When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
2002 SC 430 - Radiator Hose Separated from Top of Radiator
Was starting out on a weekend trip last Thursday with my 2002 SC with 87K miles. Stopped ~75 miles from home for gas/food, so car turned off for about a half hour. Was back on the interstate for less than 2 miles when the warning lights in the RPM gauge lighted up, looked at coolant temp, it was pegged low, and while I continued to look at the cluster I caught a puff of white from the base of my windshield/hood in my peripheral vision, looked back at the coolant temp and it was pegged high. Pulled over immediately, turned off the car, coolant was on the hood and the attached pictures show how the hose separated from the top of the radiator. I'm the original owner and the coolant has only been serviced by the dealership. I just emailed with the service advisor and he said that they plan to diagnose it this morning. I'm assuming something like a closed thermostat stopped the coolant from circulating. I guess that could explain why the temperature could be pegged low on a warmed up engine?
Just wanted to add my surprising experience to this forum and I'll update as this develops.
Thnaks for sharing. You were smart to shut down engine fast. Please key us posted. Your experience is a new one on this forum as far as I can remember.
I just want to know how a main hose could come off...the work was completed 17k miles and four years ago, so no issue with poor workmanship from the dealer.
sure hope it is only a stuck thermostat...
did the radiator neck crack?
your car is at the right age for a new radiator!
did you have the car towed?
also, you should have the power steering fluid changed along with the transmission fluid, if it has never been done.
Only other thing I can think of is perhaps there is a blockage in the engine or radiator that would cause an over pressure situation that literally blows off the top radiator hose.
I am just glad you knew to stop and turn off the engine right away! There have been stories on here where they kept driving and destroyed the engine...
may you have many trouble free miles miles ahead of you!
Thanks for the post. I remember seeing some dry spots of antifreeze around the same area of our SC where yours separated and didn't think much of it. Today I warmed the car up and decided to check the upper and lower radiator hose....the top was hot but the lower one was cold to the touch. Which probably means the thermostat is stuck shut. I'll take it in this week to have Lexus look at it.
Dropped the car off for service this afternoon and the service rep called and said I indeed have a stuck thermostat. He said just keep the loaner and the car should be ready tomorrow morning. In the pic below you can see a little residue that was seeping out near the neck of the radiator (I guess the previous owner replaced the oem clamp). I've only noticed this in the last few weeks. Vehicle history shows the radiator was replaced in February of this year shortly before I purchased the car.
Kevin, did your water temperature gauge on dashboard indicate higher than normal reading, like way above half? It would be odd that the only way to diagnose the problem would be to feel the coldness of the lower hose which I imagine you would have to crawl underneath the car to get to.
Actually the temp gauge didn't go much above normal that I could tell. But I was able to reach my arm between the radiator and engine and feel the lower hose. We haven't driven the car much in the last few weeks but I did notice that there was more antifreeze condensation that normal around the neck of the radiator after long drives.
Actually the temp gauge didn't go much above normal that I could tell. But I was able to reach my arm between the radiator and engine and feel the lower hose. We haven't driven the car much in the last few weeks but I did notice that there was more antifreeze condensation that normal around the neck of the radiator after long drives.
Be sure to watch that area very closely because this is the area where the radiator tank cracks. If it does open up, be sure to shut it down quickly...if the radiator has already been replaced, then I am sure you are fine.
Dropped the car off for service this afternoon and the service rep called and said I indeed have a stuck thermostat. He said just keep the loaner and the car should be ready tomorrow morning. In the pic below you can see a little residue that was seeping out near the neck of the radiator (I guess the previous owner replaced the oem clamp). I've only noticed this in the last few weeks. Vehicle history shows the radiator was replaced in February of this year shortly before I purchased the car.
to add to what bgw said. Those screw type hose clamps, apply pressure unevenly. This can cause the nipple to crack, especially if someone gets over zealous when tightening them. Even if one is careful it can cause it to crack sooner as the plastic becomes more brittle. Spring type clamps are always recommend with plastic parts, because they apply pressure evenly.
My thoughts exactly. I'm guessing they had an issue with this before and went to an aftermarket clamp as a means to try and stem the leak. I will probably change it back to OEM.
10-24-17, 07:37 AM
2002 SC 430 - Radiator Hose Separated from Top of Radiator
