90LS400Lexus

My cars coolant level is lower and lower when the engine is cold. I think its the cap, because I dont see any leaks anywhere and the pump only has about 20K on it. I called the local Lexus dealer and he said that some of those had been changed because of a problem or something and wanted to know if I knew if my car had the changed top on the tank. I have no clue. Then he said that one cap was all that was available and if it wasnt changed, I would have to get all of that replaced with the sensor, etc. He has got to be joking right? He said if it had then the cap only was $19. I dont want to run it low on coolant, but dont want to put in $25 coolant (pink) to go back out either. If the car is not losing visible coolant, where could it be going? Its a very low loss, because I have put 30K on it and never had to add any, but its getting lower and lower in the tank.

Thanks. Definitely about the spa! LOL. Got her washed really well today and waxed this evening... it was cloudy and only around 65°, so it was perfect to wax a car.... and no leaks! :) before after

If you have an owners manual handbook instructions are there. I have had to change both of mine.... its easy. There are actually three bolts and a nut that have to come out. You have to take out the side marker light as well to gain access to the ones on the outer side. One bolt is on the lowest part of the inside of the light... the other is above the fog light, the other is on the lower right side... then there is a nut above that has to come off.

OMG, as most here know I had recently went through a terrible ordeal with my PS fluid leaking. Turns out that 2 years of leaking and adding fluid was the return hose that comes out of the back of the pump. It was a $2 8 inch piece of 3/8 vacuum hose. Also, my idle-up valve was leaking... pliugged that and all is well. For now. <_< Check the easy things first. I never dreamed it was a $2 hose leaking on mine.

Thanks. Well, I actually drove the car about 45 miles today- still no leaks at all, so it was definitely that hose. Like I said, I wish I had of know it was that simple, I would have changed it along time ago! ;) Well.... I still have that "shudder / vibration" sensation through the steering wheel on some low speed turns (which was even doing before the plugged idle-up valve). I can also hear it, but its faint... its kinda like a flutter. I am guessing it could be either the screens are dirty on the pump and/or rack, OR there could be air in the lines, etc. I have really not seen this mentioned by anyone else being an issue before. YES, she is definitely getting a bath on Sunday evening as soon as I get a chance! :)

Just wanted to update here..... idle-up has been plugged... all smoking is gone! The leak was from the return hose... its been replaced and no leaks! Hope this takes care of things for awhile. Thanks for everything! :)

5 hours later and no leaks! I hope it stays that way! #51 - I started it again and moved the steering from side to side, side to side and still no leaks. Obviously it was that hose. Had I known that, I would have changed it two years ago. Here are some pics... its still nasty looking, because with what I had to clean with, but it was enough to get rid of most of the wet fluid that had pooled up. The new hose and the areas were I was seeing drips is now dry.... the old hose was hard as a rock... re-routed vac line.... plugged idle-up valve... no fresh drips... Now my car needs a good wash and wax! Its has moss growing on it and grease, or should I say transmission fluid... I am hoping this is the end of this issue, as least for awhile. Thanks for all of the replies and advice!

Thanks. Do these cars have a "hotter running" engine, or about average to other cars? I know some 4-cyls will run hotter. Both of my early 70s GM cars still have several of the original hoses in the engine bay and they are still soft and pliable and in good condition. Most are vac lines though, but the old big V8s seem to run cooler.

lol. Thanks! Yeah, I hope so. Hopefully nothing else will break. I never dreamed that hose was leaking. It had been leaking for a long time... at least two years, but it kept getting worse. I thought it was the actual pump, which is why I put it off. Its going to feel SO NICE to not have to see drips under the car, add fluid or see smoke billowing out from the back when I 1st start it. :) I am amazed at how hard and brittle that hose was. I will have to snap a photo when I go back out and post it. It just crumbled when I tried to bend it. It wasnt even leaking at the end, it was leaking at the "bend" of the hose. I hope things like the fuel lines on these cars hold up better than that. They must, I have not heard of many engine fires on these cars. :) Thanks again!

Randy, the mount is only a month old, with about 100 miles on it, but I think I have the car repaired and wont be parting it out now. It turned out being a $1.90 hose and not the $290. high pressure line like I thought. You can buy a mount (Toyota OEM) for $62 at Lexus of Pembroke Pines.

Update #50.... ;) Got the return hose off. Man, it looked easy, but was a PITN! Its a tight area unless you remove the air filter housing, but I managed to get it off. The hose was so hard and dry it just crumbled and I had a hard time getting it off of the nipple on the reservoir. I had to end up cutting the hose behind the nipple, then fight to get the remains off of the nipple. I simply bought 10 inches of 3/8 hose at an auto parts store. They had a listing for a return line for a LS400, but it was $11., which is cheap, but he said the regular hose would be fine and it was only 1.90. I got everything cleaned back up AGAIN, as this made a terrible mess as all of the fluid came out of the reservoir. I started it, turned the wheel several times, let it run for about 15 minutes and NO leaks - at least so far. I am going to go out in about 3 hours and check it again and then I will know, because it had been leakin within a few minutes. The steering turns so much easier now and the shudder is gone. I will report back later.... I HOPE and pray to the good Lord above this solves the problem!

I think I know whats leaking... its in the above post. Going out now to try to replace it. Well see.

...is this that hose? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/p...p;parentId=46-0 The hose is really cheap, so I will probably go ahead and replace it anyway.

OK! I think I know whats leaking! I am going to post photos below! (see above post first) I went out and the fluid is fresh where I mentioned before. Also, the hose that runs out of the back of the PS pump is wet with fluid. There was this thick insulation type of stuff over it and it was wet. I went ahead and pulled that mess off. The hose appears to move on the nipple when I move it, so I dont know if its leaking there at the connection or the hose itself? Here are some pics... any advice / info? According to the link that AZ posted, it shows its a "return hose"? Here is that mushy pad that was over the hose... see the fluid? I think its coming from this hose on the back of the pump... the rack dont appear to be leaking... Also looks like fluid had NOT been leaking on the alternator...

FSUGUY - the rpms go down a little, but not much... I really cant tell a difference. I should have mentioned that "shudder" began before we plugged the idle-up valve. :( I started it tonight, after cleaning it up and it didnt do it and it was very low on fluid. **To update on the other posts, I FINALLY got it cleaned up this evening the best I could. I had to be careful not to dampen the alternator. Using rags was impossible... this mess was too bad, so I had to use "awesome orange" cleaner and when cleaning the upper part in the engine area, I took the nozzle off of the water hose and let it softly stream down to rinse it off, without wetting the alternator and I covered the side of it the best I could with a plastic bag. I then soaked down the underside, then blasted it with the nozzle on it. I refilled the reservior, started the car and let it run for about 15 minutes to dry the water up some and then I shut it off. (BTW, ALL of the smoking went away when I start it) I need to let it set for awhile to see if I can see leaks, but I took a look shortly after and I didnt see any drips under the car, but I did see what appeared to be fresh fluid already looming around the front part of the frame area, directly below the abs brake/air filter housing area. <_< I cant be sure. I am going to let it set for about 3 or 4 hours, go out and check again and snap more photos. ;)

lol... dining at the Ritz would be nice. lol. :) Well, its probably only a dream.... I guess it depends on the price and how long it takes her to get a new car. I may end up with something else by then. Maybe even another LS, but next time a LOW mile model and one without major problems going on.... and definitely a 1995 or up model. A nice 01 LS430 would be fine. :) Oh, you had asked about the rack.... it dont appear to be leaking, but has fluid on the passenger side of it where the leaking hose or whatever it is has caused it to blow back. The dripping is toward the front, directly under the PS pump. Thats OK. I know how it sometimes sounds. Yeah its been really draining on me, this problem with the car and I get agitated and proably even repeat myself. I knew there was an issue with the PS leak, but it just out of the blue went haywire and I was not expecting all of these different things cropping up, so yeah its got me on edge asking tons of questions. I thought it was simply the idle-up valve, so yeah, when that potential hose deal happened, it got me going again. Anyway as soon as I can I will get it cleaned up as much as I can and see whats going on. I hope it is that high pressure hose and I can get one either made or buy a new one under $100... like the one posted that was on ebay for $81. Then I hope that shudder deal with my steering on hard turns at low speeds/stop is being caused by that hose issue, because I hopes it not the rack. I cant imagine everything with the PS being totally wacked out on this car at once. That would be bad. Going to bed now... long day tomorrow. Thanks.

Thanks JP. Thanks Blacktop. I will do that with the cleaning. Maybe I can get it good enough with the rags to get some of the heavy stuff off so I can see where the leak is. Good advice about walking away and taking deep breaths. :) I had to do that the other day, or I would have probably beat the car with a sledge hammer. lol. My mom also says that too about its only a car.... in fact she says that alot. :) Thanks again!

... the good news is today that my aunt with a 2003 LS430 said she is getting a new 2010 model soon and will sell me her LS VERY CHEAP and maybe even give it to me. How I wish. Well see. I dont even know if I want it after all I have been through with this one. Thats terrible I know.

Thanks Blacktop.. your posts are always helpful. :) Yeah, all the car needs to be in driving condition again is this power steering leak stopped. I can drive it with it leaking this bad. The valve covers are not that bad... I dont notice any different in the oil level between the 4000-5000 mile changes. I only get an occasional puff of smoke from under the hood and a strange smell that smells like diesel fuel. It comes from the left back of the engine when it does it. I noticed it one time when I had it running with the hood up. Strange, but I am assuming its the valve covers. The motor mounts can wait to... they are just an annoyance. I have been trying to save enough money without getting into my savings account to get the valve covers and motor mounts done, but now with the PS deal, its something else to probably spend a fortune on. Maybe not. Need to clean that up as AZ said and see where its leaking. ;) Gotta be careful though... I know I just cant start spraying cleaner and water down there because wont it toast the alternator? I guess I could spray it with some HD cleaner and blast the whole thing. I really dont care anymore what I tear up. What else could go wrong? I guess I first became frustrated when the idle-up valve started leaking and I was being told about 6 different things (not here) on what to do and I had no idea. I was told that would also stop my external leak, but it didnt. Its not leaking there as you can see. Now I am told that it could be the "screens" that need to be cleaned and that could stop the leak. ? I guess you are right... I am sure I have it much better off than most people... I do have three other cars I can drive, even if the one I am having to drive to work now gets 9 - 10 mpg. I am sorry if I have got on anyones nerves. I will probably see if I can get SW or blake to delete my thread and I will try to figure this out on my own. I could always opt to use the Toyota mechanic I know that did the fan bracket bearing, but who knows how much more $ that will be. I was hoping to be able to resolve this without doing that. What started out as a simple easy task to take care of my problems keep stemming out more and more. Guess I am like a gnat on these boards. Oh, I like that part about the spider.... my only problem is I weave a tangled web. ;) Thanks again for all of the info. I will take the advice given so far and go from there.

ARE YOU NOT HEARING ME????? Clean things up so you CAN be sure. Once you know exactly where the leak is coming from, then you'll know what needs to be replaced. Until you do, you're starting to waste our time!!! Or at least getting on my nerves.:chairshot: This entire issue has been on my nerves for weeks now. Geez, Im sorry. I just asked because I was wondering which one was the high pressure hose if thats what I needed. It shows both as high pressure hoses and I was simply wondering which one of those were the high pressure hoses. *Notice that I said in that reply, "we need to make sure thats where the leak is first though, I bet it is". I just wanted to get an idea. I just was wondering which of those was the high pressure hose. I checked the link you posted and it shows it, but dont mention it. Yes, I am going to clean that area just as soooooooooon as I possibly can. I wanted to do it this evening, but it didnt happen. You have to understand I work a very busy job and I dont have a garage and just cant strut out and do everything at once. I am also not in that great of physical condition since my car accident in 1994. I do what I can and have my dad help me with the rest. He is self employeed and owns his own gallery and cant do whatever whenever I need it. He does what he can. It poured rain all day Saturday... he did the plug deal on Sunday AM... I noticed it was still leaking Sunday evening... I worked an 11 hour shift at work on three hours of sleep on Monday and only had time to post the above pics.... I had to be back at work at 8am Tuesday morning and didnt get off until 6pm. I helped a co worker with her car and when I got home it was dark. I had intentions of cleaning it this evening, but it didnt happen. I have to be back at 9am Wednesday morning, take my grandma to church Wednesday night, it will be dark again, work 9-2 on Thursday, surgery Thursday afternoon at 3:00, then off on Friday. I dont even have anything to clean it yet. I know I will have to be careful because of the alternator.... or maybe out of frustration I will spray it with orange blast and blast the heck out of it and if it ruins the alternator, that will be another $300 repair I guess. I guess I will do the best I can with rags. Out of the entire 6 years I have been here on this site, I finally got on someones nerves. <_< That was not my intentions. Sounds like someone is more stressed than I am. I have offered alot of helpful advice over the years to people here on things I actually know about, I am not always this annoying. Maybe I should leave and not bother anyone else and just forget it. Thanks for all of the replies.

Thanks Billy. I will tell you, this is so frustrating. I had not planned on having to spend this much money on this car for this problem I have. Power steering systems sure are costly on these cars arent they? The dealer wants like $325 for it and thats at Pembroke Pines Lexus. Autozone has them for $79 or $69... it has two different prices for two different hoses. I am not sure which one I need. We need to make sure thats where the leak is first though.... I bet it is. I am going to be honest though, I am wondering if I should call it quits on this car. I mean if I spend this $100 on this hose and that "shudder" remains, then that will mean the rack is probably shot... I cannot afford to replace that. I am not a wealthy person and this car that I still owe $2400 on is driving me crazy and to the poor house and is literally depressing me to the max. I know I cant get $2400 for it like this. I still dont even know how to clean the screen/filters on the pump or rack. Then even after this, I still have the bad motor mounts issue and leaky valve cover gaskets... it dont leave drips, but I get occasional puffs of smoke that smell like diesel fumes from time to time, so thats strange. I am so confused. I may sell it for a loss and my Mercedes (as much as I hate to) and take that money and pay it off and take a huge loss and cry it off. Poor gets poorer anyway right? :( Maybe one day the good Lord will send me a nice new car that dont have leaks. Thanks for the help. :)

Thanks. I guess that will be a good job when I get home from work tomorrow. I am really tired though... burned out on it. Seems like its one thing after the other. Even after I get the leak stopped, I am still faced with why I am getting that "shudder" on hard turns at stops/low speeds. Probably the rack knowing my luck. :( Thanks again and for that link.

Here are the photos taken tonight. The valve is not leaking that we plugged. I am wondering if its coming from the line that I have circled in yellow? Is that the high pressure line? Is that a pain to replace and costly? As posted in the long other thread, where I had smoke on start-up, we have plugged the valve... smoke is gone and the valve area is not leaking, but I am still losing alot of fluid. Dont appear to be going on the alternator..... someone said high pressure hose could be leaking... here are photos.... any suggestions? How expensive/hard is this to replace? PS fluid seems to be pooled in here now, but my dad said he thinks he spilled fluid there... ?????? the plugged idle-up valve... fluid dont appear to have leaked into the alternator... OH BOY! Still leaking like a sieve! I cant drive this car like this! Re-routed hose.... Thanks for any additional advice.....

Photos taken... see new thread pertaining to the new/other issue. Dont want this one to go on any longer for me to be snickered at because of all of the photos here. ;)

Just buy mine for $2500 and do whatever you what for however long you want.... The PS leaks like a dang seive, but other than that. <_<