Have noticed some pink fluid seeping around top of radiator, which has created a bit of a mess in the engine bay. Is this indicative of a radiator leak? I don't see any visible cracks, however not much of the radiator is viewable. If replacement is necessary, what OEM alternates are recommended? car is running fine and not overheating. It's an '02 sc430 with 171K miles.
View 14 RepliesOne of many issues I need to fix - headlight washer fluid cover seems to be stuck open. i applied moderate force to push it back in, but it did not move, and i do not want to risk breaking it.
I'm thinking some wiring isn't right, maybe connectors never got reconnected.. the auto adjusting headlights don't work either, and the washer fluid line from the firewall that runs to the washer fluid tank was hastily crimped on due to the plastic hose fitting being most likely broken off or lost. Does the bumper need to come off to mess with it? guessing yes.
Our 1997 Grand Caravan with 170K has transmission fluid seeping from the outer seal where the left driveshaft connects to the transaxle. Is there a stop leak liquid that can be added to the transmission fluid safely? Is replacing the seal a major expense?
View 2 RepliesJust wondering if there's been any incident where the coolant in the SC430 is leaked into the gearbox at the radiator. I mean, these cars do have the transmission fluid running through the radiator, right? I've read that this occurs a lot on LS430 and many Mercedes models.
Would it be a good preventive measure to replace the radiator anyway? Or, is it ok to wait till there're signs of such leakage (if it doesn't usually begin as a major leak)?
Found a puddle under the X last weekend. I thought it was the pan gasket when I got under her but much to my dismay, it was not. Fluid was actually seeping from between the extension unit and the tranny. Would this just be the gasket between the two?
View 5 RepliesMy Radiator fell inside the car I tried to pick it back up but its hooked on something in the bottom and I can move it. Not even sure how are why it would fall. is there some kinda of bracket that holds in place or a bolt?
View 6 RepliesI went for a hour drive tonight after i brought car back to garage i could smell a distinct odor of anti freeze or fumes that would exit the radiator. I checked under the car no leak i looked in the engine compartment looking for perhaps a spill of antifreeze that might be resting on top of the front engine pan. I could not find any liquid.
The temp gauge when i was driving was a bit below mid way it usually as I remember is there or a bit lower. Where the smell is coming from I had the heat on for a bit in the car while top was down and i have no leaks in the interior of the car . The car is a 2005 I have 5940 miles on it . I bought it new in 2005 and I only drive it in good weather and on weekends .
I have not had any major service since the mileage is so low other then state inspections oil and filter regular changes done once a year Mobil 1 . Should I consider flushing the radiator and changing the anti freeze. As I said I don't drive it on long runs but I do use it a bit around town. When I lift the hood i can smell the anti freeze but cant find any.
What to look for. The coolant overflow reservoir cover was in place and all hoses looked good and there was some residual coolant in the tank as there should be and i could not see any steam or vapor coming off these parts.
Every morning I walk out into my driveway and I see several pink drips under the front of my truck. I assume this is the antifreeze, its not tranny fluid.
View 14 RepliesIs there a write up on how to change the brake fluid or is it the typical pump, hold, then open and close the valve on the caliper from farthest to closest? Also, is it ok to use dot4 super blue fluid and do we have a vendor that sells SS Brake lines?
View 11 RepliesI have noticed a few drops of red liquid on the driveway lately, presumably transmission fluid leaking. Where the leak typically starts, if there is a "typical" leak. Is it generally an expensive fix?
View 2 RepliesWhat is the process for flushing the brake fluid for a 2007 or any other year from the Lexus Service Manual for our cars? I have read what I believe is the correct process on various threads but would prefer to read the service manual directly.
View 1 RepliesThe leak appears to originate somewhere around the master cylinder but I cannot locate the exact spot.
I noticed the problem when I started the car and it began to generate white smoke in the drivers side. I also knew it was not oil or ATF because brake fluid smells different. I pulled the cover by the master cylinder (MC) and could see an area that was wet under the MC.
I may have a reservoir leak but I cannot pinpoint at this time. Photos will be provided later if I can take some that show the issue.. I do know they are expensive and I do know that Toyota and Lexus recalled several models for a leaky reservoir.
I have to keep topping my brake fluid up every 4 weeks, why I have to do this?
View 13 RepliesSo i noticed some red fluid on the garage floor where the gx parks. I narrowed it down to radiator fluid. Lower side drivers side radiator has some of this red in the corner. I don't see anything else leaking and the red drops are small. Is there something on that side that might be causing this besides radiator? A line that i cant see or noticed yet?
View 14 RepliesRaised car on jack stands. Totally level. Opened up the check cap, the one with the allen key.
5.5 cups of black fluid came out (car only has 25K miles on it).
After it finished draining from the check plug, I opened the drain plug. 4.5 cups came out.
Total of 10 cups. So it appears the trans had a little more than .5 qts too much. The shocker though is that the check plug let more than half of that drain out, so it appears tube inside the pan is defective and I'm going to have to make sure to put just the specified amount of fluid back in and hope for the best.
I'm wondering if I should just put back exactly the amount that came out which would be 2.5 qts rather than the specified 1.9 qts.
The low wiper fluid warning light on my 2004 SC 430 will not go out. The fluid ran out after I was adjusting the spray to properly hit the windshield. After I refilled the fluid reservoir the warning light would not go out. Any way, besides "remove the bulb?"
View 7 RepliesJust fired up my 2002 SC430 (115k miles) for the first time this year, so it's stood for over six months. Connected fresh battery, checked all fluid levels etc. Runs fine and purrs like a kitty BUT I'm getting a loud intermittent squeal (like you might get with a sticky pump or a slipping belt). Almost like a loud "meow" in duration & tone. So loud it can be heard from 20' away. Sometimes once per minute or two, sometime several times in a row then silence for a few minutes.
This is from the area where the Brake Fluid Reservoir is (on Right Hand Drive SC430 this is right by the Windscreen on the left hand side of the engine bay as you look at it from the front of the car (may be reversed on Left Hand drive models). Directly in front of the Steering Wheel.
(ABS) check light is on. Also "VSC" & "VSC off" check lights on (probably related to ABS being in check and VSC button does nothing to clear those lights). Also getting the buzzer alarm from the dash. Pumping the brake pedal and driving the car forward/back 10' several times on the driveway doesn't clear this.
Now, this may be that the Brake Pads have bound to the Discs (Rotors to you left-pondians). I may need to pop the wheels off and free up the Pads in that case.
I have a 04' RX 330 with 92k. It has small radiator leak. If you are standing in front of the car and look below the fan on the left side of the radiator you can see a small amount of red fluid that has leaked out of the radiator. However, the leak isn't big enough that I ever have to add coolant I just top it off when I get the oil changed. Also it doesn't puddle on the pavement when parked.
The only thing I really notice is that my windows tend fog abit easier now so I assuming the moisture must be making its way into the ventalation somehow. My mechanic said its about a $700 repair. My question should I fix it and is $700 reasonable. Also I've never had the timing belt replaced would it make since do have this done at the same time as the radiator. How long will it take before it becomes a major problem instead of a minor annoyance?
Just got my second sc, after I crashed my first one and the little button that releases the wiper fluid to clean the windshield is gone, how I can find such a small part? Does the sc300/400 use the same wiper lever/arm as ours?
View 5 RepliesMy car is in the shop and has a leak at the Power Steering Pump. The rubber O-ring on the Power Steering Pump Solenoid Valve (p/n 4417030120) is leaking fluid. The Solenoid Valve is ok, just the Rubber O-ring is bad, but it looks like you have to buy a complete new Solenoid Valve to get the O-ring (a lotta bucks).
I did find a Lexus Power Steering Pump rebuild kit online at, but I can't see if it includes the solenoid valve o-ring or not. Have to replace their solenoid valve o-ring?
I have a 2000 lexus rx300. the steering rack was replaced 2yrs/20k ago. now, there is very slight seeping of fluid. only noticeable on on the boot and never drips onto the floor. i took it back to the dealer and they said that is normal and after 2yrs it's in very good shape. i question why if the seals are working properly then should i see this?
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