pink coolant and green coolant

[Larry]

I just had a service writer at Toyota of El Cajon (Calif) tell me with a straight face, that the pink color in Toyota coolant in my 03 4Runner is there so that the dealer knows if I've changed my coolant at the 30k service, because the replacement coolant is green. He said that to run the pink coolant too long will cause corrosion problems. And if I wanted to get some pink coolant I could order it in the parts department.

I asked him about the phosphate and silicate levels required in coolant for my 4Runner and he said that Toyota's coolant contained only Toyota anti-freeze and that's why it's important to use only Toyota green coolant.

I'm really happy that such men stand up and act as my guide through the tangled maze of maintenance and want nothing more than to relieve me of my pocket book, for their troubles.

How many of you have gotten this pink to green story?

 

[Boaz]

I just had a service writer at Toyota of El Cajon (Calif) tell me with a straight face, that the pink color in Toyota coolant in my 03 4Runner is there so that the dealer knows if I've changed my coolant at the 30k service, because the replacement coolant is green. He said that to run the pink coolant too long will cause corrosion problems. And if I wanted to get some pink coolant I could order it in the parts department.

I asked him about the phosphate and silicate levels required in coolant for my 4Runner and he said that Toyota's coolant contained only Toyota anti-freeze and that's why it's important to use only Toyota green coolant.

I'm really happy that such men stand up and act as my guide through the tangled maze of maintenance and want nothing more than to relieve me of my pocket book, for their troubles.

How many of you have gotten this pink to green story?

I cant belive that !!! LOL!!! What training do they have to go through to be a Toyota Service tech. Everytime I talk to a service advisor , it seems like they are a 19 year old soroity chick that has no EFFFING clue about maintenance or cars in general.

What a dumb ass!!!!

I had a jeep service advisor tell me that only factory trained jeep techs should change my oil. I said, Why? And she so smuggly replied," because they are the only ones that know how."

I laughed soooo hard in her face!!!
The entire worlds oil changes rest in the fate of Jeep Service techs. Hahhahahaha

 

[kdx2000]

Man, just when you thought you have heard it all.....I say he is full of crap! I have never heard anything like that. The red colored anti freeze is propolene based and the green anti freeze is glycol based. You can't mix the two!

 

[greasefingers]

This I copied from the Web: Genuine Toyota Long Life Antifreeze Coolant, with its distinctive red appearance, provides maximum protection without the use of harmful silicates. This formula is extremely durable and because of its compatibility with non-metallic materials, it helps extend the life of water pump seals.
Genuine Toyota Long Life Antifreeze Coolant is the same high quality red fluid that's found in all new Toyotas. Its unique formulation was developed exclusively to meet the specific requirements of your Toyota engine. Other benefits to using Toyota Long Life Antifreeze Coolant are:

 

[greasefingers]

The deionization process removes many of the ions which are dissolved solids like calcium, sodium, chlorides, sulfur iron, & copper. These can react with metals over long periods of time at temperature, and corrode. Also, DI water It has very low electrical conductivity, so it should help the corrosion process that takes place between dissimular metals. Di water can be purchased in the grocey store.

So stick with the Red stuff, just in case it's different, and use DI water

 

[Sac State]

I just had a service writer at Toyota of El Cajon (Calif) tell me with a straight face, that the pink color in Toyota coolant in my 03 4Runner is there so that the dealer knows if I've changed my coolant at the 30k service, because the replacement coolant is green. He said that to run the pink coolant too long will cause corrosion problems. And if I wanted to get some pink coolant I could order it in the parts department.

I asked him about the phosphate and silicate levels required in coolant for my 4Runner and he said that Toyota's coolant contained only Toyota anti-freeze and that's why it's important to use only Toyota green coolant.

I'm really happy that such men stand up and act as my guide through the tangled maze of maintenance and want nothing more than to relieve me of my pocket book, for their troubles.

How many of you have gotten this pink to green story?

At 30K they replaced my pink antifreeze with pink antifreeze. I know they changed it because the level in the overfill was different. Sounds like, er, smells, like you were fed a vegimite sandwich.

 

[greasefingers]

It takes a real man or service writer in this case, to openly admit that he does not have an answer about pink /green antifreeze. To simply sprout an answer to sound informative is immature. He could have simply stated that he will find the answer to your question. Honesty is so under rated.

 

[Boaz]

Re: Re: pink coolant and green coolant

At 30K they replaced my pink antifreeze with pink antifreeze. I know they changed it because the level in the overfill was different. Sounds like, er, smells, like you were fed a vegimite sandwich.

Why did you change it at 30K? Isnt the red fluid extended life?

 

[Kanab]

Re: Re: Re: pink coolant and green coolant

Why did you change it at 30K? Isnt the red fluid extended life?

Boaz, in 2004 Toyota changed the fluids they were using in the V8 4runners. In 2004 Toyota started using the long life antifreeze in the 4runner that is good for 100K miles of service, same with the transmission fluid. It was changed to the WSATF that is a "lifetime fluid" (that all of us old timers will still change at 60K miles ). The 2003's all used the older fluids that have a different service interval.

 

[Boaz]

Re: Re: Re: Re: pink coolant and green coolant

Boaz, in 2004 Toyota changed the fluids they were using in the V8 4runners. In 2004 Toyota started using the long life antifreeze in the 4runner that is good for 100K miles of service, same with the transmission fluid. It was changed to the WSATF that is a "lifetime fluid" (that all of us old timers will still change at 60K miles ). The 2003's all used the older fluids that have a different service interval.

OK thanks,... I learn several things here everyday!!

 

[Sac State]

Re: Re: Re: pink coolant and green coolant

Why did you change it at 30K? Isnt the red fluid extended life?

I am anal and old school. I change the diffs and transfer case every 15K too. I am an old fart who fishes for Crappie.

 

[Kanab]

Re: Re: Re: Re: pink coolant and green coolant

I am anal and old school. I change the diffs and transfer case every 15K too. I am an old fart who fishes for Crappie.

That crappie is mighty good eatin. I did my diff's at 15K miles but will do my transfercase at 30K based on what others are saying about it being clean even at 30K miles.

 

[Cliff s]

The Red coolant is formulated for use with
aluminum radiators. The Green coolant is
just plain Ethylene Glycol.

I would almost guaranty you would void your
motor warranty if they found the coolant was Green.

All the fast oil change companies use the plain
generic(its cheap) coolant. They also put generic
Dexron in every transmission.

This is what led to the removal of the dip sticks
on the auto-transmissions to keep Jiffy lube from
ruining the transmissions and then the manufacturer
having to rebuild the transmission under warranty.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see sealed cooling
systems for the same reason.

Cliff s

 

[Kanab]

I wouldn't be too surprised to see sealed cooling
systems for the same reason.

Cliff s

I think that is part of the reason Toyota went with the 100K mile coolant in the 2004 model year. Even the extended warranty doesn't go over 100K miles, so at that point if you screw it up and have a problem at 150K miles who will complain???

 

[Larry]

Does anyone know the Toyota factory number in California for service problems. I have asked two dealers here and they give me a number that connects to Toyota finance. One dealer, the one that puts green in everything, told me the factory service number is confidential and only available to dealers. It looks like the tough part of owning a new Toyota is that you have to buy it from a Toyota dealer and then you have to turn over your 4Runner for warranty work and only God knows what that can lead to. The stuff they do scares me. To continue with the pink thread, I was told if I wanted my pink coolant topped off I would have to pay for a whole bottle because there standard practice to convert to green if the level drops. If I really bent over for this kind of treatment I don't think I could afford a Toyota.

 

[dcampen]

To continue with the pink thread, I was told if I wanted my pink coolant topped off I would have to pay for a whole bottle because there standard practice to convert to green if the level drops.

Doesn't the owners manual strongly say to use only the pink coolant? You really need to file a complaint with Toyota against this dealer. What is the name of this dealer?

 

[Kanab]

Does anyone know the Toyota factory number in California for service problems. I have asked two dealers here and they give me a number that connects to Toyota finance. One dealer, the one that puts green in everything, told me the factory service number is confidential and only available to dealers. It looks like the tough part of owning a new Toyota is that you have to buy it from a Toyota dealer and then you have to turn over your 4Runner for warranty work and only God knows what that can lead to. The stuff they do scares me. To continue with the pink thread, I was told if I wanted my pink coolant topped off I would have to pay for a whole bottle because there standard practice to convert to green if the level drops. If I really bent over for this kind of treatment I don't think I could afford a Toyota.

Larry you got to find another dealer. These guys are nuts.

 

[Boaz]

Larry you got to find another dealer. These guys are nuts.

:iagree:

 

[Larry]

The dealer is Toyota of El Cajon. And the service writer said all that stuff about converting from pink to green with a straight face. I think that there are many customers that would listen and believe, I'm not one of them. I find that there are service writers that know very little about their products. A service writer at Carlsbad Toyota (Calif) said when asked about the service for a V8 4Runner that the plugs get changed on the 30k service. Again that's wrong. At Toyota of Escondido I had my sunroof rattle repaired. When I took it back they claimed the could not hear the sound. We went on a drive and it rattled when you drove over the bumps that divide lanes. The service writer said that Toyota could not be expected to fix that since I had to work to provoke the problem. So I tore the sun roof apart and found a screw driver wedged between the track and the body. I removed it and put everything back...no noise. So the correct statement is Toyota can't be expected to fix the rattle caused by abuse and a mechanic's screwdriver that was left behind. It was a very small screwdriver and flew really well when I tossed it over my backyard fence. I am not happy with the quality of people that I might (not) turn my 4Runner over to for warranty. They won't see me for regular service. On my way out I overheard another service writer telling a customer, when asked about re-setting the 'service' light that would look up the charge but though is was only a quarter to a half hour. Yiiiiikes. Some of my information came from shopping around when I need the sunroof repaired. Call a dealer and ask a service writer a pointed question and see what you get. Try something like, 'When you rotate my tires, do I put my 4Runner in Drive or Reverse?'. Or, how 'bout, 'Where is the dipstick on my 05 4Runner?'. Or, maybe, 'How may hours do you charge to change my cabin air filter?'. If you get answers like, 'Foward', 'let me ask a mechanic', and 'just one hour', start driving.

 

[Kanab]

Larry I think you hit the nail on the head. My T4R still smells like my ass and I won't let the dealer touch it too correct the smell, they might screw something up. I do let Toyota do all of the OCI's and rotate the tires (after I mark them) knowing that if I ever have a problem they are the only ones that ever touched it. Plus I will be trading it at around 60-80K miles so its not a forever vehicle. If I was going to keep it forever I would do all of the service myself period.