Replacing coolant at 60,000 mi.

[moretoys4me]

Would like to replace my radiator coolant at 60,000 mile on my 05 V-6 SR5 runr. Heard the best method was to drain radiator, add distilled water, run engine till warm, drain again, then add 50/50 mix until full. Will this method drain the engine block and also I've been told that thermostat should be removed after first drain then flush system? Not sure if this is required. Is 60,000 miles also reasonable? Using Toyota red Long Life coolant.. Thanks in advance for your response....

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I used to drive a leased '05 SR5 V6 4Runner, and was under the assumption that the factory-filled coolant (red in color) was good for 100,000 miles. You are supposed to replace the spark plugs every 30k, however.
:biggrin2:

 

[jharris2]

I used to drive a leased '05 SR5 V6 4Runner, and was under the assumption that the factory-filled coolant (red in color) was good for 100,000 miles. You are supposed to replace the spark plugs every 30k, however.
:biggrin2:

I believe the extra long life coolant is pink and that red is the normal stuff.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I think you're a little early but that never hurt anything. Your methodology sounds good. The caution I would offer is that after you 'flush' with distilled water there will be some of that water left in the engine. How much? I don't know, a quart or two, maybe. I point this out 'cause when you're all done you want to have the concentration correct. When you fill it for the final time you'll probably need to fill it with 75/25 or 65/35 to get a perfect 50/50 in the end.

As far as the t-stat goes I would worry about it this time. Next time at 120k-150k I'd replace it.

The other note would be to do all this with the heat on hi. I don't know about the T4R specifically but in many cars the heater core gets closed off when the temp control is set to low. This makes room for an air bubble or trapped old fluid.
:cheers:

 

[greasefingers]

Yea the 2005 4runner should have the 100,000 mile stuff in it.

The photo below is the stuff that needs to be changed every 30,000 miles. Maybe there is a sticker under the hood that ID's the newer coolant?

I drain and replace mine twice over a two week period.

 

[96dcmss]

The 05 4runner has SLLC(super long life coolant) in it. It is pink, and should have a label under the hood. The bottle has a yellow cap instead of the red cap pictured above. It won't hurt to replace it now, but make sure NOT to add water. The SLLC is already premixed, so make sure you buy at least 2 gallons to do the flush, since you won't be adding any water to it.