my 08 4 runner w v6 has 23k miles and the original coolant. im looking to dump out the old and put in new. shall i just drain from peacock until its empty and add the new? is it possible to run the engine till it all comes out w the peacock open? or should i run the engine w the peacock open and run a hose till it all comes out? would residual water inside the engine mixed w the pink coolant contaminate the system? thanks everyone
08 4 runner coolant change
- Thread starter nvestor88
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ChaosStarter
New member
Why waste the time and money? That pink coolant is good to at least 100k miles.
aha2988
New member
the engine block as drain peacock valves as well one on each side just below the head connection to the block.
to flush the system just open the radiator drain and drain out all the coolant, removed the theromostate from the housing its in the reattach the housing. disonnect the upper radiator hose from the radiator take a garden hose and stick in the upper radiator hose (helps to stuff a rag in around the hose to build a little pressure inside the coolant channels) just pump water through it for a good 15 minutes or until the water flowing out of the radiator top is clear. Also turn the power on(not the engine) just the power and set your thermostate setting to high on the a/c heater controls (this opens up the heater coils for the water flush)
After you've flushed out the entire coolant system open the radiator peacock valve and both the engine block peacock valves and let all the dirty garden hoes water drain out (can cause contaminates and corrosion if left in your engine)
after all the water drains out, close all the drain valves then refill the coolant system you can use the toyota coolant or use a comparable aftermarket coolant just make sure it complys with toyota coolant standards.
lol and dont call toyota to ask were the drain valves are on the block the tech i spoke with didnt even know they existed lol. they use a machine to flush and fill but its not neccessary easily done in the drive way or back yard. Ill recomend to dispose of your old coolant in proper manor as its not good to let it run off into the enviroment but.... (i drained mine on my gravel driveway sshhh dont tell anyone lol)
YotaDriver
New member
As the previous poster stated, the pink coolant from the factory is good for 100,000 miles. Maybe you should buy a test kit before spending the money to swap out perfectly good coolant.
aha2988
New member
if you took it to toyota thats likely what they would do is just drain and refill the radiator. sufficient for your mileage. a coolant flush isnt really needed unless theres alot of debree or corrsion build up in the coolant system. the debree and corrosion can cause your thermostate to not open or remain open causing cooling issues.
YotaDriver
New member
They sell test strips which let you know if your coolant is still working. The kit comes with a color chart so you just dunk the strip in your coolant, wait the appropriate amount of time (couple of minutes), and then compare it to the chart. It lets you know how well your coolant is doing.
Obviously if you're set on changing your coolant, go for it.
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BlackWorksInc
New member
23k? How "dirty" is the coolant? The Super Long Life Pink coolant is good for almost 100k and less that 1/4 of that mileage shouldn't get it that dirty... are you having any other issues?
JohnnyT
New member
Just reviving this because I don't know for sure if I need to be concerned about changing my coolant or not. It is pink and I only have 34k miles but its a 6 year old truck now and I have not prior records since I got it with 22k miles.
Should I be planning to change the coolant?
What about the front and rear diff fluid? I don't go off-road.
Thanks for the advice.
edit: more specifically, when I pop the radiator cap, the fluid looks orange in color. It is pink in the overflow container
Should I be planning to change the coolant?
What about the front and rear diff fluid? I don't go off-road.
Thanks for the advice.
edit: more specifically, when I pop the radiator cap, the fluid looks orange in color. It is pink in the overflow container
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BlackWorksInc
New member
I might look darker in the radiator because of the black background, even green coolant seems to phase shift sometimes, almost looking orange or another color even brand new.
Honestly, Toyota says a drain and fill is sufficient enough for the SLLC. The other thing to mention is that you really should be using distilled water in your system, something many of us are guilty of not doing.
Honestly, Toyota says a drain and fill is sufficient enough for the SLLC. The other thing to mention is that you really should be using distilled water in your system, something many of us are guilty of not doing.
JohnnyT
New member
SLLC?
Should I change the coolant?
What are your thoughts on the diffs?
Thanks for your input
V8Man
Member
I would never flush a cooling system unless the coolant was dark or contaminated. On my 03 V8, the coolant was changed at 90k timing belt change and when I changed the belt again at 175k. I have never seen a cleaner engine inside. The water here is hard and the amount that would be left in the system would cause deposits. I always mix with distilled water.
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cparise
New member
thx man, yea I have an 07 camry se also so the miles are split between the two. GO B'SSSSSS
Robs08Runner
New member
Definately check the acid level in the system. It's not as much the mileage as it is the age of the coolant. I'm glad I flushed mine.
SLLC is for 100K OR 5 years. I'd change it. Ethyleneglycol (base of coolant) is a highly corrosive substance, hence they put additives to neutralize it. If they recommend changing coolant after 5 years, isn't it because such additives work themselves off after this period leaving you with coolant which is still effective but also one that corrodes your engine?
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