CSA

Is there a consensus about the typical lifespan of the factory radiators in these cars? In other words, is a replacement a preventative maintenance item? Both of my Land Cruisers (a 90 and a 96) were in clear need of replacement radiators at about 170k miles.

Thecar

Even on the BMW I had (known for radiator leaks) I never considered replacing the radiator as a preventative measure. I figured that significant leaks are so obvious that I just checked it regularly.

That said, radiators tend to be easy to replace and not too expensive, so if you are looking for peace of mind and can turn a wrench then doing the radiator yourself might be worthwhile for peace of mind.

EDIT: Also, if you are nearing the time for a timing belt, you could easily do the radiator since it has to come out anyway.

Romanova

The radiator on my ES330 is 15 years old now and still going strong at 130k. It's been a TX car the whole time, so its been subjected to some brutal underhood temperatures. That being said, I'm preparing to replace the radiator, both hoses, clamps, and the thermostat here in a few weeks. Cheap insurance... those plastic end tanks don't last forever.

Striker223

I'm playing a game with mine currently, I have a brand new Lexus OE one in a box but am running my factory one till it blows. 214k miles and late 01 build date and the only thing in its favor is that the coolant was always kept up on this car. I bought the new one as a standard practice for a used car but when I did the belt the stock one was fine and my sadistic side started to wonder if it would be like an 80s landcruiser in terms of parts life.

We we shall see if it makes it through this belt or not

TominPT

Mine is original (05) and good at 125K, plan on changing it out at the second timing belt at 180K if it makes it that long (which for me will be around 5 years from now).

weldthedif

IT all depends on how often the coolant was changed in the car's lifetime

RA40

iTrader: (6)

The indy shop I use relayed to me that 160K-200K miles is typical lifespan on original radiators. Your discretion on replacement. If you are in that range with a big drive trip, this may be a reasonable measure to have the cooling system ready to go. Ours was at 200K when the technician noticed a leak at the tank seal during the timing belt service. YMMV

LEX ES300

I have a 2004 LS430 always running with oem parts and coolant. I recently had to replace the oem original radiator at 172,000kms as the radiator was starting to leak very slowly from the top seams.
I replaced it with a brand new original one as I personally wouldn't trust aftermarket ones as the weather gets very very hot where I live and I cant afford a premature failure to happen.

rmawyer

FWIW, Just did ours on the 2002 at 106k. Sudden onset from what we could tell.

Just got another, 2006, with similar miles, so watching it.

Bocatrip

120,000-150,000 before the top seam splits. It’s not if but when. If I had excessive miles I would not take an extended trip. Not worth an engine. Around town is fine.

Hotboy1

Does that go for all LS models? I've got a '97 with 240K and no problems that I can see.

CSA

As Lexus parts go, the price is pretty reasonable - $312.70 from Longo Lexus, for instance. https://parts.longolexus.com/oem-par...QtM2wtdjgtZ2Fz

For that kind of coin, I'm inclined to replace it as preventative maintenance. I've got a trip to Vegas coming up, and the car will likely experience very hot temperatures.

rkw77080

If your car is driven largely in the warmer part of the country, the radiator "With Tow Package" is more appropriate. It has a thicker core and is able to shed more heat when required (when the thermostat is running full open). It will not impact heater performance in the winter.

Bocatrip

The LS430.

Johnhav430

Agreed, my BMW is a 2007 I don't drive around with a spare radiator and extra water pump [original at this time, and the line that runs across the top of the rad to the fill gets brittle and breaks too] (my cousin did in his 535xi wagon and his wife finally told him get it out of the car it's been 3 years taking up space).

Another topic few here will agree with but a person bought the Rock Auto Denso and one from the dealer and put it to bed whether they are even close to being the same. The former is aftermarket, the latter is OE. Seems like folks here gravitate to the < $80 radiator where they see the word "tow package." Someone correct me but there's no such thing, right, where like with a Suburban or Expedition you choose the tow package and it comes with a class III hitch, beefed up radiator and trans cooling etc.? I could be wrong. But the logic seems to be Tow means better and it costs less than non tow so get it.

At the same time on my Nissan I bought a $70 radiator from amazon and it's been good 5.5 years. Depends on what one wants and how much they are willing to chance. Seemed to me the OE from the dealer made sense, and I usually don't go that route on an old car.