Pink Leak - Thoughts?

[jonthetourist]

Nice looking 430 for sale with a leak - any opinions either way?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/V8-CYO-LEXUS-LS430-PREMIUM-PACK-DARK-GREEN-GEARBOX-LEAK-/281597241635?

[hihihi]

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[Malc]

sad for a 15 year old Ls430 ......... maybe it's a simple fix tbh, bit like the gearbox oil mixing with the radiator water, that internal pipework having gone KAPUT ..... maybe a simple enough fix at just a few £00's but hey, what would I know !!

And I sure won't be taking a punt on it

Malc

bet lexus chap might tho what with all that Lexus service history etc etc etc and then up for £3500 no doubt

[jonthetourist]

Really nice looking car, I mean Nice(!), driving which is like an addiction, ie you always want to go further... is what my E-Class was to me. Until the supposedly bomb-proof Mercedes gearbox placed the car in drive-me-home mode. Repair was to be a rebuild, and costs of that meant, I was gutted too (as per eBay seller) to have to let it go... to the scrap yard!

You ask for opinions, the once-bitten-twice-shy me says: walk away -correction- RUN!

Yes, I know where you are coming from. Rebuild is not an option, but a replacement from a breaker might be. Say ball-park £1k to buy and fit??

And the optimistic part of my nature says what if it is just a gasket?. Shame he is 350 miles away.

[jonthetourist]

sad for a 15 year old Ls430 ......... maybe it's a simple fix tbh, bit like the gearbox oil mixing with the radiator water, that internal pipework having gone KAPUT ..... maybe a simple enough fix at just a few £00's but hey, what would I know !!

And I sure won't be taking a punt on it

Malc

bet lexus chap might tho what with all that Lexus service history etc etc etc and then up for £3500 no doubt

There's another one on offer with oil mixing with water but I felt that would be anything but a simple fix. I will see if I can find it.

[bookend]

If it was close enough it would be worth a look underneath.

Leaks are usually a simple fix

[jonthetourist]

sad for a 15 year old Ls430 ......... maybe it's a simple fix tbh, bit like the gearbox oil mixing with the radiator water, that internal pipework having gone KAPUT ..... maybe a simple enough fix at just a few £00's but hey, what would I know !!

And I sure won't be taking a punt on it

Malc

bet lexus chap might tho what with all that Lexus service history etc etc etc and then up for £3500 no doubt

There's another one on offer with oil mixing with water but I felt that would be anything but a simple fix. I will see if I can find it.

This is the one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Lexus-LS-430-4-3-V8-4dr-Auto-SATNAV-DVD-SCREEN-LEATHER-/141574515881?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20f67faca9

[jonthetourist]

If it was close enough it would be worth a look underneath.

Leaks are usually a simple fix

That is the nagging thought. I have just suggested to the seller he get a local transmission shop to have a look and offer an opinion.

[ls400lpg]

my ls400 mk3 had water from radiator in th egearbox when I blew headgasket. Gearbox never recovered after 3 gearbox oil changes

[cruisermark]

we all know that especially the early 430s suffer from this so if any member has this problem fixed then perhaps the could put it on this forum detailing problem, parts used and associated costs - this will help members alot as this appears to be happening more and more as they age and it would be such a shame to see them going to scrap if the fault is fixeable

[lex - eleven]

sad for a 15 year old Ls430 ......... maybe it's a simple fix tbh, bit like the gearbox oil mixing with the radiator water, that internal pipework having gone KAPUT ..... maybe a simple enough fix at just a few £00's but hey, what would I know !!

And I sure won't be taking a punt on it

Malc

bet lexus chap might tho what with all that Lexus service history etc etc etc and then up for £3500 no doubt

There's another one on offer with oil mixing with water but I felt that would be anything but a simple fix. I will see if I can find it.

This is the one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Lexus-LS-430-4-3-V8-4dr-Auto-SATNAV-DVD-SCREEN-LEATHER-/141574515881?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20f67faca9

I just looked at the pictures of this one and in one of them I can see the little black switch under the handbrake release that is the same on my car. I still don't know what this is.

[runsgrateasanut]

Sounds like it might be worth changing the Radiator same time as having the Cam belt changed on these cars. I had the Trannie pipe fall of the rad in my S Class and fortunately it rusted away external to the rad and outside my house returning home from a short journey. Saved the gearbox. Thankfully

Can't imagine the gearbox is salvageable on these cars and one a 2008 model. Shocking. Should never have the two combined.

[Titch LS]

The seller described the leak as a pink fluid. Has anyone thought that it might just be Toyota Pink Coolant on the driveway? The long-life stuff that is recommended IS pink. I have it in my car. Could be a very easy fix if this is the case. Are we all assuming the worst with a transmission problem? The known 'coolant/ATF mixing problem' comes from an INTERNAL leak not external. Could be cracked radiator(plastic), waterpump (doubtful), or leaky gearbox sump gasket. These repairs are a darn sight cheaper than a rebuilt transmission.

[jonthetourist]

The seller described the leak as a pink fluid. Has anyone thought that it might just be Toyota Pink Coolant on the driveway? The long-life stuff that is recommended IS pink. I have it in my car. Could be a very easy fix if this is the case. Are we all assuming the worst with a transmission problem? The known 'coolant/ATF mixing problem' comes from an INTERNAL leak not external. Could be cracked radiator(plastic), waterpump (doubtful), or leaky gearbox sump gasket. These repairs are a darn sight cheaper than a rebuilt transmission.

Yes, that thought had also encouraged me. But it's such a long way to go to look, that's why I suggested getting an opinion locally.Might power steering fluid also be pink?

[bookend]

For the money if it was anything serious you shouldn't be far off getting your money back in parts.

[MNP]

When my Landcruiser had the dreaded pink fluid (water in auto gearbox) problem, the previous owner had replaced the radiator but sadly despite many flushes and a few years of occasional problems, the box had to be rebuilt. She let me down a few times and every time it was flushed through she would be fine for about a year, sometimes with or without overdrive/lock up working. The writing was on the wall when it finally failed and I literally managed to limp to the specialist with a slipping transmission. He had to get a used box for extra bits in order to rebuild mine and the radiator was fine but replaced as so much stuff from the box had clogged it up!!

I would never buy a car with that issue again. I keep my Land Crusher coolant fresh and have it changed regulary. Thank goodness the LS400 has a seperate cooler!!!!!

Just my thoughts....Mark.

[jonthetourist]

Thanks for all the feedback folks.

I am not very technical, and have no experience of Lexus, but I am learning there is a known phenomenon whereby the trans fluid is ducted through the radiator for cooling, which gives scope for cross-contamination. MB have a similar thing with some of their models that I am familiar with (crap design btw)

But, the symptom of a puddle of pink fluid under the car should not necessarily be related to this problem. It could be, but it could equally well be the failure of a hose or a seal, which is relatively simple to fix, and should not have long-term consequences.

Am I right in thinking that to get any further with a diagnosis would involve removing the undertray? I am thinking I could invest in sending a mobile mechanic round to the vendor to do that and report back.

More thoughts invited :)

Thanks again

Jon

[cruisermark]

Thanks for all the feedback folks.

I am not very technical, and have no experience of Lexus, but I am learning there is a known phenomenon whereby the trans fluid is ducted through the radiator for cooling, which gives scope for cross-contamination. MB have a similar thing with some of their models that I am familiar with (crap design btw)

But, the symptom of a puddle of pink fluid under the car should not necessarily be related to this problem. It could be, but it could equally well be the failure of a hose or a seal, which is relatively simple to fix, and should not have long-term consequences.

Am I right in thinking that to get any further with a diagnosis would involve removing the undertray? I am thinking I could invest in sending a mobile mechanic round to the vendor to do that and report back.

More thoughts invited :)

Thanks again

Jon

yes john i think you are right - maybe contact the seller and ask if he was having any problems with the gear change etc leading upto the point where he saw pink fluid

[Scribe]

Maybe you could try to find a specialist indie mechanic in the area to have a look? Or even ring one for advice first? Mine offered very helpful advice before I went to look at my car (on the basis that he'd get the work of servicing it if I bought it). I've since trusted him with all my car maintenance.

[Scribe]

Part of me is thinking, 'If the rest of the car is so good (it looks great in the photos) and it could be a simple fix, why is he selling it so cheaply?'

[Malc]

.................. it's only cheap if the fix is simple ....... if it's not then the car is probably a scrapper and then weigh it in I guess

Malc

( I'll wash my mouth out with soap and water )

[Cotswold Pete]

The only thing that bothers me is 'Receipts for Thousands'.

Unless the services were darned expensive why would such a car have cost so much.

As other say could be a hose gone, but could be lot worse.

Does seem like the 430 (and any other car with combined cooling system is asking for trouble at some point)

What ever you decide I hope it works out.

[cruisermark]

well one 430 i went to see when looking had a gearbox for 3k, both front doors changed and rear window quarter glass which were also big bills - thankfully for the owner all under warranty

[jonthetourist]

The vendor came back and said he is not prepared to drive it so I think I will be leaving it. All part of the learning curve. The joy of being a buyer of a second car is there is no rush so I can wit for the right one.

Thanks for all the inputs today - much appreciated.

Jon

[Bluesman]

My guess is he knows what the problem is hes just not letting on. I dont think anyone would let the car without having checked what is leaking and from where. Mike