Coolant change questions...

[testrider]

Hi all,
I'm going to try to replace the coolant myself on my 03 V8 4Runner. I would appreciate any comments:

- The shop manual shows 3 drain plugs (1 on radiator and 2 on the engine). Are the engine plugs hard to remove? Do I need to remove the steel plate under the engine in order to access them?

- After draining all the coolant from radiator and engine. Refilling the radiator won't put coolant back in the engine block, as the thermostat is still closed, right? If yes, then is it ok to run the engine until it warms up for the thermostat to open (so that I can fill in more coolant to the radiator)?

- Do I have to use Toyota red coolant or can I get generic coolant from the autopart store?

Thank you very much in advance.

-mike-

 

[testrider]

50 views and no comment? Nobody changes the coolant yet?

 

[Jacobzky]

i thought the toyota filled coolant last around 100k miles. can someone confirm this? if not correct me if im wrong.

 

[toto]

Toyota used "Long-Life Coolant", a/k/a "Toyota Red", from 1999-2003. LLC is good for 30,000 miles.

Starting in model year 2004, Toyota went to "Super Long-Life Coolant", a/k/a "Toyota Pink". SLLC should be good up to 100,000 miles.

You may mix or replace LLC with SLLC. I don't think dealers carry LLC anymore. If you mix LLC with SLLC, you should stay on the LLC replacement schedule. If you fully replace the LLC with the SLLC, you can start following the 100,000 mile schedule.

 

[jeober]

There is good information in this forum that you should be able to find with a search. I remember a specific thread that was excellent.

The engine plugs are difficult to access.
You will be OK on refilling. The thermostat will open even if the block is low on coolant.

Because the radiator holds approx. 1/2 total coolant capacity which is around 2 gallons if memory serves me. I plan to change by:
1) draining radiator only.
2) fill with fresh water
3) engine up to temperature to mix
4) repeat steps 1-3, perhaps up to 4-6 times. [each time you're ridding the old coolant by 1/2+1/4+1/8+1/16..., replacing with fresh water.]
5) after the last drain, fill the radiator with approx. 1 gallon 100% anti-freeze so you have an overall 50/50 mix.

 

[POS Racing]

Toyota used "Long-Life Coolant", a/k/a "Toyota Red", from 1999-2003. LLC is good for 30,000 miles.

Starting in model year 2004, Toyota went to "Super Long-Life Coolant", a/k/a "Toyota Pink". SLLC should be good up to 100,000 miles.

Interesting, so why does my dealer want to replace the coolant in my Runner at the 30,000 mile mark, things that make you go hmmmmmm.... :

 

[schan1w]

You may mix or replace LLC with SLLC. I don't think dealers carry LLC anymore. If you mix LLC with SLLC, you should stay on the LLC replacement schedule. If you fully replace the LLC with the SLLC, you can start following the 100,000 mile schedule. [/B]

SLLC is replaced at 100K miles and then every 50K miles after that. Not sure why the schedule changes after the first replacement - maybe QC is better at the factory. So if you replace LLC with SLLC, it seems that you should replace SLLC every 50K miles afterwards. I would just continue to use LLC if that's what you started with.

 

[Kmvreter]

There is good information in this forum that you should be able to find with a search. I remember a specific thread that was excellent...

The engine plugs are difficult to access...

5) after the last drain, fill the radiator with approx. 1 gallon 100% anti-freeze so you have an overall 50/50 mix.

There is a good thread somewhere.
I changed my SLLC but could only easily get to the passenger side plug (not much came out.)
Did as jeober suggests but only once. Refilled my '04 with SLLC because it isn't sold in concentrated form. It is only available premixed here so didn't do the water flush. Planning on redoing a one jug partial drain and fill every 36K to keep it fresh.

 

[Jacobzky]

Interesting, so why does my dealer want to replace the coolant in my Runner at the 30,000 mile mark, things that make you go hmmmmmm.... :

for their own extra $ to help cover their overhead expenses.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I changed my antifreeze last year. It was easy. Drain the radiator. Attach a hose to the block drains into a bucket, open the valve on the drain, after draining tighten valve bolt on drain. Make sure you do both sides of the block. Fill radiator. After the thermostat opens you will have to add more fluid.

 

[liquidvw]

I never use "fresh water" ie tap water in a radiator. tap water contains minerals which should not be in your engine. To prove my point take some tap water and boil it until there is no water left. You will be left with a white powder. To prevent this stuff from getting in your engine, use distilled water.

 

[ALLEGRO]

There is good information in this forum that you should be able to find with a search. I remember a specific thread that was excellent.

The engine plugs are difficult to access.
You will be OK on refilling. The thermostat will open even if the block is low on coolant.

Because the radiator holds approx. 1/2 total coolant capacity which is around 2 gallons if memory serves me. I plan to change by:
1) draining radiator only.
2) fill with fresh water
3) engine up to temperature to mix
4) repeat steps 1-3, perhaps up to 4-6 times. [each time you're ridding the old coolant by 1/2+1/4+1/8+1/16..., replacing with fresh water.]
5) after the last drain, fill the radiator with approx. 1 gallon 100% anti-freeze so you have an overall 50/50 mix.

:iagree:

I flushed 6 times on my Corvette until it ran totally clear. Takes a while but it is the best way to get all the old coolant out.

I changed mine in the Corvette after 6 years. It should have been changed during the 5th year. ....Cut to the chase....the old DexCool came out looking brand new. I would suspect that it could have gone a couple years more. It is stated 5 years or 100,000 miles.