Coolant replacement

[importcar]

3 questions...

1) Is it ok to use Super Long Life Coolant (pink)?
2) How do you bleed air out of the system after refilling?
3) Wherer is the DIY sticky for drain and refill cooling system?

[ASG14]

1: Depends WHAT you have in there now. What is the current color?

2: You don't, it;s pretty much self bleeding. Just run it with the fradiator cap off and level ground.

3: Don't need a DIY. There is a drain **** on the bottom of the radiator, and another on the block. Just let the coolant drain from both. If you really want to clean the system, I'd drain it, then fill it with Distilled water (STORE bought), run it for 50 miles, then drain again.

[importcar]

1. red
2. The manual says to install the cap, then bleed the system. But if the cap is installed, how does the air escape?
3. I can't locate the block drain plug from above. Is it only accessible from underneath? Are you sure it's ok to refill with only water even if it's just 50 miles?

[ASG14]

1: I think the red and pink are fine if a little moxes. Someone else please chime in on that.

2: Well, I leave it off, and run for a couple minutes, and add coolant/water as the air comes out. then put the cap on, drive it, and fill up whatever rest of the air escapes. The air simple escapes throught he overflow tank.

3: I forgot if the 5SFE has the drain plug on the front or the back of the block. On the V6, it;s behind the exhaust header. If no one else responds, I'll take a look at my dad's car tomorrow and let you know. I went the last 2 summers running water (distilled), with ONLY an antirust/lubricant. For 50 miles, or even a lot more, there is no worries. Only thing is to make sure the temps are not below freezing as it;s only water.

[Stillrunning]

Save yourself all the hassle and just take it to a shop where for about $60-$70 they will drain, flush and refill using their machine. After that just drain the rad once per year and add fresh pre-mixed coolant. I just use the 5 year Walmart green anti-freeze. I don't trust the long lifes because you need to maintain the correct Ph in the system to prevent corrosion. By replacing the coolant drained from the rad once per year you will maintain the system much better and a lot easier.

[JustinC25]

Originally Posted by ASG14

1: I think the red and pink are fine if a little moxes. Someone else please chime in on that.

2: Well, I leave it off, and run for a couple minutes, and add coolant/water as the air comes out. then put the cap on, drive it, and fill up whatever rest of the air escapes. The air simple escapes throught he overflow tank.

3: I forgot if the 5SFE has the drain plug on the front or the back of the block. On the V6, it;s behind the exhaust header. If no one else responds, I'll take a look at my dad's car tomorrow and let you know. I went the last 2 summers running water (distilled), with ONLY an antirust/lubricant. For 50 miles, or even a lot more, there is no worries. Only thing is to make sure the temps are not below freezing as it;s only water.

1. It's ok if a little mixes, but I would flush out the system if you are going to use pink, as they have different formula's. As A general rule I tend to avoid the pink, as I've seen it destroy several aluminum radiators first hand. (Ex. the SSC on the Sienna). Something about it turns acidic and it eats the aluminum. Just refill with red and be happy. But that's just my take on it. Use what ever you like.

2. Normally just let it idle with the radiator cap off. Some times on the gen 4 4 cyl it is necessary to press down and massage the upper hose, as in its state of rest it is the highest point in the cooling system.

3. The block drain on the 5S-FE is on the back side of the block, on the 1MZ-FE there are 2 block drains, one below the oil filter in the front, and one in the rear below the manifold.

[muminiasty]

Just wanted to make sure you can't mix the coolants with different colors correct??

[ASG14]

^ Green and red can NOT be mixed. As well, Green should not be used on Toyota's if possible. That's why I flush the system myself, because any shop you take it to will not use toyota coolant.