Leaky Rad

[Nickbird01]

I think my radiator is leaving. Are there any guides to changing the rad. I am pretty handy with the old spaners so any help would be good.

[sjrainsford]

If you're handy with the spanners, then changing the rad will be fine. They're pretty easy to change. Plus if it's a manual you've got two less hoses than someone with an auto!

First remove the air inlet that sits above the radiator.

Drain your coolant from the drain plug on the lower drivers side of the rad. Then disconnect your hoses, and unplug the temperature sensor.

Finally, undo the clamps that hold the radiator on at the top and it just lifts and slides out.

Unscrew and transfer the fan assembly to your new radiator, and fitting is reversal of removal.

[Nickbird01]

Thanks mate. Sounds good to me. Should be a couple of hours to do then.

[Pete Shawn]

Thanks mate. Sounds good to me. Should be a couple of hours to do then.

have you bought the RAD you gonna replace?? just wanna know where you bought it

thanks

[Nickbird01]

http://bit.ly/18q60VH

Was thinking eBay. Good price two year warranty.

[sjrainsford]

This is the one I fitted to mine and the place I got it from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS200-MANUAL-2-0-1999-TO-2005-RADIATOR-BRAND-NEW-2-YEAR-WARRANTY-/290923538355?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ALexus&hash=item43bc64e7b3

Helps to have the car parked with the front higher than the rear when filling it too.

[Nickbird01]

It wasn't the rad after all. The bottle on the fan assembly is leaking. Looks like the seal around the top of the bottle is no longer sealing so is loosing water. Was a cheaper part but looks like its a rubbish design in general. Shame as rest of car seems so well built.

[sjrainsford]

The expansion tank? That would be unusual, they're not under pressure either.

Oh well, glad you've found the cause.

[Nickbird01]

That's what I thought but there is definite daylight between the top and rest of bottle.