2000 LX470 original thermostat housing bulging and fused to water inlet joint 193k miles

[CEO714]

I would guess after that many miles this is or can be common? I started my timing belt service and this is everything that I am doing and the things I discovered!
Timing belt service 2000 LX470
R&R Timing Belt
R&R Timing Belt Tensioner Bearing
R&R Timing Belt Idler Bearing
R&R Timing Belt Tensioner
R&R Water Pump & Water Pump Gasket and Seals
R&R Camshaft Seals
R&R Front Crankshaft Seal
R&R Thermostat & Thermostat O'Ring
R&R Serpentine Belt
R&R Valve Cover Gasket Set (with spark plug seals)
R&R Upper Radiator Hose
R&R Lower Radiator Hose

Ran into a snag tho with almost 200k miles on it it became clear that the water pump or thermostat had never been replaced ... Shortly into this found that the thermostat housing was fused to the water inlet thing and was slightly bulging so it could not be removed without breaking it so I ordered a new housing and will be picking up that later today to complete the job, that could be a indicator that the thermostat was maybe not functioning correctly causing my slight miss at idle effecting the fuel injectors... In addition I am also doing a complete fuel system clean out including injectors and testing the ohms on each coil to see if any are slowly failing! Hopefully should be done today! Started this yesterday morning. Now that I discovered all of that I am very glad I did this because eventually that could have caused a huge disaster! So wish me luck on the lx running perfect when I get done! Haha

 

[super90]

Someone else had that same problem, if I remember correctly. There were photos of it. I'll see if I can find the post.....

 

[CEO714]

Correction I mixed up the 2 parts it was the water inlet housing that was fused! Here is pics from the shop it's at! They said it is original it had the tamper proof mark for warranty purposes!

 

[ENGINE er]

you try a dead blow hammer?

 

[CEO714]

Not sure what they tried but it got broken it's fine tho they are buying me a new one they have worked on most of my cars so I trust them it was not carelessness they really tried not I break it.

Also I am the 2nd owner and got this a few months ago otherwise it would have been maintained correctly haha

 

[ton504]

Sorry but its hard to believe the cast aluminum expanded/bulged and was stuck. Sounds like someone didn't know what they was doing and was careless.

 

[CEO714]

Anything is possible I suppose but they bought a new part from Toyota and were honest about it breaking instead of trying to hide it. In addition I inspected The old inlet housing where it connects into the thermostat housing and it was indeed slightly warped! But the good news is it's all done and it runs even better than it did I am very pleased over all!