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The fins for transferring the heat away on the condensor & radiator may be clogged with debris (bugs, etc). You didn't mention mileage, but this may be worth a look.
The fins for transferring the heat away on the condensor & radiator may be clogged with debris (bugs, etc). You didn't mention mileage, but this may be worth a look.
Could just be a problem with the thermostat. Given your other info it seems that everything else is in good shape.
Thanks! I actually think it might be the gauge itself! I noticed than when the car is completely cold the lowest it goes it a bit above the "bottom" line. Anyhow, I'm taking it in actually this week to have it looked it again--driving it to Vegas in a few weeks and I don't want it to die in the desert!
I have owned two Lexus LS400s, one was a 1990 and the other was a 1991. One had 240K and the other had 225K when I sold them. I never seen the gauges (temperature) go over 1/2 way. I think they always maxed out at lightly below the middle. I had good service out of those cars, but one gave me a fit with the power steering (the lower mileaged '91 model).
I now have a 1995 Lincoln Town Car with over 200K. Never no problems with the cooling system, it never goes over 1/2 way up, even on the hottest of days in heavy congested traffic.
The other day I noticed that the car temp gauge on my LS400 is showing a little above one whole mark past halfway. I know for a fact that it has been lower than that... but to be honest I can't recall the last time I noticed where the gauge was set. Anyhow, the temperature doesn't climb fast and stays at that point without going higher regardless of how long the car is driven. The car is driving fine and hasn't overheated. My coolant levels are good, radiator fan is blowing fine, and there are no leaks.
I plan on taking the car in on Friday to my mechanic to get looked at, but do you guys think it's probably the thermostat? What's the likelihood of it being something worse, like the water pump? There's no way to know until I get it checked out, but I'm worrying, so I figured I'd ask here if anyone has had a similar problem.
Based on what you said so far, it sounds like the thermostat. The oem thermostat is not very expensive at $16.42 online. If you are mixing your coolant yourself, make sure you have the right concentration.
Yup, it was the gauge! Took it to the dealer a few days ago -- thermostat was fine and car running at normal temp, it's just that the instrument panel gauge has slipped a bit and is not showing an accurate reading. Wanted to charge me $600 to fix... I passed for the time being.
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Anyhow, the temperature doesn't climb fast and stays at that point without going higher regardless of how long the car is driven. The car is driving fine and hasn't overheated. My coolant levels are good, radiator fan is blowing fine, and there are no leaks.
