My apologies in advance if this information has been posted somewhere on ClubLexus, I'm brand new to the website as of today. I'll be doing a simple "spill and fill" coolant change soon (not a full flush) on my '06 LS430 (Custom Luxury, 20k original miles (was my late father's car)) after pulling the front of the car up on my Race Ramps Roll-Ups for an additional 4" of elevation. I'm interested in purchasing one of the so-called No-Spill Coolant Funnel kits to aid with burping the system, but I see several offerings on Amazon and elsewhere for essentially the same made-in-China product marketed under a variety of names -- EPAuto, OEMTOOLS, Lisle, Thorstone, LEIMO, Harbor Freight, Matco Tools, etc. Other than the Matco Tools kit being double the price of the others (and I suppose better quality), are all of these kits basically identical when it comes to how well they seal at the radiator filler neck where most leaks/spills are likely to occur? The vehicle has the original factory radiator and overflow reservoir, both of which have never overheated or had any other issues despite our insane California desert summer temps (the last Toyota Super Long Life Coolant replacement was performed by a local Lexus dealer some 7 years/12k miles ago) . I'd appreciate any first-hand experience/feedback on these different funnel offerings when it comes to leak-free fitment, and whether one brand is recommended over another (I don't mind spending the extra bucks if it means having a dry garage floor). And one additional question -- should the overflow reservoir tank be topped-up when refilling the radiator prior to starting the air bleeding process, or should the reservoir be topped-up afterwards so that the coolant in the radiator has had a chance to cool down and "settle"? I've read conflicting opinions about this, but not from any experienced LS430 owners. Thanks!

 

I've never used it but Lisle makes good products and I wanted one I would buy theirs. I would top off the reservoir after the burping and purging is done You do not want to overpressurize the system with no place for coolant to go.

 

Thanks for the reply Tom, I appreciate it.

 

I think you're overthinking this.
The LS, even early 400's, cooling system is well over-engineered. It's fairly difficult to overheat. You shouldn't need a fancy funnel but it's your money. The system will bleed itself with a little time just don't take off on a cross country drive until it does. When the cooling system has bled itself of any air the overflow reservoir should be approx 1/3 full when the engine is cool. Once the engine warms up and fluid expands the surplus volume moves to the reservoir. If the reservoir is already full when this happens it will be expelled to the ground.
If you're worried about keeping your garage floor dry do the work in your driveway. Maybe hose it down first so any expelled fluid can be washed away easily.

 

Bradland has great points above, but if you want to get one of those funnels, Lisle is what is in my toolbox and has been for the last 10 years or so.

 

Thanks for the recommendation, sounds like you've gotten your money's worth out of that Lisle no-spill funnel!

 

Hello, I've been in a body shop for the last 10 years of my life, so I've done many rad/condenser replacements that go along with front end hits. Best thing I've used has been the Airlift vacuum filler. Basically, it uses compressed air and venturi effect to draw a vacuum on the cooling system. So, you hook up shop air, if you have it, hook up to rad filler, open a valve to put a vacuum on the system, and you'll see the rad hoses collapse, you leave it on for a minute to reach max vacuum, and then close the valve. Then you can watch the vacuum gauge to see if there's any leaks in the system if the gauge goes back to 0. Then, connect coolant intake hose, put in clean 5gal bucket with your coolant/water mixture open the 2nd valve to let coolant flow into the vacuumed system. Should be the last thing you have to do, as opposed to running it with rad cap off, burping...etc. I haven't done this on my 430 yet, but have used on MANY other cars with 0 issues! Used on many BMWs, Audis, VWs, MBs, Nissans, Toyotas...etc. Have done all the coolant flushes on my previous Crown Vic with it, and all the cooling system maintenance on my Hyundai Santa Fe with it. I have an OLD Airlift brand one that was used by another tech, then my brother now me. Other places make them, and most have a universal radiator fitting and other common fittings to fit most radiators. I understand if you don't want to spend the $ on it, but, its the fastest/easiest/cleanest way do do a rad flush/fill or replacement of anything on a cooling system. if you plan on doing any of this stuff in the future, its way worth it IMO. The Lisle rad filler has been used in the shop I'm in and seems to work pretty well also. Lisle's USA made tools are all pretty good, have a bunch of their tools, and don't have issues with them. I can describe in more detail if interested...
Coolant isn't too bad to replace doing with the no-spill funnels or even the old school ways after you've done it a few times.
Colby

 

I've got the Lisle and it's worth the $30-40, imo. Definitely helps speed up the bleeding process and gets more air out of the system with how these types of funnels work. And any left over coolant in the funnel can easily be used to fill the overflow after you finish bleeding. If you do it that way, I recommend filling the overflow to full then putting the cap on the radiator and allowing it to cool completely. It should draw the overflow down as the coolant cools and contracts in the system.

 

Overthinking. Just cut the end off a plastic water bottle or 2L soda bottle and wipe away any plastic bits, or use any clean random funnel that fits into the radiator fill hole, lay down some rags or paper towel to absorb accidents.

Every second year or so for the past 14 years, I've drained just the radiator (not bothering with the two difficult-to-reach engine drain plugs) and refilled with Toyota pink SLLC, using the top of whatever clean bottle I have in my recycling bin that week as a funnel. 14 years and never had any issues, this cooling system burps itself using the unpressurized overflow reservoir, which you should top up to the MAX line when you refill.