Lexus GX 460: Pink crust around the front of the engine, coolant smell, or slow coolant loss with no puddle

Checks, in order

1. Look at the water pump weep hole
   With a light, look below the pump pulley at the front of the engine and at the top of the skid plate for dried pink or white residue. Lexus bulletin L-SB-0039-20 distinguishes a seep (dried residue, no drip) from a leak; dealers may not replace a pump that only seeps. Owner-reported dealer parts: pump 16100-09525 about $125, belt about $55, plus roughly $700 labor.
   easy $ · under about $50
2. Pressure test the system
   A cooling system pressure tester held at cap pressure for 20 minutes will show a leak you cannot see running. Check the heater hose plastic T-fittings at the firewall while you are there; owners report them crumbling and replace them with Lexus hose assemblies or brass tees.
   easy $ · under about $50
3. Valley plate
   Coolant at the back of the engine or on the bell housing, with no pump residue, is the valley plate. The intake manifold comes off and the plate is resealed with FIPG. Dealer quotes run around $2,000; owners have had it done under goodwill for less, and it is cheaper combined with other top-end work. Reported between about 70,000 and 120,000 miles.
   hard $$$ · shop-level job, $500+
4. Refill correctly
   Use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink premix). Capacity is roughly 14.5 quarts, more with the rear heater. Refill under vacuum or bleed carefully; an air pocket in a V8 shows up as a heater that blows cold and a temperature gauge that swings.
   medium $ · under about $50

Applies to: Lexus GX 460, 2010 to 2023, with the 1UR-FE 4.6L V8 and the A760F 6-speed automatic. Air suspension items apply to Premium (2010–2013) and Luxury (2014+) trims with rear air springs; KDSS was standard on most US trucks. Secondary air injection items apply to 2010–2013.

Tools and parts for these checks

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More Lexus GX 460 problems

• Check engine light with flashing 4LO and TRAC OFF, won't shift past 3rd or 4th when cold (P2714) (Transmission)
• Check engine light with 4LO and TRAC OFF flashing, codes P0418, P2440, P2442, P2445 (2010–2013) (Emissions)
• Truck sits lower on one side, leans right, or KDSS feels stiff after a lift (Steering & Suspension)
• Rear end sags, rides soft or bottoms out, compressor runs a lot, or a Check Air Suspension message (Steering & Suspension)
• Oil on the front of the engine, oil in the spark plug wells, or burning oil smell after a drive (Engine)
• Steering wheel flutter or vibration at 55–70 mph that balancing did not fix (Steering & Suspension)

All 8 Lexus GX 460 symptoms in the interactive troubleshooter →

General guidance from owner experience. Confirm torque specs, fluid capacities and procedures in the factory service manual. Brakes, steering and anything structural: if in doubt, have a qualified shop inspect it before driving.