Toyota/Lexus P0128 Thermostat Replacement

[@jpete3027666]

We have 214k miles on our 2004. I just replaced the thermostat. I was bummed it wasn’t more accessible but it was easier than I thought it was going to be. These cars sure are easy to work on and will literally run forever. Love them.

[@TheDigimojo]

The absolute best thing about this video is that you admitted your mistake of putting the thermostat in backwards. Very instructive. I applaud you for this - most people hide or ignore their mistakes which prevents others from learning from them. Also, since I only work on old cars (mostly Toyota, Honda), I have broken the tabs on *many* an electrical connector and am now a zip-tie artist. So, I slowed down the video to watch your zip-tie technique. Excellent work, thanks!

[@tongo117]

Yeah I didn't get far on my test drive before the temp gauge/needle started to climb.. Didn't want others to make that mistake.. And yes, God Bless zip ties!!

[@TheDigimojo]

@@tongo117 What was the site you used early in the video (00:22) to confirm that the t-stat replacement would most likely fix the P0128?

[@tongo117]

Sorry, don't remember.. I likely searched for 2005 Highlander P0128 and wound up on that site..

[@AnalogWolf]

This is a great video. I like the bits of tape to see where you are referring to. My 2003 ES300 has 188K on it and I am starting to get slightly low temperature levels and the error code associated with it. Sometimes it works fine, other times it is low, other times it stays low for 40 minutes and comes back to normal etc. I'm pretty sure that thermostat is sticking. I'd like to replace it myself, but it looks quite intimidating with all the stuff you have to get out of the way to get to the housing. I was able to change my own oil for the first time, although it took hours as I had to run to the store to get tools to get the filter off due to it being massively overtightened. I did feel good getting that job done though! Also, good for you on showing your mistake as many of us could make the same one. If I try this, I'll remember to make an orientation mark and take a photo before I pull the thermostat out. I am also glad you used an OEM thermostat and OEM coolant. Both of these are reasonably priced, even compared to generic stuff so there's no real good reason to use anything other than the Toyota brand.

[@johnschuler3269]

Most Grateful for your fine video. I am sad for you that you initially got it backwards. BUT ... want to say it was both kind and courageous of you to show us all how to avoid the "Reverse" error. I have a 2003 Lexus RX-300 with the 1MZ-FE engine: It is very low mileage, but I have changed the 2 AFRs and the O2 Sensor, plus a number of other sensors and solenoids as preventive maintenance due to AGE. Note: I also checked and re-worked all the grounds in the engine bay; I added toothed (inner and outer) lock washers to avoid weird ground-fault problems. I did the 120K service myself (at 114 K). Unlike the dealers, I also changed all 6 plugs and coils, PLUS the VVT Solenoids. Also changed the P.S. Fluid. Confession: I needed new rotors, so just had the "Brake Shop" do the brake fluid change at that time. I also farm out any suspension-related work to that shop. (Les Schwab here in Oregon) Were it easier, I would also just change the thermostat (before failure) along with other "old" sensors / servos, etc. e.g. MAF, PCV Valve, etc., that I replaced. But will just wait and change the thermostat once it "acts up". I might also change both knock sensors at that time. Tip: For 1MZ-FE owners. (aka Toyota V6 3.0L) I watched the Hawaii Budget Mechanic. Josh gve me the couage to do the back coils and plugs WITHOUT have to remove the intake plenum. Note: Dealers just LOVE to change the rear plugs ... but NOT the Coils ... they then make a fortune changing each coil ONE at a time ... as each one fails over time ... a few months or a year apart. Re: Ease of Service, I smiled when one person said it was "not too difficult". As a comparison, I owned a '92 Dodge minivan for 3 decades and THAT thermostat took about 20 MINUTES to change!. At that time, I also replaced the radiator and related hoses ... All a "piece of cake". That said, the Lexus RX 300 has been, all things considered, one impressive machine! BTW: Here is a tip for ALL owners who have the servos / actuators that control air flow and hot/cold doors. They fail and "HUNT" ... because the wiper arm and Printed-Circuit traces are NOT gold plated. (The wiper arm scrapes the plating off tand exposes the copper traces; that copper "Dust" cause weird short. It can also oxidize and the resulting copper sulfate causes intermittent "dis-connects". Instead of changing a $100 actuator ($300 or more with labor) , you can spray WD-40 into the "pivot" area. The WD-40 will "wash" the copper dust down to the bottom of the the black housing. (No harm, no foul) We can do this, but not a shop or dealer; they would NOT be able to warranty that kind of work. I did all 3 of mine 3 years ago and they are still working well with no "Hunting". Thanks again, John in the NW

[@DJRayBoston]

i have an 2003 lexus es300, cleaned the throttle body more than once, the car will relearn the idle, no need to disconnect the battery. really good filming of the thermostat , i may be needing this myself.

[@dom19945]

After watching this video, I’m definitely just taking it to the shop.

[@SevenSixTwo2012]

That's exactly why Toyota designed it this way. Ridiculous designs and terrible anti-DIY business practices = more money for their parts & service department!

[@janqs2459]

Ha...that's for termostat only .Rest of it is piece of cake. Try to change battery in any of american car . U will see what I mean

[@SevenSixTwo2012]

@@janqs2459 You have no clue of what you're talking about. I've been working on many cars for two decades now, most of them American, and the Toyota Highlander we have in the family is BY FAR the biggest anti-DIY POS I've ever seen. Designed by knuckleheads, with dealership-only service in mind. And yes, it breaks down regularly despite constant maintenance. As for "changing a battery on American cars", it is literally a matter of unbolting one bolt and removing the terminals. Swapping a battery is pretty much standard on ALL cars, except some Euro-trash with batteries in the trunk, and some Dodges.

[@robert5712]

Thanks for the very good video. You have a good ability to keep the steps coming with out dead time, appreciate that.

[@tongo117]

You are welcome.. Thanks for your reply..

[@nishtabaldo8618]

Thanks man I got my mom van fix because of you bro

[@tongo117]

Glad to have helped.. Thanks for reply..

[@mikeg7011]

Very nicely done video. Straight to the point. Good work man...and thanks for sharing

[@tongo117]

You are welcome.. Thanks for reply..

[@jimmy91710]

THANK YOU! You are absolutely awesome.

[@tongo117]

You are welcome.. Thanks for reply..

[@jeraldomiguel]

Well done, nice steps and detail.

[@tongo117]

Thanks..

[@tommynguyen2612]

Thank you for sharing this helpful video.

[@tongo117]

You are welcome.. Thanks for reply..

[@mountainbiker4450]

Nice video. Thanks for posting. I want to change the coolant on my 2005 Highlander V6 with a 3.3 and was wondering are there any air bleeder valves that need to be opened up during the air burping process?

[@tongo117]

I don't think the V6 3MZ FE engine has a bleeder valve.. If I'm wrong and there is one I've never used it.. I've just drained the radiator and reservoir.. Refilled coolant and run the engine till warm with the radiator cap off.. Then check for leaks and top off reservoir.. There are engine block drain bolts shown in the pic on the web page below.. I've never messed with those either.. www.tohighlander.com/coolant_3mz_fe_-543.html

[@peterlansdale1793]

This is a great vid, thanks!

[@2peas1959]

I'm sure you caught it by now.. but 2 hoses aren't connected on the air cleaner.

[@HellShredder713]

"an idiot like me" just means you're normal like the rest of us DIY folks lol. Thanks for sharing.

[@tongo117]

yeah not my first or last mistake..

[@jpete3027666]

Yep exactly, everything I’m doing is the first time for me. So I make mistakes along the way or have the unexpected headache of a broken bolt. But in the end still pretty satisfying doing these things myself and avoid getting ripped off by people that don’t even do the job right a lot of the time.

[@robertdiehl9003]

Great informative video... Ty

[@Franksinatra96]

Hello I have a question I heard you mentioned about bleeding the system but in your video it doesn't show you doing it however if a car has a thermostat that has that weep hole does that mean you don't have to bleed the system also can you alter a aftermarket thermostat and drill a tiny weep hole your feed back is highly appreciated

[@tongo117]

10:43 starts the bleeding process.. Squeezing the hoses and running the engine with the radiator cap off to remove air bubbles within the cooling system/engine.. Not sure about drilling a weep hole in aftermarket thermostat.. Doesn't seem like that would hurt anything but that's up to you to try.. Or buy OEM thermostat and you don't have to worry about it..

[@Franksinatra96]

@@tongo117 thank you so let's me get this straight if I purchase an OEM thermostat well this is a 2 part question do I still have to bleed it and or I can just bleed just by squeezing the hose like what you did in the video

[@tongo117]

Squeezing the hose gets some air out but you need to run the engine also with the radiator cap off.. You can see air bubbling up in the funnel as the engine is running.. If I had not run the engine that air would have been trapped in the cooling system/engine..

[@Franksinatra96]

@@tongo117 my man I appreciate the input

[@markvizcarra4086]

Nice work

[@timedj9164]

Can thermostat go bad with no code?

[@kevinjack5184]

2007 Solara with the same engine. I guess it would be the same

[@jbl9694]

Run into the same broken plastic clips as you. Everytime i work on my 05 hilander those clips break

[@crazedgoldminner7384]

Yeah if you did any jobs by the time it says in the book on those Toyota Highlander seat be eaten the job every time because I just did a timing belt change and they say you can do it in 3.6 hours I got news for you takes more like 10

[@SevenSixTwo2012]

Insane amount of work for a thermostat replacement. Literally everything about these Highlanders is a royal PITA to work on, purposely designed to be anti-DIY and for the work to cost as much as possible. The only thing Toyota has left at this point is brand loyalty from some folks, because their designs and business practices are horrendous.

[@AnalogWolf]

I think cramped quarters are the name of the game with any front wheel drive engine due to everything being sideways. My dad's Grand Marquis which is also a 2003 has easy access to spark plugs, the alternator, etc. I saw him change out the thermostat in about ten minutes.

[@skorpion59]

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