Coolant alternatives

[coopns]

02 Camry. I have the red (is it 5 year or 100k?). I drained the coolant over the summer twice and mixed with 50/50 (distilled water). I checked it the other day and it was low on the reserve tank. I don't see any drops/spills in the driveway. Could it be leaking out of the cap?

And, do I have to buy the coolant at the dealer or is there an alternative at AutoZone/Napa?

Thanks.

[deadrx7conv]

I use Zerex Asian from Napa. The only problem is that it is only available as 50:50.
Another option is the Peak Global, which is available in full and premixed.

10 years is a good life for the radiator cap. Pick one up at the dealer. If you haven't replaced the thermostat, I'd recommend a dealer thermostat too.

But, the most common source of coolant leaks that I've seen is at the water pump. Inspect it.

If you're just topping off the recovery bottle, simply toss in a bottle of waterwetter, koolit, royalpurpleice, coolantboost, 40below, or other equivalent "improve your cooling" additive.

After any coolant service, it could take multiple heat cycles to burp the system thoroughly. And, antifreeze does evaporate. But, if its a 2.4L, I hope that you haven't stripped your head bolts.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/br...antifreeze/105
http://peakauto.com/antifreeze-peak-...lifetime.shtml

Was this your first service?

[coopns]

I have only had the rig for 2 years, 16K. It was flushed at 70ish. Then I drained and refilled twice this summer. It is a 2.4. I don't know where the pump is. I am not afraid to look though.

Should I replace the pump/belt? I don't drive it hard, only 12k or so a year.

That is ok if the Zerex Asian is 50/50 isn't it? Do your forsee any problems with using it 50/50? Can I mix the Zerex Asian with what is already in there?

Sorry...is it hard to replace the thermostat? Again, I am not shy to try.

Thanks for the advice.

[deadrx7conv]

Thermostat is easy to replace. On my 2.4l, took me no more than 5 minutes. Change it on an ice cold engine. And, be quick with swapping old out/new in so that you don't lose much antifreeze.

You can mix the antifreeze. 50:50 means don't ever add too much water. If you bought full strength, you could run anywhere from 40:60 to 60:40 adjusting for your location, and those emergency water only top offs. I tend to get my neighbors to run a little rich on the antifreeze so that they can add water for the top offs and over time get down to 50:50.

Pump videos here:
2AZ-FE Water Pump Replacement
http://highlanderclub.ru/files/manua...0e/x040001.pdf
http://highlanderclub.ru/files/manua...0e/x040001.pdf

If you're losing gallons of antifreeze, replace the failed parts. If it is only a few ounces a month, top off as needed. I use "Subaru coolant conditioner pn SOA635071 " in all my vehicles at every service. Toss a bottle into your radiator and worry less.

[Donald E. George]

Good advice deadrx. I use the Zerex Asian Car Coolant in my 04 Camry and the system looks as godd as when it was new. The Zerex product is very close to what Toyota uses and I wouldn't be surprised if Ashland didn't make if for Toyota Corp. Regards

[coopns]

Is there a direct link to those PDF's? I would like to see more of those but can't find it even after I shorten the url.

Thanks again for the help.


http://highlanderclub.ru/files/manua...0e/x040001.pdf
http://highlanderclub.ru/files/manua...0e/x040001.pdf

[leakyseals]

Originally Posted by coopns

02 Camry. I have the red (is it 5 year or 100k?). I drained the coolant over the summer twice and mixed with 50/50 (distilled water). I checked it the other day and it was low on the reserve tank. I don't see any drops/spills in the driveway. Could it be leaking out of the cap?

And, do I have to buy the coolant at the dealer or is there an alternative at AutoZone/Napa?

Thanks.

02 I4 XLE 181k - I get that too. IMO think its the large under-filled overflow tank causing evaporation. The coolant comes in contact with a large air cavity which is not sealed. As the hot coolant enters the cold tank, condensation, evaporation out the exhaust valve.

Why I think this - At first I was scared it was a HG, a UOA confirmed this was not the case. Decided to ignore the full lines on the tank and went to 90% full, eliminating most of the air from the tank. Has not moved in over a year. Have a 00 Corolla with a huge tank and a fill line near top of tank. That one doesn't experience a drop, which confirms its not a red coolant issue. a coolant test after a year showed less water, more coolant.

From what I've read the red coolant or pink should be used only for the best long term results. Main reasons are corrosion related to the aluminum engine and radiator which can cause problems with sensors, etc. Is that true? Don't want to find out. I do know mixing red with green is a very bad thing. Gels into an orange goo. Other than the inconvenience of traveling to the dealer, its not that expensive once the red concentrate is mixed 50/50.

Book says change at 60k (i think). I just purge a gallon from the radiator every other year, its so easy and cheap, why not. So far water pump, hoses, thermostat, everything original. I probably jinxed myself sayin that.