Grabbed a used 200 but now have some concerns

[OregonLC]

My guess is the PO lost the radiator and it overheated. That's about the right mileage. And you wouldn't replace both head gaskets if just one side was leaking unless you had reason to believe the cause was common and bank two failure was imminent. It was done at a dealer, so you should have a reasonable expectation that it was done correctly and using Toyota OE parts.

I'd run a Blackstone sample on the next oil change and make sure there's nothing naughty going on post-repair and then again for the next several changes.

As far as the exhaust studs, my 2013 came out of Walnut Creek, CA and I had zero corrosion issues when I removed the header for a prophylactic starter replacement. I bought extra studs and nuts for the job. I used new nuts just because I had them but the studs were perfect.

As far as the shock, those are wear items. If it's weeping it's likely of age to not be damping properly. Replace them.

 

[bloc]

Also possible coolant level got low due to a valley plate leak.

As far as the exhaust studs, my 2013 came out of Walnut Creek, CA and I had zero corrosion issues when I removed the header for a prophylactic starter replacement. I bought extra studs and nuts for the job. I used new nuts just because I had them but the studs were perfect.

Exactly my experience. Then again, the techs could have just ordered all the studs like you and I did.

I'd suggest waiting a couple oil changes for blackstone. The coolant detection is so sensitive any coolant that migrated during the work will likely still come up suggesting a leak. If it isn't using coolant I'd assume that part of the job was done right.

 

[RTK]

Was able to talk to the Service Manger where the work was done, he told me he remembered the vehicle. He said the original owner took very good care of the vehicle, so the head gasket failure on a LC was a bit of a mystery, but not totally unheard of. He also said the guy spent a lot of time in Tahoe, so that might explain some of the minor rust issues and KDSS Rust. The coolant reservoir was a low when I got the car, maybe they just forgot to fill it. Who knows. I added coolant. As far as having a Valley Coolant leak, how would I know? Watch the coolant level? Is there any way to see the coolant leak by looking at the engine?

 

[RTK]

As far as having a Valley plate leak, how would I know? Watch the coolant level? Is there any way to see the coolant leak by looking at the engine?

 

[RTK]

My guess is the PO lost the radiator and it overheated. That's about the right mileage. And you wouldn't replace both head gaskets if just one side was leaking unless you had reason to believe the cause was common and bank two failure was imminent. It was done at a dealer, so you should have a reasonable expectation that it was done correctly and using Toyota OE parts.

I'd run a Blackstone sample on the next oil change and make sure there's nothing naughty going on post-repair and then again for the next several changes.

As far as the exhaust studs, my 2013 came out of Walnut Creek, CA and I had zero corrosion issues when I removed the header for a prophylactic starter replacement. I bought extra studs and nuts for the job. I used new nuts just because I had them but the studs were perfect.

As far as the shock, those are wear items. If it's weeping it's likely of age to not be damping properly. Replace them.

As far as having a Valley plate leak, how would I know? Watch the coolant level? Is there any way to see the coolant leak by looking at the engine?

 

[RTK]

Also possible coolant level got low due to a valley plate leak.




Exactly my experience. Then again, the techs could have just ordered all the studs like you and I did.

I'd suggest waiting a couple oil changes for blackstone. The coolant detection is so sensitive any coolant that migrated during the work will likely still come up suggesting a leak. If it isn't using coolant I'd assume that part of the job was done right.

As far as having a Valley plate leak, how would I know? Watch the coolant level? Is there any way to see the coolant leak by looking at the engine?

 

[PDoyle]

Grab a flashlight and point it past the pvc valve into the top of the engine. If you see any pink inside that area you have a valley plate leak.

 

[bloc]

If they installed the under-intake foam it can be tough to see the full valley plate. Past the PVC gives you a small perspective but far from full. You can rip out the foam but that (to a limited extent) helps keep rodents and stuff out from under there.

The good news is the valley plate doesn't just let go.. it weeps slowly. Meaning there is little risk of a sudden overheat situation. Just keep the coolant reservoir full and if you notice it consuming some, at that point try to figure things out.

 

[OregonLC]

Can you post up an image of the part number stamping (flat bump) on top of your radiator? I'm curious if it were replaced.

I'm still stumped by the 'no reason' head gasket failure. Do you have the full maintenance history on the Toyota site? One hack you can do with Lexus is to add any random VIN to your garage and voilà you have the full history available (at least the Lexus shop history) even if you don't own the vehicle, or didn't own it when the maint was done. I've used this a number of times when prospecting potential buys. Don't know if the same can be done with Toyota.

Again, I think it very unlikely you'll have any problems. Just curious more than anything. I would take care of the shocks though. Figure 50-60k max life and I highly doubt that's the third set. Good opportunity to have your first mod.

 

[linuxgod]

There was someone else on the forum that had a head gasket go at low mileage. It’s very uncommon though.

Low coolant relatively soon after any cooling system work is common. A bit of air working it’s way out of the system. Keep it topped off at “full” in the overflow when cold and it should stop. Squeezing the hoses to help burp out air sometimes helps

 

[rlynch356]

also something to check - is the water pump, mine developed a slight leak at 96K... the coolant just got to the bottom line when I noticed it and replaced the water pump entirely.. its pretty hard to see as well but you can from underneath the truck.

 

[RTK]

If they installed the under-intake foam it can be tough to see the full valley plate. Past the PVC gives you a small perspective but far from full. You can rip out the foam but that (to a limited extent) helps keep rodents and stuff out from under there.

The good news is the valley plate doesn't just let go.. it weeps slowly. Meaning there is little risk of a sudden overheat situation. Just keep the coolant reservoir full and if you notice it consuming some, at that point try to figure things out.

That is what I thought, I refilled the coolant reservoir, so will keep an eye on it. Thanks for the tips. This is my first LC, I have been looking for at least 2 years.

 

[CharlieS]

Can you post up an image of the part number stamping (flat bump) on top of your radiator? I'm curious if it were replaced.

I'm still stumped by the 'no reason' head gasket failure. Do you have the full maintenance history on the Toyota site? One hack you can do with Lexus is to add any random VIN to your garage and voilà you have the full history available (at least the Lexus shop history) even if you don't own the vehicle, or didn't own it when the maint was done. I've used this a number of times when prospecting potential buys. Don't know if the same can be done with Toyota.

Again, I think it very unlikely you'll have any problems. Just curious more than anything. I would take care of the shocks though. Figure 50-60k max life and I highly doubt that's the third set. Good opportunity to have your first mod.

It can be done the same way on the Toyota Owners site, BUT... when you register a new person "to check it out", it kicks the current owner out and changes the owner of record to you. I had someone do this when they were looking to purchase a previous vehicle. It was annoying.

 

[OregonLC]

Maybe annoying for owners, but lacking other tools it's a very powerful resource for potential buyers. One could say 'just let the salesman pull it' but then you're stuck in the doom loop of messages from random sales staff for vehicles that haven't passed your screening.

 

[RTK]

Can you post up an image of the part number stamping (flat bump) on top of your radiator? I'm curious if it were replaced.

I'm still stumped by the 'no reason' head gasket failure. Do you have the full maintenance history on the Toyota site? One hack you can do with Lexus is to add any random VIN to your garage and voilà you have the full history available (at least the Lexus shop history) even if you don't own the vehicle, or didn't own it when the maint was done. I've used this a number of times when prospecting potential buys. Don't know if the same can be done with Toyota.

Again, I think it very unlikely you'll have any problems. Just curious more than anything. I would take care of the shocks though. Figure 50-60k max life and I highly doubt that's the third set. Good opportunity to have your first mod.

Yeah Toyota Owners website seems to do the same thing as Lexus, if you enter a VIN #, I was able to get the history for the truck. But it is only notes, and often abbreviated. My local Toyota service dept. wont give me anything, privacy issues.

 

[RTK]

It can be done the same way on the Toyota Owners site, BUT... when you register a new person "to check it out", it kicks the current owner out and changes the owner of record to you. I had someone do this when they were looking to purchase a previous vehicle. It was annoying.

Here are some shots of radiator

 

[RTK]

Can you post up an image of the part number stamping (flat bump) on top of your radiator? I'm curious if it were replaced.

I'm still stumped by the 'no reason' head gasket failure. Do you have the full maintenance history on the Toyota site? One hack you can do with Lexus is to add any random VIN to your garage and voilà you have the full history available (at least the Lexus shop history) even if you don't own the vehicle, or didn't own it when the maint was done. I've used this a number of times when prospecting potential buys. Don't know if the same can be done with Toyota.

Again, I think it very unlikely you'll have any problems. Just curious more than anything. I would take care of the shocks though. Figure 50-60k max life and I highly doubt that's the third set. Good opportunity to have your first mod.

Posted in thread

 

[OregonLC]

That's the updated version. So it was definitely replaced. Whether or not it was the cause of the head gasket issue is undetermined, but my guess is that is what happened.

The good news is that you don't need to worry about that repair down the road.

 

[bloc]

Agreed.

 

[RTK]

That's the updated version. So it was definitely replaced. Whether or not it was the cause of the head gasket issue is undetermined, but my guess is that is what happened.

The good news is that you don't need to worry about that repair down the road.

Well that is good to hear, I see nothing in the records about radiator, but I do not have the actual records. BTW how do I look up part number on something like that to find out what year it is? I googled it but came up short.