Bocatrip

I have either a radiatior leak or reservoir leak. What should be the approximate cost to fix each one? Going to my local shop to determine where it might be leaking. Thanks all.

Tom57

If it's a radiator, suggest you buy one on Amazon for about $100. (The radiator is combined plastic and aluminum and can't really be repaired.) Either DIY, or bring it to your local shop for installation. Pick-up antifreeze from your Toyota (not Lexus) dealer.

volson

There are a lot of other places it can be leaking. Mine is a joint behind the thermostat housing. Get in there and peek around.

Bocatrip

I left the car at Lexus. The coolant reservoir tank is stained everywhere and wet across the top seam. There are stains going all the way down the fan shroud. Unfortunately the reservoir is also part of the fan shrouds as one piece. I'll find out tomorrow the damage. My local mechanic was too busy to look at my car and at least with Lexus they give me a loaner which is worth alot. They are SUPER expensive this the OEM radiator but I know they offer an aftermarket for about half the price. I'll find out tomorrow morning what's up and report back. Rock Auto offers the Denso Radiator for $100 and change, but I hate giving parts to a shop because if there is any issue whatsoever, I incur the cost...

Bocatrip

UPDATE: Turns out the radiatior was cracked on the upper left hand side. The Lexus dealer wanted a whopping $917+Tax to replace the radiator with a Denso aftermarket unit. I pulled the car and took it to another local Lexus dealer which agreed to replace it with the same Denso aftermarket as well as a thermostat for $500 less a 15% Coupon. It's amazing how these dealerships vary in their pricing.

Tom57

How old is your antifreeze? Consider having them flush and replace with new pink coolant.

Bocatrip

I have the Red coolant in there now. I assume they will refill with the same red as I believe you can't mix the two.

Tom57

Red/pink = same. I was suggesting a complete flush if the coolant is old.

Bocatrip

Tom57. Went to pick up my car and that is exactly what they did. They flushed out the Toyota Red and replaced with the pink. However they did not replace the thermostat which I requested and did not do a good job cleaning up the old coolant stains from the fan shroud. Not acceptable for Lexus service. I left the car there, they are replacing the thermostat at no charge, gave me a loaner with full tank and told me I can bring it back empty. I guess that is how Lexus tries to satisfy the customers. Anyway, it looks like I got the Pink Coolant afterall!

Bocatrip

Update part 2: After a fair amount of researching, I decided that Pink Coolant is not the way to go for the early Toyota/Lexus's.. The formula was changed in 2004 with the addition of pink but Red is still available for the earlier cars.. There is actually a different formula for the Long LIfe (Red) and the Super long life (pink)...consisting of 2 additional ingredients Reasearch on this forum can discuss this further. I called the dealer and told him I wanted the pink flushed out completely and replaced with the Red. Of course Lexus likes to accomodate and they are... I also confirmed that the aftermarket replacement radiator is a Denso which I'm happy about.... I'm very particular with my cars and even after 6 years of ownership, I expect all the maintenance on my trusty LS430 to be done to my expectations and correctly... Should be picking up the car tomorrow or the next day.. Still love this car after 6 years of ownership. What a machine!!!

lsdude

Which dealer did you take it? JM or Palm Beach?