2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement

[SWUtah]

Mine was installed October 2017 in my 2015 LX570 it’s OEM from the Lexus dealer because the original had a bent fin from a minor collision the new one looks perfect after 9 months

View attachment 1752468

This is my new one from one year ago looks like the old-style to me different numbers but Old style

 

[Docboy]

For those with LX570s, did you guys or gals go to Toyota or Lexus to get the radiator replaced? I assume Toyota's costs would be lower than Lexus'.

 

[SWUtah]

For those with LX570s, did you guys or gals go to Toyota or Lexus to get the radiator replaced? I assume Toyota's costs would be lower than Lexus'.

Lexus mine on my 2015 LX with 25,000 miles on it was replaced because of an accident so it’s guaranteed by my insurance Company Liberty Mutual since I had it fixed at one of their places for as long as I own the car so if it does go bad either Lexus or my insurance company will pay to have it replaced

 

[nwfl4runner]

For those with LX570s, did you guys or gals go to Toyota or Lexus to get the radiator replaced? I assume Toyota's costs would be lower than Lexus'.

Toyota, it's the same. Just replaced mine this past weekend. Takes a lazy 3 hours just going slow and watching football. My only advice is to make sure to have a wobble socket and a long extension (12") for the passenger side lower radiator bolt. That way you can go through the lower grill.

I ordered mine from OEMSTOP ($315) and it was the new model.

 

[TeCKis300]

There's already plenty of evidence in this thread that the radiator should be proactively replaced or reinforced at ~100k. Just adding mine as another data point. '09 LX570, 109k miles. Yup, the plastic fatigue at the stress riser is there. Time to replace, along with a water pump that is weeping.

Embarrassing that I'm showing you her bits being so dirty! Proves my Lexus isn't a mall queen...she likes to play in the dirt too.

 

[Goblue200]

110k miles on a 13 and I am joining this unfortunate radiator club.

Mentioned this thread and issues to dealer. Guy recommended an all aluminum option from 1800 radiator. I asked for part numbers and mfg, will update when I hear back.

 

[M1911]

Please do update the thread with manufacturer and part number. I really would prefer an all aluminum radiator, rather than replace it with another radiator with the same weakness.

 

[Goblue200]

Spoke to them regarding the aluminum option. The service tech recommended against it citing past issues. The part number was 10103461 for $273 @ 1800 radiator. They didn't confirm if it was aluminum.

Quoted price $1300 for installation of peripheral parts with the meat being $489.30 on the OEM radiator. (Demanded 4th Gen Superseded part)

Question to the kind folks here:

What would I benefit by doing in conjunction with this work?

1) PCV Valve
2) Water Pump
3) Thermostat
4) Fan Clutch
5) Serp Belt (w/ Tensioner & Pulley)
6) Throttle Body cleaning
7) 120k spark plug service a little early

Moral of the story, I'm likely not doing this myself - even if i wanted to. Lots of travel and young kids.

 

[nwfl4runner]

Have you had any of that stuff done yet? With the radiator out it’s easy to replace that stuff, but realistically removing the radiator is so easy you can save the time and energy and just do it later. Only thing I replaced was the fan clutch as you HAVE to remove it to get the radiator out.

Seriously if you have the tools, it takes a lazy afternoon and some new coolant.

 

[ranma21]

Spoke to them regarding the aluminum option. The service tech recommended against it citing past issues. The part number was 10103461 for $273 @ 1800 radiator. They didn't confirm if it was aluminum.

Quoted price $1300 for installation of peripheral parts with the meat being $489.30 on the OEM radiator. (Demanded 4th Gen Superseded part)

Question to the kind folks here:

What would I benefit by doing in conjunction with this work?

1) PCV Valve
2) Water Pump
3) Thermostat
4) Fan Clutch
5) Serp Belt (w/ Tensioner & Pulley)
6) Throttle Body cleaning
7) 120k spark plug service a little early

Moral of the story, I'm likely not doing this myself - even if i wanted to. Lots of travel and young kids.

By doing the listed item, you are doing a preventive maintenance that prevent future issues as well as higher labor cost.

 

[linuxgod]

@Goblue200 what's your mileage and where are you at around Chicago?

$1300 seems high. I had my radiator replaced at Bredemann Toyota in Park Ridge for ~$750, IIRC (radiator, labor, and a gallon or two of coolant, all covered under the Toyota VSA for me). New hoses and clamps were another ~$150 out of my pocket. I can get the precise $ when I get home if you'd like. I only had 77k on my truck so I did not do the water pump since I still had 23k left on the warranty, but if I was over 100k and out of warranty I would've done it as well. If I was doing the water pump I would do a thermostat and full coolant replacement rather than the radiator drain and fill they did. Probably a new serpentine belt at that time as well if the water pump is coming off... not sure about the tensioner. PCV valve, throttle body, and plugs are all separate and save you no labor cost to do them at the same time, so up to you if you want to do them now. PCV valve is pretty easy to do yourself if you tinker, plugs are an ordeal tho.

 

[Goblue200]

Not that it would be news to anyone here but we confirmed that "all-aluminum" radiator option from 1800 radiators still has a plastic head.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Goblue200]

@Goblue200 what's your mileage and where are you at around Chicago?

$1300 seems high. I had my radiator replaced at Bredemann Toyota in Park Ridge for ~$750, IIRC (radiator, labor, and a gallon or two of coolant, all covered under the Toyota VSA for me). New hoses and clamps were another ~$150 out of my pocket. I can get the precise $ when I get home if you'd like. I only had 77k on my truck so I did not do the water pump since I still had 23k left on the warranty, but if I was over 100k and out of warranty I would've done it as well. If I was doing the water pump I would do a thermostat and full coolant replacement rather than the radiator drain and fill they did. Probably a new serpentine belt at that time as well if the water pump is coming off... not sure about the tensioner. PCV valve, throttle body, and plugs are all separate and save you no labor cost to do them at the same time, so up to you if you want to do them now. PCV valve is pretty easy to do yourself if you tinker, plugs are an ordeal tho.

@linuxgod I am in La Grange and at 110k, so warranty is over (great!). Continental was close and I don't have an indy shop that i would hire to do this.

I am doing new hoses and serp belt as well. Service tech, who claims to be their LC guy and drives a sequioa with the 5.7, talked me out of the water pump, pulley, and tensioner saying they all look immaculate. The car has yet to spend a winter in chicago being from alabama.

I will do the plugs down the line so as to try to not rack up a bill for the sake of it. They mentioned plug replacement is 400, plugs with tuneup is 725.

Other prices as an FYI:
- PCV valve: $322 p&l
- water pump: $781 p&l
- therm 72 for part, 300 for L
- throttle body cleaning 130 or upgrade to intake cleaning for 199 (better cleaners)

I'd be interested to hear what you paid.

 

[M1911]

I wonder how much it would cost to get someone like Ron Davis to create a custom, all-aluminum radiator for the 200?

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

@linuxgod
I am doing new hoses and serp belt as well. Service tech, who claims to be their LC guy and drives a sequioa with the 5.7, talked me out of the water pump, pulley, and tensioner saying they all look immaculate. The car has yet to spend a winter in chicago being from alabama.

I will do the plugs down the line so as to try to not rack up a bill for the sake of it. They mentioned plug replacement is 400, plugs with tuneup is 725.

Other prices as an FYI:
- PCV valve: $322 p&l
- water pump: $781 p&l
- therm 72 for part, 300 for L
- throttle body cleaning 130 or upgrade to intake cleaning for 199 (better cleaners)

Holy smokes. PCV costs nearly nothing, takes 5 minutes to change, and is right on top of the engine. I think their estimate is off by one decimal place. Please don't pay them $322 to do that.

What is included in a $725 tune up?

I think I'd be looking for another shop.

 

[SWUtah]

Holy smokes. PCV costs nearly nothing, takes 5 minutes to change, and is right on top of the engine. I think their estimate is off by one decimal place. Please don't pay them $322 to do that.

What is included in a $725 tune up?

I think I'd be looking for another shop.

Totally agree find an independent shop recommended by other 200 series owners and Chicago those prices are crazy

 

[Goblue200]

Well, anyone got recommendations in Chicago?

This type of question typically gets brutal responses around here.

 

[linuxgod]

Found it (actually an earlier post in this thread)

2008-2010 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement

$712 for the radiator, coolant, and labor, $154 for the hoses and clips.

The book says it's a 2.1 hour job, plus 0.2 hours for the hoses. It also says the thermostat is 0.1 hours if you're doing it at the same time, so $300 for labor for that is a $3000/hour labor rate.

To be fair, the normal labor is 1.0 hours for just the thermostat, so if they were just pricing it alone that means their labor rate is only $300/hr.

The book rate for the PCV is 1.2 hours labor. I have no idea what that 1.2 hours entails, but someone else did it on the forum in a lot less time and the part was maybe $30? I have to agree that they're overcharging you, maybe because you're seen as a rich 200 owner, or maybe just because they never work on LC/LX and don't know what's involved.

I highly recommend Bredemann, they've been good to work with so far and always reasonably priced. If your current dealer quoted $1300 for just the radiator and hoses it's worth the hour drive to the north for you to save $400. Another option might be ChiTown 4x4 in Carol Stream. They most do lifts, mods and restorations, but they may do larger repair jobs as well.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Serious suggestion - an alternative is a wrenching party with your local Land Cruiser club. Spend that $300 PCV valve budget on pizza and drinks, save a ton of cash, and make some good friends. None of your planned engine work requires much specialized knowledge or tools.

Always a good idea to have a network of fellow cruiserheads.

 

[kms254]

For those with LX570s, did you guys or gals go to Toyota or Lexus to get the radiator replaced? I assume Toyota's costs would be lower than Lexus'.

I did DIY... I paid $393(shipped) for the new Toyota/Lexus OEM (newest style) radiator, lower hose, upper hose, and 4 clips. Another $55 for two gallons of the Toyota/Lexus Coolant and one quart of the transmission fluid. One roll of paper towels.

Despite this thread i found it easy to use a super long 1/4 extension to get to all 4 bolts through the front grill. I did not have to take the fan off. I removed the fan shroud before removing the old radiator and slid the fan shroud down after installing the new radiator. Used a thin piece of cardboard to protect the fins on the radiator.


I was all all in about $450 and gained a bit more familiarity with my truck.