'05 RX330 blows hot air inconsistently
#16
Registered User
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Good luck on getting your car fixed.
I have been on the Clublexus RX Forums since I bought my first RX300 in 2004. And I have never heard of a Heater Core going bad.
Check your servos. If you take them loose. You can adjust them by hand. And see the difference in the air ouput.
It is a know problem on every model of Lexus cars.
I have been on the Clublexus RX Forums since I bought my first RX300 in 2004. And I have never heard of a Heater Core going bad.
Check your servos. If you take them loose. You can adjust them by hand. And see the difference in the air ouput.
It is a know problem on every model of Lexus cars.
#17
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Thanks, MC5Wes.. Took the car to a mechanic today who looked at it briefly; he thinks it's either the thermostat, water pump (replaced 15k miles ago with timing belt), or a blocked heater core. Called another mechanic who was recommended and he said 9 times out of 10, flushing the heater core takes care of the problem. Big bucks if the heater core is leaking. I too thought it might be a servo; probably the cooling servo. What symptoms did you have that led you to the servo motors?
Will take it to the 2nd mechanic in a few days and get an assessment. From what I've read on this forum, repair/replacing the heater core is a huge job, so hoping it isn't that....
Will take it to the 2nd mechanic in a few days and get an assessment. From what I've read on this forum, repair/replacing the heater core is a huge job, so hoping it isn't that....
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
It doesn't mean they are wrong, but usually a person doesn't take into consideration whatever he/she doesn't understand.
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
So be careful, ask a proof that this is the exact issue.
BTW, those servos and small gears wear up and some people complain about unstable heating/cooling because of them at older cars, especially when owner always sets up climate control on auto.
Good luck with fixing the issue.
#18
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
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Mechanics say whatever they able to do - they usually not good with electronics, computers or small mechanics (like servo motors and air doors mechanics). But they can flash coolant or replace radiator easily. ![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
It doesn't mean they are wrong, but usually a person doesn't take into consideration whatever he/she doesn't understand.![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
So be careful, ask a proof that this is the exact issue.
BTW, those servos and small gears wear up and some people complain about unstable heating/cooling because of them at older cars, especially when owner always sets up climate control on auto.
Good luck with fixing the issue.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
It doesn't mean they are wrong, but usually a person doesn't take into consideration whatever he/she doesn't understand.
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
So be careful, ask a proof that this is the exact issue.
BTW, those servos and small gears wear up and some people complain about unstable heating/cooling because of them at older cars, especially when owner always sets up climate control on auto.
Good luck with fixing the issue.
Question now is: do I replace the radiator or try to have it repaired? Thoughts? Thanks.
#19
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Thanks, Gusar. Took car back to the mechanic. Seemed fairly clear that the coolant filled last Monday had run to low 9 days later. He says it's the radiator, leaking on the side. Said he can see the coolant running down. And his wife has a Sienna and hers is leaking in the exact same way.... Heat is fine when there is coolant; iffy when it is low, so I guess this is the answer.
Question now is: do I replace the radiator or try to have it repaired? Thoughts? Thanks.
Question now is: do I replace the radiator or try to have it repaired? Thoughts? Thanks.
#20
Moderator
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There is a TSB on this. Have the dealer run the VIN number on the car. If covered they would replace it for free. See more info on this posting:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ator-leak.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ator-leak.html
#21
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
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Gusar, thanks for the suggestion of the air pockets but unfortunately I have seen the evidence of a leak.. and two mechanics have confirmed it now (I seek 2nd opinions for major repairs since I don't have much knowledge). Have filled up coolant 4 times in the past 2 weeks. Is low again after 3-4 days. Am having radiator replaced today or tomorrow.
Rainbird, thanks - I did call 800-Lexus and my vehicle is one of the affected ones, but they won't help because it is out of warranty. Oh well.....
Rainbird, thanks - I did call 800-Lexus and my vehicle is one of the affected ones, but they won't help because it is out of warranty. Oh well.....
#22
Lexus Test Driver
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Gusar, thanks for the suggestion of the air pockets but unfortunately I have seen the evidence of a leak.. and two mechanics have confirmed it now (I seek 2nd opinions for major repairs since I don't have much knowledge). Have filled up coolant 4 times in the past 2 weeks. Is low again after 3-4 days. Am having radiator replaced today or tomorrow.
Rainbird, thanks - I did call 800-Lexus and my vehicle is one of the affected ones, but they won't help because it is out of warranty. Oh well.....
Rainbird, thanks - I did call 800-Lexus and my vehicle is one of the affected ones, but they won't help because it is out of warranty. Oh well.....
#24
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Gusar, thanks for the suggestion of the air pockets but unfortunately I have seen the evidence of a leak.. and two mechanics have confirmed it now (I seek 2nd opinions for major repairs since I don't have much knowledge). Have filled up coolant 4 times in the past 2 weeks. Is low again after 3-4 days. Am having radiator replaced today or tomorrow.
Rainbird, thanks - I did call 800-Lexus and my vehicle is one of the affected ones, but they won't help because it is out of warranty. Oh well.....
Rainbird, thanks - I did call 800-Lexus and my vehicle is one of the affected ones, but they won't help because it is out of warranty. Oh well.....
#26
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
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I think the first mechanic I took it to did this; at any rate they showed me where the coolant is leaking on the side of the radiator. And it has been filled several times in the past few weeks, only to drop to low within a week....
#27
Instructor
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I am going to first apologize for not reading this entire post through but I honestly just want to tell you how I fixed this issue on my car and if it has already been explained, i'm sorry.
Went to mechanic, told him what was happening (hot blows sometimes) no pun intended, and he checked coolant... Coolant happened to be very low, he filled said coolant and now hot air all the time...
-Joe
Went to mechanic, told him what was happening (hot blows sometimes) no pun intended, and he checked coolant... Coolant happened to be very low, he filled said coolant and now hot air all the time...
-Joe
#28
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
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I am going to first apologize for not reading this entire post through but I honestly just want to tell you how I fixed this issue on my car and if it has already been explained, i'm sorry.
Went to mechanic, told him what was happening (hot blows sometimes) no pun intended, and he checked coolant... Coolant happened to be very low, he filled said coolant and now hot air all the time...
-Joe
Went to mechanic, told him what was happening (hot blows sometimes) no pun intended, and he checked coolant... Coolant happened to be very low, he filled said coolant and now hot air all the time...
-Joe
#29
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
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Have gone back to mechanic twice since Saturday (every 2 days) for a small amount of coolant and to have him check it. He says is definitely not leaking but apparently needs to add coolant a few times to fill up all the pipes. Does this sound right?
(Btw, I watched the whole job, the part before installed, etc. Seemed he did a thorough job of it. ) Thanks.
(Btw, I watched the whole job, the part before installed, etc. Seemed he did a thorough job of it. ) Thanks.
#30
Registered User
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There is a special way to flush out and service the Lexus coolant. To get rid of the air in the system.
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/cooling/coolant.html
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/cooling/coolant.html