Information on how to replace radiator on SC-430

 

do you want to provide or do you need information?

 

ha ha ha

 

I didn't actually watch this video, it was too jerky and was making me sick. However it does seem to be complete

This one is better shot and will give you basically everything you need to know in a general sense

 

Timely thread -- don't mean to hijack it, but......

I was a pretty frequent poster a bunch of years ago, back in the Habeas and Mister Blister days (if anyone remembers them). I handed off my 2006 SC430 to my daughter a few years ago to run the car into the ground because a 17 year old car with 175K miles is not worth major repairs.

She called tonight after taking the car in for an oil change. Mechanic (at an independant shop with good reviews that we've used before) says the radiator is leaking and needs replacement. Went so far as to call it "dangerous," which scared her. Quoted $750

I'm nowhere near the car to look at it, but she just recently drove it on a 800 mile trip with no issues, no temperature warning lights have come one, although she admits she never really looked under the car so wouldn't know whether there's anything leaking on the ground.

Her normal driving is just in town -- 10 mile trips at the most (the 800 mile road trip was a special event). Since I'm not there, I can't look at the car and she has no mechanical sense. So I'm going into this about as blind as all of you, but I'm asking for advice nevertheless.

I guess I can't figure out how a car with no symptoms needs a radiator replaced. And even if there is a leak as they say, couldn't you just be careful and keep it topped off considering the short trips (although she does live in Florida where its hot).

Any thoughts at all, greatly appreciated.

 

the plastic tanks seem to be the weak point.
please tell her not to drive it until it’s been repaired. It could fail at any moment…if the engine overheats, it’s all over.
if she lives near Cocoa Beach, I could take a look at it or have her send you pics of the upper tank and look for the notorious “pink stuff”
here is a thread with pics, scroll way down and you will see pics showing a leak.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...ement-diy.html

 

Hey Jonny Cakes, good to see you again!

I Was wondering why we stopped hearing from you.

The SC Radiator is not the best. As BGW said, the tanks crack pretty readily. First a crack and then the whole thing blows. Replacing the radiator is not that big of a deal. You can buy a replacement on Amazon and have it sent to her. She will of course need coolant. If she has a friend who is mechanically inclined they can do it in the parking lot. (I did mine in the parking lot at work)

Denso (OEM) Radiator

Coolant (OEM) Coolant (Aftermarket)
Catch Pan
And a probably crappy, never would use it myself , socket set

Another shakey video I didn't actually watch

Buuuuuuuuuuuuut. If she is anywhere near BGW, I would go that route. He is a man you can trust

 

Who knew, Home Depot has auto parts LoL 😂
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Radiator...3175/313164541

Amazon is still the best deal

 

While you could try to keep the radiator fluid at the correct level by watching it closely and adding coolant when necessary, the all-aluminum engine can be severely damaged by a quick loss overheat situation. Could be bad news on an 800 mile trip away from home. The radiator is pretty easy to replace and not very expensive. I used this one on my 2004 SC430 : Denso 221-3175 Radiator Amazon still has them for $115. Still going strong 6 years later. My leak was a slow leak that looked like this :

 

Hi Johnny long time my mileage report today 8385 miles

My radiator lower section cracked in 2 nd year of ownership the bottom plastic tank cracked i
was under warranty like everyone is reporting here get replacement on amazon and any reliable
independent shops [ check on line ratings ] can install its not difficult. How are the back up led working.
best regards to you and Habious

Buddy

 

Just the info I needed -- thanks, all! This is really a great forum and was so useful when I had the SC430.

lol, mrblister !! I'm now convinced that you spend the days driving the car like everyone else -- and all night having it run in reverse!

 

I have two motorcycles. I have my daily beater and I have my convertible. I’m retired in any given day I have a choice of driving anything I want however, I won’t drive the convertible when it rains so therefore it’s the last to drive because it’s always raining here good hearing from you.

 

Hi Johnny, good to see you posting again. Mine had a minor leak also 3 or so years ago but it was enough for me to want to change it out. It took me an afternoon. If she is handy mechanically with some car mechanic experience, she could handle it. If not, a good indie can do it. If forget what I was quoted but it seems like it was $300 to $500 and since parts costs were in the $120 range, I went ahead and handled it myself.

 

hey Johnny, you’re not old enough to have a kid in college just fly up or down and do it with your daughter father daughter deal good to see you posting I’m fine 77 years old retired just so I could see more doctors same line since I was dealing with 15 years ago I wish you good Will good health take care

 

Welcome back Johnny. We’ve missed you.