Coolant leaking on 2002 RX300
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The coolant level on my 2002 RX300 (95k) was low, so I filled it up Saturday morning when cold. My wife used the car Saturday. When I checked Sun morning, it was once again very low. No leaks on the newspapers below. Filled it up again. Car was not used all day. This morning, level still full. Obviously, its leaking while running. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot?
Appreciate any help!
Appreciate any help!
#2
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The first things to check are: (1) the engine oil to see if the coolant is going into the oil and (2) the exhaust for white smoke to see if it is being burned. After that, there is a device you can get to hand-pump the cooling system up to operating pressure and then see where the leak is. I don't know if these readily fit a Lexus. Maybe I'd try to check the water pump for signs of free-play in the bearings.
Note: these are general steps. I don't have any experience with this issue on a Lexus.
Note: these are general steps. I don't have any experience with this issue on a Lexus.
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The coolant level on my 2002 RX300 (95k) was low, so I filled it up Saturday morning when cold. My wife used the car Saturday. When I checked Sun morning, it was once again very low. No leaks on the newspapers below. Filled it up again. Car was not used all day. This morning, level still full. Obviously, its leaking while running. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot?
Appreciate any help!
Appreciate any help!
Last edited by lexus114; 12-01-08 at 06:54 AM.
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I second that opinion. Toyota red is expensive but you get what you pay for. That is the finest coolant I have seen in all my years working in automotive. I liked it so well I even changed my wife's '02 Camry from the pink extra long life to the red long life. You don't want that Prestone in a Toyota product. (yes it is a Toyota product)
#7
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The first things to check are: (1) the engine oil to see if the coolant is going into the oil and (2) the exhaust for white smoke to see if it is being burned. After that, there is a device you can get to hand-pump the cooling system up to operating pressure and then see where the leak is. I don't know if these readily fit a Lexus. Maybe I'd try to check the water pump for signs of free-play in the bearings.
Note: these are general steps. I don't have any experience with this issue on a Lexus.
Note: these are general steps. I don't have any experience with this issue on a Lexus.
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To update on my original post from last week......Lexus of Memphis took a look at the 2002 RX300 early this week. They could not find a leak in the coolant system nor did they see any anti-freeze in the oil. Went ahead with the 90k major service. As luck would have it, received a 20% off coupon for major service from Lexus this week. Very timely!
Still can't figure out how the reservoir could almost completely drain after just one day of use after fill up, but if the dealership said it was ok, then this novice won't argue. I will look at the reservoir every few days for awhile just to make sure.
Appreciate everyone's comments and thoughts from last week!
David
Still can't figure out how the reservoir could almost completely drain after just one day of use after fill up, but if the dealership said it was ok, then this novice won't argue. I will look at the reservoir every few days for awhile just to make sure.
Appreciate everyone's comments and thoughts from last week!
David
#9
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To update on my original post from last week......Lexus of Memphis took a look at the 2002 RX300 early this week. They could not find a leak in the coolant system nor did they see any anti-freeze in the oil. Went ahead with the 90k major service. As luck would have it, received a 20% off coupon for major service from Lexus this week. Very timely!
Still can't figure out how the reservoir could almost completely drain after just one day of use after fill up, but if the dealership said it was ok, then this novice won't argue. I will look at the reservoir every few days for awhile just to make sure.
Appreciate everyone's comments and thoughts from last week!
David
Still can't figure out how the reservoir could almost completely drain after just one day of use after fill up, but if the dealership said it was ok, then this novice won't argue. I will look at the reservoir every few days for awhile just to make sure.
Appreciate everyone's comments and thoughts from last week!
David
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Lexus114:
So what do you do? Just live with it and check coolant every few days? Have you been doing this for a long time?
I looked this morning and it was down 2" from the full level. This is after Lexus took a look and found nothing suspect last week just before the 90k major service.
So what do you do? Just live with it and check coolant every few days? Have you been doing this for a long time?
I looked this morning and it was down 2" from the full level. This is after Lexus took a look and found nothing suspect last week just before the 90k major service.
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The heater core may be missing the fluid. As you run the heater, when season changes, the coolant level may drop.
Salim
Salim
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Lexus114:
So what do you do? Just live with it and check coolant every few days? Have you been doing this for a long time?
I looked this morning and it was down 2" from the full level. This is after Lexus took a look and found nothing suspect last week just before the 90k major service.
So what do you do? Just live with it and check coolant every few days? Have you been doing this for a long time?
I looked this morning and it was down 2" from the full level. This is after Lexus took a look and found nothing suspect last week just before the 90k major service.
#13
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Lexus114:
So what do you do? Just live with it and check coolant every few days? Have you been doing this for a long time?
I looked this morning and it was down 2" from the full level. This is after Lexus took a look and found nothing suspect last week just before the 90k major service.
So what do you do? Just live with it and check coolant every few days? Have you been doing this for a long time?
I looked this morning and it was down 2" from the full level. This is after Lexus took a look and found nothing suspect last week just before the 90k major service.
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