Lexus SC430 :: Fluid Leak In Brake System
Feb 25, 2015
The 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.
View 14 Replies
Advertisement
Is 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 Replies
What 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 Replies
I have to keep topping my brake fluid up every 4 weeks, why I have to do this?
View 13 Replies
Just 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.
View 2 Replies
My 2010 LX with approx 140K miles has a very small leak in the washer fluid system somewhere. (We think). Every 1500 miles or so I get the "Low washer fluid level" warning sign. Never got it in 6 years, but now it's every 1500 miles. Dealer could not find leak. (Maybe it leaks to slowly?) I hardly use the washer fluid, but it's annoying to override this message every time I start the car.
View 2 Replies
I 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 Replies
Raised 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.
View 1 Replies
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 Replies
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 Replies
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 Replies
I'm having some issues with my brake fluid going low every 2-3 weeks. I get the 3 beeps on the brake light and the flashing. Sometimes it's constant and flashes 15+ times. Sometimes it comes and goes throughout the day or even the week. After I fill up my fluid, it's fine. Usually, have to fill up a pretty good amount though. Almost a whole small bottle sometimes.
Obviously I'm having a leak but I'm not sure where. I'm a noob when it comes to brakes. My brakes work fine, clutch feels fine, etc.. I read around and was told it could be the clutch slave cylinder leaking, but is this common on the O2M? I looked at the lines around the master cylinder and nothing seems to be leaking. Also, I'm not noticing any brake fluid on my shoes or in the cabin. Any tips on what to check, what's common? Are the leaks most likely going to be in the engine bay?
View 2 Replies
One 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.
View 7 Replies
I had read in the forum that there is an aftermarket upgrade available that modifies the older ML system for Bluetooth, MP3, etc. best way to modify or upgrade the ML system.
View 6 Replies
Alright, Ive been working on this AC system for months and have exhausted the search function and my patience with this car.
Originally the AC wasn't working, self diagnostic test pulled code 00, compressor would kick on for about 10 seconds every time the car was started but never blow cold air.
Had an AC tech check it out, pressurize the system properly, didn't change anything at all.
Replaced the entire compressor set (expansion valve, etc…) and the AC still doesn't work, again it kicks on for the first 5-10 seconds when the car is started and this time it DOES blow cold but then shuts off. Self diagnostic code throws code 21 & 24 in both dark and full daylight.
Replaced the solar sensor today and the diagnostic code is gone (00), but nothing changed with the AC.
Pulled the low pressure switch and jumped it, again the compressor kicks on and then off after 10 seconds with the switch JUMPED!
Replaced the relay, no difference. Cleaned the air filter, no difference.
View 14 Replies
I have what I thought was an oil leak as I noticed some oil drippings in the garage virtually everyday. The last time I had the oil changed, I asked the Tech to take a look and see if he could tell where the drip was coming from. He told me he saw no evidence of a leak, however, there continues to be oil appearing on the garage floor.
Last week I took the car to the Lexus dealership in Smyrna, GA for some brake work and an alignment, and told them about the "leak" and asked them to take a look for me to see what is going on. They told me they found no evidence of a leak.
Fact is, oil is coming out of the car, slowly, but surely and two times I was told by those that had the car lifted that they can find no evidence. I assumed the dealership would find it, but no. What is going on?
View 8 Replies
My 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?
View 10 Replies
Just 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)?
View 5 Replies
I had a line blow on my steering rack, and I was taking it to the garage well I decided to add some power steering fluid but instead I added it to my brake system , (yes I know it was bonehead move on my part when I do know the difference). Any ways I drove my 2008 jeep liberty about 5 miles to the garage, they are changing my rack and pinion because the initial problem, but my question is do I bite the bullet and change the master cylinder, brake lines and calipers??? I do a lot of driving on highways , and I am been getting mixed answers yes change it all and no just flush it out.
View 9 Replies
I had been driving around with gallons of ATF in my trunk for a year until I recently had the power steering pump changed on my 1996 Toyota Camry (which spent many winters sitting outside up in Canada), and now the leak seems worse. I brought it to my mechanic who wants $800 to change a leaky rack & pinion and a hose. But I am but a poor, unfortunate grad student and so I have no more money to put on this old, yet beloved car! So he suggested I put in a combination of ATF and brake fluid, which might slow down the leak. What say you? Will I ruin my newly acquired power steering pump or make matters worse?
View 6 Replies
I replaced the brake shoes on my 99 Altima for the first time yesterday. Never done this job before. It went well except on the driver side, when I was pushing the piston back in to insert the new shoe, a little brake fluid leaked out of the seal on the wheel cylinder. Is this normal? I plan to check the brake fluid level over the next few days to see if it goes down. I'm worried I could have a dangerous leak.
View 19 Replies
