Is this coolant level low?

[lawless97]

I am pretty inexperienced with auto maintenance and have only replaced a drive belt and engine filter. I noticed the coolant level looks really low and I need to do a coolant exchange. I have watched several videos on this and it looks like an easy DIY project for people with limited experience, but I have a couple concerns:

1. do I drain the engine block too? Some videos only drain the radiator. In this video he drains the engine block too. However some posts I saw people said not to drain the engine block because you could not burp it correctly and it could easily damage the engine block.
2. Do I need 1 gallon of coolant or two? Some videos tell you that you ONLY need one gallon, and some say you have to have two. I'm guessing the ones that say two include the engine block?

It looks like the parts, tools, and coolant will cost me $115 total, which is cheaper than the dealer's quoted $170 and I can reuse most of that purchase. More importantly, I want to learn how to do some of my own maintenance on my car, but I'm worried about destroying my engine from doing something wrong.

 

[obscurotron]

I usually just dump what's in the overflow tank, radiator, and hoses and don't bother to drain the block on the 1GR-FE. Seems I get >1 gallon out, so I always have 2 gallons on hand to make sure the radiator gets filled and the overflow bottle gets a proper amount (about 1/2 full).

 

[rumfoord]

I have nothing to comment on the coolant exchange but I have been wondering the same about that level. I top mine up to the full line maybe once a year and it eventually ends up at the same spot as yours and never seems to go lower so I have just left it. If anyone has any insight or comments on that I would love to know as well. Short of there being some kind of crack in the overflow that I cant find I can't think of any other reason.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

I am pretty inexperienced with auto maintenance and have only replaced a drive belt and engine filter. I noticed the coolant level looks really low and I need to do a coolant exchange. I have watched several videos on this and it looks like an easy DIY project for people with limited experience, but I have a couple concerns:

1. do I drain the engine block too? Some videos only drain the radiator. In this video he drains the engine block too. However some posts I saw people said not to drain the engine block because you could not burp it correctly and it could easily damage the engine block.
2. Do I need 1 gallon of coolant or two? Some videos tell you that you ONLY need one gallon, and some say you have to have two. I'm guessing the ones that say two include the engine block?

It looks like the parts, tools, and coolant will cost me $115 total, which is cheaper than the dealer's quoted $170 and I can reuse most of that purchase. More importantly, I want to learn how to do some of my own maintenance on my car, but I'm worried about destroying my engine from doing something wrong.

Your coolant is low.

1. Do not drain the engine block.

2. 2 gallons to be certain. Use the pink stuff.

Do not agonize over this. It is a very simple job.

 

[lawless97]

Your coolant is low.

1. Do not drain the engine block.

Any reason I shouldn't drain the engine block? Was planning to follow the T4R Garage video and he drains it in his video, but it would be so much easier if I didn't need to since I wouldn't need to remove the passenger wheel. Although it looks like the factory service manual says to drain the engine too.

 

[osugsxr]

I am pretty inexperienced with auto maintenance and have only replaced a drive belt and engine filter. I noticed the coolant level looks really low and I need to do a coolant exchange. I have watched several videos on this and it looks like an easy DIY project for people with limited experience, but I have a couple concerns:

1. do I drain the engine block too? Some videos only drain the radiator. In this video he drains the engine block too. However some posts I saw people said not to drain the engine block because you could not burp it correctly and it could easily damage the engine block.
2. Do I need 1 gallon of coolant or two? Some videos tell you that you ONLY need one gallon, and some say you have to have two. I'm guessing the ones that say two include the engine block?

It looks like the parts, tools, and coolant will cost me $115 total, which is cheaper than the dealer's quoted $170 and I can reuse most of that purchase. More importantly, I want to learn how to do some of my own maintenance on my car, but I'm worried about destroying my engine from doing something wrong.

Mine was the same after an recent oil change (filter was stuck) I took to a local shop. This was mentioned in the detail inspection report, its normal and no issues. I did buy some coolant and it basically took less than a cup to bring it above the line. 2017 with 96k miles . No worries but I havent had a coolant flush yet and might eventually do one this year

 

[fkheath]

I have nothing to comment on the coolant exchange but I have been wondering the same about that level. I top mine up to the full line maybe once a year and it eventually ends up at the same spot as yours and never seems to go lower so I have just left it. If anyone has any insight or comments on that I would love to know as well. Short of there being some kind of crack in the overflow that I cant find I can't think of any other reason.

I doubt you have a crack in the tank. More likely:

1. When the coolant gets hot, it expands. The expansion may fill the tank and any overflow will go out the overflow hose.

2. You have a faulty pressure relieve valve cap on the radiator. If it leaks when the car is hot, it won't keep the pressure up and the leak will allow coolant to go to the tank, which then may overflow (#1 above). When the engine cools off, the coolant in the tank will be sucked back into the radiator, leaving the level in the tank low.

 

[rdruss]

Any reason I shouldn't drain the engine block? Was planning to follow the T4R Garage video and he drains it in his video, but it would be so much easier if I didn't need to since I wouldn't need to remove the passenger wheel. Although it looks like the factory service manual says to drain the engine too.

Drain your radiator and empty/refill the overflow tank. Drive your vehicle for a few days and repeat process. I don't know the cooling system capacity of the V6, but say it is two gallons and when you drain the radiator you get less than one gallon out, repeat the drain and fill process three times total, you will then have replaced your complete cooling system with new, about 90% anyway, and not have to mess with draining the block. I always fill/maintain the overflow tank at halfway between low/high, but that's just me.

 

[1000MPH]

I humbly recommend this thread.
Need help draining coolant

 

[Hungryhawk]

You can safely remove the actual radiator cap when engine is cold. The radiator should be full to the very top with coolant.
When your overflow reservoir is as low as pictured your radiator could be seriously low.
The reservoir should always be between the high and low marks on it.
When you replace coolant consider replacing the actual radiator cap as they do wear out.
Does your temperature guage on dash move from cold at engine start to mid-guage after warmed up? If it stops fully moving that is a clue your thermostat is worn out.
Very old coolant can become acidic and cause serious head gasket issues.
I would not risk the non-OEM coolants for sale everywhere, unless in an emergency.

 

[Humble Leader]

Your coolant is low.

1. Do not drain the engine block.

2. 2 gallons to be certain. Use the pink stuff.

Do not agonize over this. It is a very simple job.

yep - I always have my coolant almost up to the full line. never had any issues on either of my toyota/lexus doing so

 

[lawless97]

Very old coolant can become acidic and cause serious head gasket issues.
I would not risk the non-OEM coolants for sale everywhere, unless in an emergency.

Thanks for the advice. I just purchased an OEM (part 16401-31830) from a dealer for $30 shipped. Seems expensive but I didn't want to risk a non OEM part from Rockauto and couldn't find OEM on a site like Amazon. Will replace the cap when I do the flush. I have two gallons of OEM coolant as well.