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.
I had a new radiator cap installed a month ago, the old cap was missing a seal. I then drained the coolant from the radiator and engine block two weeks ago, replaced it with 1 gallon red coolant and 1.5 gallons distilled water. Today I find this dried coolant spray everywhere, all the way back to the brake booster. Dried coolant pooled on top of reservoir and spray pattern indicate it came from the cap. Reservoir is empty so I added a half gallon of distilled water. What would be the cause of this? I watched it while the engine was running and hot and didn't see any leaks. The last photo is the underside of the radiator cover where it covers the cap. 2002, 158k miles, original radiator.
I guess it's a fairly common problem when you reach higher miles. There are two radiator options, with and without the towing package. Both work and the radiator with the towing package is cheaper, so I went that route. I bought a Denso replacement radiator from Parts Geek for under $100 shipped. They provide you with instructions and there's also a how-to youtube video. It was a fairly simple process and took a couple hours to complete.
I guess it's a fairly common problem when you reach higher miles. There are two radiator options, with and without the towing package. Both work and the radiator with the towing package is cheaper, so I went that route. I bought a Denso replacement radiator from Parts Geek for under $100 shipped. They provide you with instructions and there's also a how-to youtube video. It was a fairly simple process and took a couple hours to complete.
Sounds good, I'll get the tow package Denso from Rockauto, it's around $80 shipped. Can't beat that.
After you disconnect the transmission cooler hoses from the bottom of the radiator, you can plug them with a couple of ear plugs to stop the ATF from draining/leaking out.
After you disconnect the transmission cooler hoses from the bottom of the radiator, you can plug them with a couple of ear plugs to stop the ATF from draining/leaking out.
Good idea, thanks. And I did order new hoses with the radiator....
Also, you will find pieces of foam cushion on the edges of the existing radiator (towards the front of the car). I went to a home improvement store to try to find something similar, but I cannot find anything that large. Instead, I carefully cut mine off the old radiator and use contact cement to re-attach them onto the new radiator. These foam cushion prevent air flow going around the radiator through the sides.
I guess it's a fairly common problem when you reach higher miles. There are two radiator options, with and without the towing package. Both work and the radiator with the towing package is cheaper, so I went that route. I bought a Denso replacement radiator from Parts Geek for under $100 shipped. They provide you with instructions and there's also a how-to youtube video. It was a fairly simple process and took a couple hours to complete.
I don't think that's common. Doesn't show in consumer reports. My first 04 ls430 had 196,000 miles, no radiator issue. The one I have now, 172,000 04 no issues either.
Welp, the radiator was indeed cracked, it had a crack in the plastic top piece running horizontally about an inch below the radiator cap. I installed a Denso "tow package" unit which has more cooling capacity than the standard radiator and it dropped right in with no issues. Radiator was $75 from RockAuto.com.
awesome info! From time to time I notice coolant smell coming into the cabin.. but can't find a single leak anywhere under the hood.. of any kind of liquid.
awesome info! From time to time I notice coolant smell coming into the cabin.. but can't find a single leak anywhere under the hood.. of any kind of liquid.
Probably excess coolant that was spilled thats just evaporating with the temperature going up under the hood.
After going through the checklist on my ratty-ader I checked my friend's coolant in his 06 and the reservoir was empty.. .and I had to put in about 2 quarts into the ratty-ader.. he wasn't experiencing any overheating which I thought was strange.. but he did say that when he was running the heat in the car that it would turn to cold when he came to a stop light.
Classic symptoms of being low on fluid. It's Amazing how much fluid these engine can lose before they start running hot. Just another good reminder to check it every 3 moths or so.
01-18-15, 10:44 PM
Coolant spray everywhere, need new radiator?
