What’s up everyone, I’ve been trying to figure this out. Had a radiator installed last august. Since then I’ve had to add coolant to the reservoir twice. One time early spring and one time this past week. Reservoir was below the L. I know of the valley plate leaks these are famous for. I don’t see any coolant leaks or have any smells of coolant. The heater Ts seem fine. I’m also aware of the HG issues that have started to pop up. Car drives as it should. Truck has 93k on it and radiator was done around 85k. Never has any stumbling on start up, no over hearing. Kind of at a stand still to keep this truck and figure out if something is really wrong or just trade it in. Trade is very low compared to when I bought it so that sucks. Would miss all the luxury and size and power of this vehicle. Ideas, thoughts, suggestions? All appreciated.
2013 LX coolant disappears (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter LC CT
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1world1love
SILVER Star
My first thought would be that whoever swapped the radiator didn't get all of the air out of the system, but 10 months is a long time between fill ups.
Was the coolant below L in the spring and recently?
Was the coolant below L in the spring and recently?
Check for the common valley plate leak. Good thread here with additional links
forum.ih8mud.com
Engine valley plate leak
I am looking at a LX570 to possibly purchase and this is in the Lexus service history: MECHANICAL LABOR--FOUND ENGINE VALLEY PLATE LEAKING LVL 3 DOWN TO TRANSMISSION PAN. RECOMMEND RESEALING PLATE AT THIS TIME. **NOTE: PLATE IS BELOW INTAKE MANIFOLD ~|~ ~|~87970 600 REMOVED, CLEANED AND...
forum.ih8mud.com
- Thread starter
- #4
This was my thought and what I was hoping for. He’s a friend mechanic but does very good work. In the spring it was just below L. I filled it to between H and L. Then a week ago I checked and it was just below L again. These are all taken at cold engine temps with vehicle sitting over night. I filled it again a week ago to middle of marks. It’s lost about an inch between then and now it looks like again with engine cold.
- Thread starter
- #5
I’ve looked under at the bell housing multiple times and can’t see any dry coolant. Zero coolant Oder.Check for the common valley plate leak. Good thread here with additional links
Engine valley plate leak
I am looking at a LX570 to possibly purchase and this is in the Lexus service history: MECHANICAL LABOR--FOUND ENGINE VALLEY PLATE LEAKING LVL 3 DOWN TO TRANSMISSION PAN. RECOMMEND RESEALING PLATE AT THIS TIME. **NOTE: PLATE IS BELOW INTAKE MANIFOLD ~|~ ~|~87970 600 REMOVED, CLEANED AND...
1world1love
SILVER Star
The valley plate leak can be difficult to spot as there can be multiple paths that the coolant takes. A lot of people see it on the trans housing, but not always.
- Thread starter
- #7
I’m having a real tough time trying to spot it. Anywhere with a mirror might be ale to see? Trying to get a definite confirmation, don’t want to keep driving if it might be a HG issue. No other symptoms otherwise with the vehicle
1world1love
SILVER Star
I am no expert, but if it was a HG and you were losing that much coolant over that length of time, I suspect that you would have some misfire codes, obvious signs of coolant that you could see on your oil dipstick, white smoke from the exhaust, etc.
- Thread starter
- #9
Agreed. Oil clean, no white smoke, exhaust doesn’t smell like coolant, no CEL. Kind of driving me crazy. I will try and look around with a small mirror and flashlight to try and see any coolant.
nwfl4runner
GOLD Star
I had these symptoms and it was the valley. It’s actually really easy to just remove the intake and take a good look, it may be a small leak. I tried with all the usual tricks and turned out my leak was in the one spot I couldn’t see
- Thread starter
- #11
You were able to see with the intake removed?
It is really tough to find a valley plate leak without removing the intake. A borescope only goes so far in tight spaces.
You could have your oil tested to eliminate HG as a culprit.
You could have your oil tested to eliminate HG as a culprit.
- Thread starter
- #13
You’re saying without removing the intake manifold it is hard to see correct? I know once the manifold is off it’ll be super easy to tell. That’s what I figured. If it’s just removing the intake air box and all that I don’t mind doing that to look just can’t Picture the engine right now and if that would give me any additional views. I’m not with the vehicle now
That's correct. I've tried with a borescope with success on one 3URFE engine, but wasn't able to locate a leak on another using a borescope. If you can take off the intake manifold, it's as clear as night and day.
nwfl4runner
GOLD Star
Yup - just be prepared for the vacuum lines to crack
- Thread starter
- #16
Just a clarification, you were able to see it with the air intake off? Or whole intake
Manifold off? Thank you
nwfl4runner
GOLD Star
Sorry, intake manifold. Your symptoms sound exactly like mine, and it was the clearest way to see everything. Mine was a very small leak, and I honestly wouldn’t have been able to see it with the manifold on. I didn’t have signs of a leak anywhere else
Take @CanadianRockyCruiser advice and send both oil and coolant samples to Blackstone Labs. Order their free mailing kits online then send in the samples. They are backed up a bit right now so it will take about 3 weeks, but you’ll know if there is any coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. Great peace of mind for an engine losing coolant.
In the meantime, I suggest buying a borescope before going to the work of intake removal. Useable ones can be bought on Amazon for only about $30 and they can come in handy for lots of things. You can get a decent look at the valley with one and may quickly find dried coolant. As noted above, you can’t see everywhere and if you don’t see pink to confirm a leak, you’ll have to remove the manifold.
Oil Analysis | Blackstone Laboratories
Learn what's going on in your engine with oil analysis. Our free kits are easy to use and we explain the results in plain English! Since 1985.
www.blackstone-labs.com
In the meantime, I suggest buying a borescope before going to the work of intake removal. Useable ones can be bought on Amazon for only about $30 and they can come in handy for lots of things. You can get a decent look at the valley with one and may quickly find dried coolant. As noted above, you can’t see everywhere and if you don’t see pink to confirm a leak, you’ll have to remove the manifold.
- Thread starter
- #19
Gotcha, appreciate the info. Did you do the reseal yourself or have it done? I assume once the manifold is off, that’s most of the job right there?
You're symptoms are very typical of the valley plate leak. I'd say it's 95% the case. Still might be worth trying a boroscope as it's cheap and easy, and a good tool to have. Snake it past the the PCV valve foam just behind the throttle body.
