This weekend I plan on refilling, draining or flushing my coolant. I noticed the other day that my coolant was at the low mark which means it's needs to be topped off or whatever. I plan on doing this myself and do not honestly know the ways to go about this.

I would like some help on whether I should do just a refill, drain or flush and which ever you recommend could you please explain the ways to do so? I am asking for help on this because I previously owned a Land Rover which had coolant issues all the time and I get nervous when it comes to dealing with anything dealing with coolant now. Trust me I had some serious issues and would prefer others who have done this to help with advice is doing ether a refill, drain or flush.

A little about the vehicle:

Year: 2004
Trim: SR5
Engine: V6 4X4
Mileage: 148,000

I bought this vehicle with 135,000 miles on it and the previous owner did not have service records or anything they had performed on the vehicle. So with that being said I have no idea if it's ever been drained, flushed or anything.

I am afraid sort of to do a complete flush because of my coolant issues with the Land Rover I previously owned and the nightmares that came with it.

I need advice on which method I should choose and could you please explain how to perform the method you have stated.

Thanks

I'd top it off and keep an eye on it before doing anything more involved. If it is losing coolant I would want to know that before buying coolant and deciding on the desired flush or fill (around $25/gal for the Toyota recommended fluid)

Do an advanced search on the forum for all your answers about V6's and coolant.
Try not to get spooked by some of the discussions.

IMO if you have no idea when it was done I would do a flush. . . . never had a problem with it myself. You can take it in or do it yourself. If you do it yourself you need to remove the thermostat and re-install the housing without the stat. You then drain the radiator and fill with water. Start the motor and run for a minute. Turn off and drain radiator then top off with water. Repeat until the draining fluid comes out clear. Completely empty the radiator, install thermostat ( I always put a new one in at this time.) and then put in 5 1/2 quarts of Toyota LLC coolant, the system holds 10.4 I believe, and top off with water. This will give you just a tad over a 50/50 mix. I would then put a 50/50 mixture in your over flow up to the max level mark. Keep an eye on it for a couple days and add 50/50 fluid to the overflow if needed.

Ok, so you say to top it off and watch for leaks for anything. So when I top it off do I top it off through the radiator or through the overflow tank area? I want to make sure the overflow tank indicator mark shows full but not sure if I should fill up through the overflow tank or through the radiator. Is there any bleeding or removal of air process?

refill through the overflow tank.
use only toyota brand coolant.

Radiator fluid looses it's potency after a while. If you drain and refill every couple of years it'll help prevent any future problems with radiator and water pump.

As for using Toyota brand Fluid. There are other companies that make Toyota specific fluid. In fact they are the ones who make it for Toyota. Toyota does NOT make ANY of it's fluids.

Do I need to breath or air the system out at all?

I'm not sure what maintenance is in order under the circumstances but drains and fills are very easy so I'd start there. The system self purges air so no need to worry about that (you could play it safe by making sure to operate the heater afterwards).

Drain it at the spot in the pic (the white butterfly valve is partially hidden). It probable works fine to just let it drain but I like to use a small piece of 1/4" interior diameter hose, which is a tad narrow but stretching the end to fit is easy enough (hot water and a fat pen, for instance). In the V8 I get just shy of 3 quarts.

The radiator fills very slowly so a funnel with a very small opening makes it easier.

Space the drains/fills a few days or more apart, and do it three times and you'll have more than 1/2 new fluid. Then once a year or so after that.

It occurred to me I'm not sure when Toyota started using the pink Super Long Life fluid so you better verify compatibility before you start any drains and fills.

Im about to tackle this job tomorrow. Just wondering what size clear tubing is used on the picture above?

I just

I just did this earlier this morning. I just drained the radiator and engine block an refilled with new. Just make sure to run the engine with the heater on for a few minutes and get the temp up, then add more fluid after it re distributes.

Figured I'd recheck this thread while the oil drains on the truck

Where is the Coolant Drain Plug on the Block? Driver's side or passenger side, and what does it look like?

Sorry, i need to purchase the service manual for the truck.

I do a drain and refill every 30k. Have never flushed and have no issues, leak down good. Talked to a Toyota mechanic and he said to used Toyota red because something about the acid level and water pump lubricity. I've been running the pink premixed the whole time no problems.

bottom of radiator.