ejthomp

I know what the answer is, but thought I would ask anyway.

I was working on the motor and put my elbow down here and broke it off.

Smooth move! Simple maintenance just got complicated. Wasn't thinking about a new radiator.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I did the same thing and went to home depot in the plumbing section and found a small brass connector. I opened up the hole a little then screwed the connector on and applied 2 part epoxy. I let it sit for a whole day to let it cure and it's been good since the summer.

ejthomp

I've been thinking about that.

1/8" pipe thread x hose barb.

Just wish I could trust it. My daughter drives this car 325 miles one way to school.

I believe I could epoxy in a hose barb... Just not sure I could trust it.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

it's either that or a new/used radiator. If funds permit I would just try to find a used one from the junkyard if your not comfortable with that fix.

UNCNOR

iTrader: (1)

Check rockauto.com.They have Denso radiators for $69.00 plus shipping.Put a new one in my 97LS when the timing belt was done about a month ago.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Nice find.

ejthomp

I had to get this done today and the only radiator I could get quickly was only $70 from my local auto parts store. Not my first choice, but it looked of decent quality. Time will tell.

Changing radiators was a LOT easier than I expected. Plenty of room to work on a LS400. I changed the coolant temperature sensor as well. I've taken it for a few hard drives today and it does seem to run better. If I have to change it again in the future, I won't be afraid of the job.

I purchased this LS400 for my daughter back in August. She goes to school 300 miles away so I wanted a reliable, safe car for her. The car does run very smooth.

Thanks for your help guys! This forum is great! I've identified two more maintenance items to take care of: a new power steering pump and the capacitors in the ECU. Neither is causing an issue(slight power steering leak) yet so it may be summer before I tackle those.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Glad to see you got this taken care of quickly.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

$70 isn't too bad, glad it's sorted the right way though the barb method would be ok if a more experienced driver were behind the wheel. since it's your child, i would not cut corners especially with that much driving!

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

yep, when I broke mine I put a new radiator in..... easy fix..

mappo

"I wanted a reliable car for my daughter so I bought an 18 year old one with just under 200000 miles on it."

Can you imagine saying this about anything other than an LS?

ejthomp

Good point! My daughter parks it on the street on Greek row so it's not being pampered. It would bother me to leave a more valuable vehicle there.

So if I'm going to be putting my faith in a less expensive vehicle, I'll do the maintenance and take my chances with an LS400. There are a few things still to do to the car, but I know it has had synthetic oil changes every 5000 miles and regular tranny service along with the required timing belt, water pump, hoses,etc. It drives great and has new tires and brakes all around.

Odds are the young driver is going to fail before the LS400. Which brings up my other reasoning; Would you rather do regular 300 mile, highway speed trips in an LS400 or a newer econobox? Easy choice there!

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

yep, I'm thinking with you.....