markpaco

When I changed my oil today I noticed some dried red stuff on the bottom of the pan. I was pretty sure it was dried coolant since it is the only thing that would leave a red residue on the car. When I pulled a splash shield I saw that the freeze plug next to the oil filter was leaking. I am going to take it in to have Lexus fix it since the car is under warranty. Should be a simple fix but I might as well take advantage of the warranty. Plus I can check out the new IS.

So my question is: Has anyone had this problem?

Car is a 2004, is 25 months old, with 26k miles.

NeverSatisfied

markpaco: Howzit! Where in Hawaii are you?

Anyway, I had the coolant leak as well, but I had the green puddle in my garage. It took the service dept. twice to fix it. Some hose or something was leaking. I have an '04 as well, and it happened around 25K miles or so.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I'm about to change my oil tomorrow so I'll be sure to check that plug for leaks. I haven't noticed anything yet though.

markpaco

I am on Oahu. I guess my car is a 'rare' AWD model. I guess Servco doesn't bring many of them here.

How come you have green coolant? Toyotas usually have the red stuff. Have you had it flushed in the past?

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I just changed my RX330 oil and my plug is okay for now. However, I just changed oil on my SC400 and noticed coolant just starting to seep out of that similar plug on the SC. By the way I'm on Oahu as well.

markpaco

I got a call from Lexus saying that they did a pressure check on the system and it was fine. So they did not fix the leak . It is obviously leaking but apparently, they won't fix it unless it is affecting the system. I don't really care because if it continues to leak I will bring it back in.

They supposedly fixed a groaning noise from the A/C system though. It would occur after the car is warm during low speed with the A/C on. It sounded more like a power steering pump going bad to me. But they said that there is a TSB regarding a A/C hose groaning sound. They install a rubber isolator on the A/C hose bracket to dampen the vibration. Hopefully it solves the problem.

NeverSatisfied

I have no idea, but I know for sure it was green. I just had a flush done for my 30K service.

rxdriver

Yes, I found that I had the exact same problem today on my 2004 RX330 with 26,000 miles.

It's a very small leak. The way I noticed it was that the car was sitting for about 2 weeks while I was driving another vehicle. When I pulled the RX out of the garage, there was a small but noteworthy puddle of coolant on the floor. The leak is slow enough such that you probably won't notice it under normal driving conditions. Warming up the engine every day must evaporate the coolant before it gets all the way out of the engine compartment.

Just like the picture shows, it's pretty obvious once you go looking for it.

compdr59

I have a 2004 RX330 and I noticed my coolant level was low. When I finally went to change my oil, I noticed the exact same leak around that plate. Is there a gasket that needs to be replaced? Is there another one on the rear side of the engine? Since the car is 5 years old and almost 60k miles I think it's time to flush the coolant. Any issues w/ aftermarket anti-freeze?

mandyfig

Never use fluid other than Toyota Long Life. Also, there is an extended warranty on radiator on the RX330 because of the TSB. Check with your dealer. Again use Toyota Long Life fluid, the red one. They are not expensive, same price as the other fluids.

bbanda24

I was getting my oil change done yesterday and my husband noticed that their was red dried coolant. He seems to think that it is leaking from the freeze plug. I called Toyota and they just refered me to Lexus that because they dont carry these parts anyways. This is not the same Toyota I bought my RX from. I called them and they charge me $49 to check it out, is this really a common problem? Does any one know about how much I am looking at for repair cost?

markpaco

Toyota should be able to fix it for you since the motor is common with the Camry, Sienna, and Highlander.

I don't know the actual cost since it was taken cared of by the warranty but I don't expect it to exceed $150 for parts and labor. You can probably even do it youself.

mandyfig

This thread blew me away....was not paying attention on the dates....

OP 10/08/05 markpaco talking about the car, an 04 being 2 years old....

last post was 10/27/05

then 08/08/09.....

4 years later, markpaco replied....

Awesome!

rcy

That hole (behind the leaking cover) is where the block heater goes, if you have one installed. I know because I installed mine myself and it was a PITA getting that plate and the two mounting bolts out. There was lots of sealant behind it - surprised yours leaked acutally - maybe the sealant dried out, or there wasn't enough put there when the engine was built.

Anyway, if you're in a cold climate, and you have this leaking cover, it would be a perfect time to install a block heater.

That's not a freeze plug btw. A freeze plug is designed to pop out if the coolant should ever freeze. In most cars, what people mistakenly call freeze plugs are in fact core plugs. They are usually pressed into the hole (the hole is a casting hole from when the block was formed).

This thing Toyota has is bolted on - no way it's moving if the coolant freezes. I suppose it might be Toyota's version of a core plug, but bolted on instead of pressed in? Or maybe Toyota designed it specifically for a block heater for the cold climate sales?

salimshah

markpaco's location says Hawaii. Very little need for a block heater for him.

Salim