RX - 3rd Gen (2010-2015) Discussion topics related to the 2010 - 2015 RX350 and RX450H models

Antifreeze

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-18-13, 03:43 PM
  #1  
bill77056
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
bill77056's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: tx
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Antifreeze

The coolant reservoir is getting close to the add mark.

Does the top-off antifreeze need to be purchased at a Lexus/Toyota dealership?

TIA
Old 02-18-13, 04:06 PM
  #2  
RX330inFL
Lead Lap
 
RX330inFL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: FL
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 26 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bill77056
The coolant reservoir is getting close to the add mark.

Does the top-off antifreeze need to be purchased at a Lexus/Toyota dealership?

TIA
Just mention it to the service writer next time you are at the dealership and they should take care of topping that off for you. No reason to purchase a gallon when it is not needed.
Old 02-18-13, 07:22 PM
  #3  
Cruiter
Pole Position
 
Cruiter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GA
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

Make sure you check it when it's warm. When it's cold, it will be closer to the add mark. But if it really is low, like bill said, get it checked.
Old 02-19-13, 06:21 AM
  #4  
Sevn86
Pole Position
 
Sevn86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,238
Received 84 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

I thought the dealership would top that off (if needed) when you go for an oil change? My Toyota dealership does.
Old 02-19-13, 07:36 AM
  #5  
deilenberg
Rookie
 
deilenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NJ - NEW JERSEY
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My question to the dealership would be -- where is the coolant going? A cooling system on any modern car is a closed system (or is supposed to be) that should never need "topping" up. The coolant can't evaporate, the engine doesn't "burn" it and the only way the level will drop is if you have a leak.

I don't allow leaks in my vehicles. It took almost 2 years of visits to my Porsche dealer to solve one on the Cayenne that only leaked about 0.5oz per month - but I could smell the coolant and that bothered me. Thanks to CPO warranty and a determined service manager - they finally tracked it down to a small porous spot on the rear of an aluminum coolant manifold between the two banks of the V8. It now doesn't need "topping up" and I no longer smell coolant.

Leaks rarely fix themselves.. if you're under warranty bug your service department and tell them that losing coolant is unacceptable.
Old 02-19-13, 05:57 PM
  #6  
chuckGS350
Intermediate
 
chuckGS350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 475
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by deilenberg
My question to the dealership would be -- where is the coolant going? A cooling system on any modern car is a closed system (or is supposed to be) that should never need "topping" up. The coolant can't evaporate, the engine doesn't "burn" it and the only way the level will drop is if you have a leak.

I don't allow leaks in my vehicles. It took almost 2 years of visits to my Porsche dealer to solve one on the Cayenne that only leaked about 0.5oz per month - but I could smell the coolant and that bothered me. Thanks to CPO warranty and a determined service manager - they finally tracked it down to a small porous spot on the rear of an aluminum coolant manifold between the two banks of the V8. It now doesn't need "topping up" and I no longer smell coolant.

Leaks rarely fix themselves.. if you're under warranty bug your service department and tell them that losing coolant is unacceptable.
How did they fix it?
Old 02-19-13, 06:02 PM
  #7  
chuckGS350
Intermediate
 
chuckGS350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 475
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bill77056
The coolant reservoir is getting close to the add mark.

Does the top-off antifreeze need to be purchased at a Lexus/Toyota dealership?

TIA
Check for any leak around the water pump area.
2011 and older models have issue with the water pump.
Old 02-19-13, 07:01 PM
  #8  
m1964
Intermediate
 
m1964's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 280
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by deilenberg
My question to the dealership would be -- where is the coolant going? A cooling system on any modern car is a closed system (or is supposed to be) that should never need "topping" up. The coolant can't evaporate, the engine doesn't "burn" it and the only way the level will drop is if you have a leak....
The coolant has some water in it, so it can evaporate-many manufacturers now put only as little fluid as need not to trigger warning light. SO if even minute amount evaporates the level is down to minimum mark...
Old 02-21-13, 01:31 PM
  #9  
bill77056
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
bill77056's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: tx
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Dealer just did oil change; I was checking fluid levels and noticed low coolant.

Appreciate the comment, I will inquire if they will top-off.
Old 02-21-13, 07:48 PM
  #10  
deilenberg
Rookie
 
deilenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NJ - NEW JERSEY
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by chuckGS350
How did they fix it?
They replaced the casting that went between the two cylinder heads. Not an easy job - it was sort of wedged between the rear of the heads and the firewall, and had a lot of other plumbing and sensors attached to it.

Since then - no smell, no leak, no adding coolant.
Old 02-21-13, 07:51 PM
  #11  
deilenberg
Rookie
 
deilenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NJ - NEW JERSEY
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by m1964
The coolant has some water in it, so it can evaporate-many manufacturers now put only as little fluid as need not to trigger warning light. SO if even minute amount evaporates the level is down to minimum mark...
It could only evaporate in an open system. A pressurized system should never release any vapor to the atmosphere unless the vehicle overheats. That's part of the reason for a pressurized system, and the coolant reservoir tank. In the rare periods when something coolant related isn't leaking on my BMWs, I'll go several years with the level never changing. If it does start to change, it's time for me to look for the leak, and I always seem to find one.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lexuspower
LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017)
12
03-07-24 06:37 AM
jdanielca
LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017)
8
07-04-19 02:57 AM
Werner05
Car Chat
6
06-11-16 10:53 AM
skelow401
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
16
11-25-13 10:12 AM
nmikmik
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
4
05-22-12 05:57 PM



Quick Reply: Antifreeze



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:54 AM.