coolant question/rad flush - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Manny1337 · 03-18-2009, 05:47 PM

Okay well today i was picking around my engine and looked inside the res. for the coolant and there was some kind of green mold growing on the sides/ rad cap and inside the hose to the res. i cleaned all that and now im wondering should i flush my coolant? i know where the drain plug is, its simple to drain but i was wondering about refill. how do i get the air pockets out how much coolant do i need to fill it back up?

Mike Gerber · 03-19-2009, 11:22 AM

The entire cooling system holds 6.7 quarts of coolant. Drain the coolant from the radiator. Then refill the radiator and overflow tank using a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. Distilled water is recommended, but I have never seen a professional tech use distilled water, so that part is up to you. Now to bleed the system, you need to have the front of the car slightly inclined. The slope of a typical driveway is enough. Start the car with the radiator cap off and the heat selector on hot. Let the car idle this way for 45 minutes to an hour refilling the coolant level as it drops a bit. Don't be surprised if a little of the coolant comes over the top of the neck, along with the air bubbles. This is normal. After 45 minutes to an hour, shut the engine and put the cap back on. I like to run some hot water over the cap area to clean things up a bit once the engine cools down, but that's just me. Drive the car a couple of days and then check the coolant level in the overflow. You will most likely have to add a bit more coolant, as more air continues to work itself out of the system.

Mike

Manny1337 · 03-19-2009, 01:34 PM

heat selector you mean to run the heat in the car on high correct? and is there any certian type of coolant i should stay away from? is prestone a good brand?

toyotaholic · 03-19-2009, 02:52 PM

prestone is a good brand and be sure to pick up a bottle of their radiator cleaner.

937309.romero · 03-19-2009, 03:05 PM

Best coolant to use is the Red Toyota Long Life Coolant from a toyota dealer. normally fo cars one gallon is more than enough. make sure you dont get the premixed Super Long Life. Also this coolant will be good for a bout 90k miles. Part Number is : 00272-1LLAC-01
or you can use the prediluted Super Long Life Coolant : 00272-SLLC2
the regular long life runs about $20.00USD and the Super Long Life Runs about $32.00.
That is what we use here at the dealership and really no reason not to stick with this if you average the replacement cycle of coolant (every 30k miles or 2 years) versus the life cycle of the Long life (90k miles) or the Super long life (120K) i believe it is well worth it. Just Throwing it out there.

Manny1337 · 03-19-2009, 04:53 PM

can i just go to the dealer ship and tell them i need antifreeze for my camry and they will give me the toyota long life correct?

937309.romero · 03-19-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manny1337

can i just go to the dealer ship and tell them i need antifreeze for my camry and they will give me the toyota long life correct?

Yes, i can't remember exactly what year Toyota Officially switched over from other coolant to Long Life red coolant. So yes if you go to a Toyota dealership they should provide you with appropriate type. Hope this helps.

Manny1337 · 03-19-2009, 05:08 PM

yes thank you very much

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Mike Gerber · 03-19-2009, 05:10 PM

"heat selector you mean to run the heat in the car on high correct?"

Correct. The hottest temperature setting, not the highest fan speed.

Mike

Manny1337 · 03-19-2009, 09:38 PM

so i shouldnt run the fan on the highest setting? and also is there anything bad with using soemthing like prestone or is there a real difference between toyotas stuff and that

Hajoca · 03-19-2009, 10:57 PM

I do not think that I ever had my engines idling for that long (45 min )... just long enough for the thermostat to open and the cooling fan to cycle 3 or 4 times.

I also try working on cooling system when weather is warm.

Manny1337 · 03-20-2009, 12:07 AM

anyone have anything bad to say about using prestone instead of toyota oem?

Dave's · 03-20-2009, 02:52 AM

The only thing I would say is make sure you're using the correct formulation for your system. (Last I knew Prestone makes more than one.) Also, it may not matter but I don't like to mix types. If for instance, you have Toyota red and you are switching to Prestone, I would drain and fill with water more than once while running the engine a bit in between until no trace of the old stuff is there. Then drain and fill with the new type. Think Prestone claims their most common mix is compatible with any color coolant so I'm probably being too picky.

Hajoca · 03-20-2009, 10:35 AM

Toyota coolants are HOAT type, low phosphate and silicate free.

Prestone should have application chart has a list of what prestone 'model' to use.

Manny1337 · 03-20-2009, 03:41 PM

says any model any year on the bottle =P