the hoses while your there, and the thermostat if your up to it. Once you remove the inlet hose the thermostat housing is right there in your face anyways.

That white stuff is probably calcification from someone using non distilled water in the coolant system(this is a big no no)

I used to pick up truckloads of distilled water for the Lexus/BMW dealership I worked at.

 

Alright, any websites that you could recommend for a new radiator (hopefully wont cost me an arm and leg) and the hoses that you listed?

+ recommendation of coolant to buy?

 

Cannot help you on the search for a radiator just do a google search and it should show you some options. Dealer is overpriced don't bother going there. I would use the 50/50 premixed Toyota (Pink) coolant they have now. No water needed and the price is not that crazy. If the hoses are original replace the upper and lower hose. I have a feeling the radiator has a crack in it and it is leaking. It would be a good idea to replace the thermostat on top of the motor. You don't want a overheating problem again! Good luck with the search! Need anymore info let me know...

 

Radiator replacement is quite easy.

 

Stock Koyo replacement $159 shipped on Ebay. Quality radiator for a no name price.

Buy OEM hoses and Toyota Red coolant.

 

+ 1 for the koyo

 

Had this happen already, took literally 30 minutes to change it out. Easy cheesy.

Edit: forgot to mention, check the inlet to the radiator hose connection on the engine (top one). Mine cracked when removing the old hose. Good luck!

 

Hey everyone, so removing the hoses and all that stuff was easy, i have a new radiator and the only problem i'm having is getting the old one out?

this is my first time replacing a radiator and i am having a unbelievably hard time getting the damn thing out, it seems the fan is blocking the ability for the radiator to slide right up...

HELP ME