Engine Drain Plugs

[edbro]

Where are the engine coolant drain plugs. I see the one on the radiator and one just to the right of the oil filter when looking from the front. I have a diagram that shows another one on the right side of the engine (when looking from the front). I can't find that one. From the diagram I have, it appears it should be somewhere around the starter. Anybody knows exactly where it is. I don't want to start disassembling if I can't find it.

Thanks.

[toyomoho]

The Camry (with V6 option) and Avalon have the same engines. Might post your question there.

[edbro9]

Thanks. I already changed the coolant. I never did find the third plug but using the other 2 I was able to get almost 2 full gallons out. Total capacity should be 9 liters so I figured that was pretty good enough.

[hughesar]

Originally Posted by edbro9

Thanks. I already changed the coolant. I never did find the third plug but using the other 2 I was able to get almost 2 full gallons out. Total capacity should be 9 liters so I figured that was pretty good enough.

I too would like to drain and refill the coolant on my 2003 Avalon. Can you please provide your procedure? What brand coolant did you use? What about purging any air in the system? Thanks.

[edbro9]

Go to Home Depot and get about 4 feet of 5/16 in inner diameter hose. Cut the hose and place over the 2 (3?) drain plugs. One plug is on the radiator, another is on the block, just to the right of the oil filter when looking at engine from front. Put the other end of the hoses in empty plastic jugs. The plug on the radiator is a plastic wing nut that can be opened with your fingers. The other requires a 10mm wrench. Take radiator cap off and open the 2 plugs. Let it drain for at least a half hour to get as much out as possible.

Remove the cap from the overflow reservoir. Pull the reservoir up and off and empty it.

Of course, I should have said at the beginning to do all this with a cool engine!

Refill from the radiator cap. Fill the overflow reservoir halfway to the hot line. Run engine until it is hot, monitoring the temp gauge and the reservoir level. With the engine hot, add enough coolant to the reservoir to get it to the hot line.

I was going to use the Toyota Super Long Life Premixed but the stealership wanted $24 a gallon. For premixed!!! I used Prestone Extended Life (also premixed to a 50/50 ratio).

I also used this opportunity to change both radiator hoses. They looked in good shape but they were the originals on a car that's almost 10 years old.

[hughesar]

Thanks for the qucik response. As for the Prestone long life coolant, is it fully compatible with the seals and such inthe Toytota's? How long did it take to get all the air out of the system and did you exscape the air through the radiator cap?

[edbro]

There are no air bleed valves as far as I know. You can stuff a funnel into the radiator opening and then squeeze the rad hose until no air bubbles come out. The funnel will prevent fluid from spilling out.

In my experience, no air was in the system.

[hughesar]

Originally Posted by edbro

There are no air bleed valves as far as I know. You can stuff a funnel into the radiator opening and then squeeze the rad hose until no air bubbles come out. The funnel will prevent fluid from spilling out.

In my experience, no air was in the system.

I like the funnel idea for squeezing out air and elimination of spillage. I have a contact at the Toyota parts counter that can give me the Toyota coolant at cost.