Is Green Coolant Okay?

[mountain mike]

Just bought a 2001 4Runner Sport. I was concerned about the pink milkshake and was going to order a new radiator. I was talking to the PO about this and he told me he had recently put a radiator in it no longer than 6 months ago. I looked at the radiator and it does look new, however they filled it up with green coolant vs. Toyota's red. Is this something I should be concerned with? Is it a good idea to flush the system and fill it with the red coolant?

 

[RTI]

As long as the red and green don't get mixed, its fine to run either one.

Toyota Red and Zerex Asian have better anti corrosion properties so those are preferred but green will work fine too.

 

[amalik]

Most of us on the forum here use Toyota Red. If you do decide to go down that route, you need to get the coolant system flushed. A drain and fill will not get the old 'green' out before you pour in your Toyota Red.

This job is a little pricey at the Dealership, but it's worth it if you do it once (Especially to get all the Green out) and then do drain and fills for a while after that. The Dealership flush obviously also includes filling up with red as part of the price. You can save money on this job by buying a 'home kit' for the flush which attaches to your garden hose -- but if you want to do things right, I would do the dealership flush. That tap water running throughout the system is no good IMO.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

It's easy enough to flush it yourself. I personally wouldn't worry much about it. But if you want to do it, it's an easy DIY.

 

[mountain mike]

Thanks for the help guys. I need to get the timing belt and water pump changed out. I'll have the shop also price out a flush. If it is reasonable I will change it out, if it is going to cost a lot I may just rock the green.

 

[amalik]

Thanks for the help guys. I need to get the timing belt and water pump changed out. I'll have the shop also price out a flush. If it is reasonable I will change it out, if it is going to cost a lot I may just rock the green.

Here's where id be cautious. Many shops can do your timing belt and water pump. I assume you're not going to the dealer for this work. Most shops will have kits for the flush similar to the diy kits which will use tap water.

The reason I was specifying the dealership for the coolant flush is that they flush the system with toyota red, their power hoses are connected to a huge tank with hundreds of gallons of toyota red which is what theyll run throughout the truck to wash out the old red or green.

Anyway, just depends on your level of ocd and wallet as well, many people on here flush with tap water and don't care, but ive read that does build up deposits from the minerals in the water.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

They have what? I never heard if that for a coolant flush. Not saying you're wrong, just never heard of it.