antifreeze amount

[3bears]

I plan to do a new radiator, thermostat etc
. I also plan to flush the system
but have read conflicting amounts of fluid needed on a complete drain and fill

V6...rear heater...

what is the amounts ?

planning on running Toyota fluid, but have read the red Asian stuff is ok too

 

[mtbtim]

I recently helped another member replace a radiator, thermostat and hoses and we needed a little more than 2 gallons. We did not drain the engine block but that's only a little more.

So, I'd get yourself 2 gallons of the Toyota Red and 2 gallons of distilled water to do your 50/50 mix and you'll be good to go with some to spare.

We used a gallon measuring container to do the mix. Added 2 quarts of coolant and 2 quarts of distilled water into the container and then poured it into the radiator.

Here's the container we used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BC5GME/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[TheDurk]

I keep it simple. Flush with distilled. Drain rad, block and reservoir. Dump in gallon of Red. Dump in gallon of distilled. Make a small amount of 50/50 to finish, if needed, and to top up in future. This way, if there is distilled left in the block, you still get a 50/50 mix. You just won't get all the new distilled in.

 

[mtbtim]

If you want to make it even easier, don't flush if you already have Toyota Red in your cooling system . A member recently showed how much is left in the engine block and it's not much at all. Draining the radiator and replacing the thermostat probably gets 90-95% of the coolant out. I think the flush is only needed for people who want to switch types of coolant. My two cents.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

a flush is needed if the old coolant has exceeded the number of years recommended by Toyota because the red coolant will become acidic after a certain number of years

 

[3bears]

currently has Toyota red, done by the dealer about 5 years ago

so maybe I wont do a flush out, its really clean

 

[csp]

Acidic conditions won't show as "clean" or "dirty" A pH strip will tell you if it's acidic or not.

Personally I wouldn't fret about 5yr old antifreeze being acidic or not. As said, you'll get 90-95% of the old stuff out without a flush and the new will bring back that little bit that's left to a normal, acceptable pH level.

 

[massamoo]

is there a block drain on 3.4 engine?

Ron

 

[pluton]

The block drain is infernally inaccessible, maybe OK if you have it on a lift. Agree that 95% comes out if you pull the t-stat housing(Water Outlet in Toyota speak). Be prepared for a gusher when you pull it off.