Engine coolant and transmission fluid replacements

[Damage82]

I plan on replacing both the engine coolant and transmission fluid in my wife's 2003 echo soon. She has 418000kms on it now, neither has been done (yikes). For the coolant can I just grab a jug of pre-mixed prestone coolant and how much do I need?

For the transmission, I figured a flush at this point would be bad, so should I just drain it and replace the fluid or should I look into a new gasket and filter as well.

Thanks in Advance!

[kanekane]

418 000 km really ? most be 41800 km... Anyway, we have the same job to epform on my father 04 Echo, OEM coolant after 49k km.... and 8 years

We bough 5L of pink Toyota coolant and I'm wondering where the thermostat/engine drain plug is, rpefer to drain at both place (radiator/engine block and flush using garden hose via the radiator refill cap

will also put the heater to max heat and lets the cold engine run with the garden hose.

Anyone please ?

[Damage82]

She now has 446,000kms. Yep

[ericlp]

http://www.michaelchow.com/techinfo..../cool/repl.pdf

here ya go...

[ECHOKnight2000]

I need to get mine flushed and replaced soon. I was told every 90k. Obviously it varies. From what I'm told its strongly suggested you use Genuine Toyota coolant cause its made for that. Its kinda pricey. I was going to go through a shop and it will run you 130 bucks. Kinda pricey. But that what it is.

[ericlp]

Originally Posted by ECHOKnight2000

I need to get mine flushed and replaced soon. I was told every 90k. Obviously it varies. From what I'm told its strongly suggested you use Genuine Toyota coolant cause its made for that. Its kinda pricey. I was going to go through a shop and it will run you 130 bucks. Kinda pricey. But that what it is.

I'm not buying that. I would think any reputable radiator fluid would work fine. They all have lubrication for the water pump. Tho getting it flushed out and maybe having a shop use a compressor to blow out the gunk from the radiator and condenser fins (if you got AC) might be a good thing!



Anyone know how to properly flush and clean the fins? Maybe a pressure washer?

[denman]

Assuming it's an automatic (with all that mention of screen and gasket)), I've heard cases where a flush in a high-mileage-since-change like yours actually CAUSED problems. If it's running OK as is, I'd skip the flush, just change the fluid and gasket/screen (usually come in a kit) and keep your fingers crossed. It's not unheard-of for a car to go to the boneyard with its OEM fill of ATF.