It appears you need to replace the valve cover gaskets, from the photo it doesn't appear the oil is leaking any higher than the VCG. They become brittle over time and lose their effectiveness for sealing, it's a common issue with age and mileage. You'll also need to replace the valve cover bolt...
One temporary fix is to set the recirculation button to "recirculation". It will stop the outside air from coming in to the cabin footwell. It's not a perfect solution as you may have to switch it back for a little while if the windows start fogging, but it will mostly solve the short term problem.
Remanufactured Denso unit is the best option. They don't make these OE alternators new anymore so every one is a reman unless it's a cheap knock-off. Denso seems to have the best track records and is OE.
But...you'll pay a LOT less on rockauto.com than at the chain stores. Example, a Denso...
Great info! Smart to go with a Denso unit, it'll live in there for many years and miles.
You can also take the alternator out from the top. it requires moving a few things around but it does come out from the top without any major disconnections, or removing anything that holds fluid.
The '99 LX470 has two temperature sensors. One for the dash gauge and a second for the ECU to "know" the engine temp.
My '99 LX470's temp never fluctuated, ever, rock solid after the initial climb during warm up.
But...how do you know the exact temp? The dash gauge doesn't show temps, it's...
I just realized I never replied back about the radiator replacement process. It was as easy and straightforward as the DIY link shows. Nothing complicated and just took a few hours from start to finish!
Looks exactly like the crimp is leaking. I'd talk to the Lexus dealer, this part is only a year old, no way it should fail that quick. You are only *barely* out of warranty on that part, I'd bet they'll do something. Maybe just ask for the part to be replaced and you can install it yourself...
Air in the system will get trapped at the "Tees" and cause the same condition as a leaking Tee, as it's the highest point in the system.
LX radiators also are prone to leaking where the plastic top and bottom caps are "crimped" to the aluminum body. it might be a replacement radiator, but if...
Correct, the system detects the temp of the engine coolant and manages the blower fan accordingly. There are TWO temp sensors on the engine, one for the temp gauge in the dashboard and one for the coolant temp measurement for the heater/ECU. It doesn't detect it in the core, but rather in the...
This issue seems similar to what I experienced when my "heater tees" began to leak. The Tees are at the highest point in the cooling system and will trap air in that area, this is just before the heater core and the water pump at idle doesn't have enough pressure to push the coolant "up and...
The valve cover bolts have a shoulder that provides positive stop when the shoulder contacts the head. Then you torque them to 53 INCH pounds so they stay in place. The shoulder ensures the gasket isn't over compressed and also so the bolt grommets are not squeezed out of place. There is no need...
Thanks for the info. Having completed this job, I'll second the fact that replacement of the spark plug tube seals should only be with OEM. I tried Fel-Pro tube seal gaskets and they didn't fit, so I ran off to the dealer and bought OEM and they fit perfectly. Saves a lot of time and headache...