ser67

Looks like I may have an expansion tank leak - antifreeze stains round the edge of the plastic and a drip stain on a pipe running underneath.

Lexus (UK) want about £500 to fit a new one - which seems a little pricey for a small plastic bottle - the part alone they say is £197

Can anyone tell me the job sheet time on this replacement, as £300 for labour charges on a job that seems simple.

The garage said bottle can't be fixed, as glue won't hold.

Anyone had similar and fixed it cheaply ??

mandyfig

Are you referring to the reservoir on top of the radiator? If you are that's bo...ocks!

If you go to the Sewell website, you can pull down what the cost is. CL members actually get a discount, too. Least gives you an idea. Certainly not 197 pounds.

Check it out.

A friend of mine's SC has a leak on his washer fluid reservoir, now's that's a job. The bumper has to come off.

cjs18

I think you are looking for p/n 16470-50120 (RADIATOR RESERVE TANK). Sewell doesn't actually show this for SC430 but it appears to be shared with GS models. I located this part at several websites ranging from about $60US (Sewell with CL member discount) to about $100US from a couple other online sellers. Certainly you'd want to double-check this part number with your dealer as there could be differences with European models. I removed and replaced this part from my car when I serviced the timing belt a while back and I don't recall any difficulties. I'd say you dealer is looking to make a little extra money.

ser67

Turns out the US and UK/Euro SC430's have a slightly different radiator setup with the UK/Euro models NOT having a pressure cap on the radiator itself but a straight feed into the RHS of the expansion bottle, and then the radiator cap is on the expansion bottle with the exit of that going back into the radiator.

So the expansion tank is a fully pressurised item ?

Not sure on the reason, but probably to get the UK/Euro models up to temperature quicker with average temperatures in this continent maybe being colder.

The US models have same setup to APAC, according to the parts diagrams, with the specific reference to Australia and Hong-Kong made on the diagram, where the average temperatures are much higher.

The part is the same as pn the GS, as pointed out previously in this post, but if in the UK/Euro you will need 16470/50130 to get the right spec bottle to fit the radiator.

cjs18

You're right. The expansion reservoir on my US SC430 is clearly non-pressurized since the cap is just a plastic snap-on. Obviously this difference could account for the much higher price you're being quoted. In that respect it's unfortunate that the US and European cooling systems aren't similar but maybe some of the design differences could make it worthwhile. Attached is a page or two from the European documentation for the SC that offer some additional explanation. Thanks for pointing out this important difference in non-US models.

jzwu

Sounds like the UK/EU sc430 expansion tanks is like that on the BMW. It is pressurized, thus more expensive and it is also more difficult to replace due to potential leak under pressure.

Jeffers

If you look on Ebay u.k. there is a breakers breaking a 2002 sc. I've purchased a couple of items from him and he has quick delivery. If you don't want to pay for a new one then he may well still have the expansion tank on this car - £500 seems like a lot of cash for a new one. Contact numbers for breaker are 01636 707090 or 07929208130

ser67

Thanks everyone - but as its a pressurised expansion tank (unlike the US) I'll be getting a new one.

I've tried about 3 UK Lexus dealers and the part price is consistent at about £190 to £199, and I've found a decent garage who realise its a simple repair so I'm now paying around £260 to get the job done - which seems fair and offers me some peace of mind with a warranty around the repair.

mandyfig

Take pics and post please so we can understand the difference bet US and UK SC's. Thanks.

jzwu

I wonder why German cars/euro requiring the pressurized expansion tank. I know the BMW expansion tank is a trouble spot in the cooling system and a pain to replace.

The US/Japan unpressurized tank with the pressurized radiator works just fine.

Any expert can provide some technical insight?

ser67

I think the reasons for the two types is around getting the EU cars up to working temperature quicker (colder average temperatures) and keeping the US/APAC cars cooler for longer (with higher average temperatures)

Specialist vehicles - such as Lotus - have a different setup for the APAC regions which mainly involve a different spec thermostat to keep the temperatures a degree or two cooler.

It may also come down to the bean counters having a say in this as well - but I'll take a pic of the setup - and the old tank as well - and find a way to post up.

mandyfig

Just go to "Go Advanced" and upload attachment for your photos.

WIL44

Now come on Mandy, surely bo..ocks is a lovely English expletive not one of yours.

mandyfig

Sure is, LOL!

ser67

As per thread trail, I've attached some pictures of the UK expansion tank - which is pressurised and not an overflow tank.

You will see the radiator has no pressure cap - instead its on the tank.

Cheers
Shaun