Ricks_Adventures
Observer
Last week I posted on here about how I was considering buying an LX with 200,000+ miles. Well I picked it up. I knew full well when I did that it has some coolant issues, but I thought it was just a bad heater hose T fitting. I had planned to order a timing belt/water pump kit to get the old girl up to snuff also.
So after I got her home -with some effort; she nearly overheated three times- I really started assessing her condition.
I replaced the T fitting with a temporary brass one(OEM are on the way). Still tried to overheat.
I checked the thermostat and promptly found that there was no thermostat, and I replaced it and the gasket. Still tried to overheat.
I burped the system and verified proper coolant level after conferring with the guys on ih8mud. Still tried to overheat.
I said to hell with it and ordered the kit from Aisin, and let her sit for a few days while I awaited it's arrival. When it came in, I set about to dismantling the front of the engine. I noticed from the first timing belt cover I removed that the belt appeared brand new(All lettering is still visible, zero cracks or rough surfaces, no difference when compared to the new belt.). It wasn't until I got 3 of the 4 timing belt covers removed and I was reaching for a bolt on the AC compressor that I noticed something odd.
Do you see the black rubber cap covering the radiator inlet/outlet? Apparently the mechanic(I found in the service records where this radiator was replaced literally less than two weeks ago at a dealership) failed to remove the dust cap from the brand new radiator.
(Also, the window does roll up. It's just fidgety.)
So at this point, based on the superb condition of the timing belt, I decided not to continue with the replacement. I can use the kit on my Tundra. Instead, I removed the cap and reassembled the motor. I filled the truck with distilled water, as I plan to flush it again in about a week. The LX cranked right up and aside from some CEL, that went away on the second startup, I've had no issues. The CEL was for the magnetic clutch on the fan I think. It went off and the engine hasn't exceeded 199 degrees from what my OBD tells me. I'd say she's ready to rock!
I'm still kind of upset that some mechanic made that mistake, but I know my engine a little better for it. As payment for my rant, enjoy a few pics of a killer Mississippi sunset.
Cheers,
Rick
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
So after I got her home -with some effort; she nearly overheated three times- I really started assessing her condition.
I replaced the T fitting with a temporary brass one(OEM are on the way). Still tried to overheat.
I checked the thermostat and promptly found that there was no thermostat, and I replaced it and the gasket. Still tried to overheat.
I burped the system and verified proper coolant level after conferring with the guys on ih8mud. Still tried to overheat.
I said to hell with it and ordered the kit from Aisin, and let her sit for a few days while I awaited it's arrival. When it came in, I set about to dismantling the front of the engine. I noticed from the first timing belt cover I removed that the belt appeared brand new(All lettering is still visible, zero cracks or rough surfaces, no difference when compared to the new belt.). It wasn't until I got 3 of the 4 timing belt covers removed and I was reaching for a bolt on the AC compressor that I noticed something odd.
Do you see the black rubber cap covering the radiator inlet/outlet? Apparently the mechanic(I found in the service records where this radiator was replaced literally less than two weeks ago at a dealership) failed to remove the dust cap from the brand new radiator.
(Also, the window does roll up. It's just fidgety.)
So at this point, based on the superb condition of the timing belt, I decided not to continue with the replacement. I can use the kit on my Tundra. Instead, I removed the cap and reassembled the motor. I filled the truck with distilled water, as I plan to flush it again in about a week. The LX cranked right up and aside from some CEL, that went away on the second startup, I've had no issues. The CEL was for the magnetic clutch on the fan I think. It went off and the engine hasn't exceeded 199 degrees from what my OBD tells me. I'd say she's ready to rock!
I'm still kind of upset that some mechanic made that mistake, but I know my engine a little better for it. As payment for my rant, enjoy a few pics of a killer Mississippi sunset.
Cheers,
Rick
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
