Read my post here.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...n-2002-2006-2007-2011/1387617-red-pink-antifreeze-2003-camry-se-2-4-engine.html

Amazon and Toyota can keep their antifreeze. $25 for 1/2 a bottle of water and 1/2 a bottle of coolant :rofl:

 

Very specific requirements - Deionized water

Do not do a 50/50 mix with any full strength coolant. Look in your owners manual or go anywhere on the net ..... the spec for coolant is for Toyota super long life coolant OR similar high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non amine, non-nitrate, and non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.. It is a 50,50 mix with deionized water which is more pure than distilled water.*

If you're going to do a full coolant exchange on your V6 2GR-FE engine, here's how it's done.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...28482-diy-coolant-change-part-locations-comments-oh-thermostat-replacement.html

Toyota Genuine Fluid 00272-SLLC2 Long Life Coolant is $24.69 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Genuine-Fluid-00272-SLLC2-Coolant/dp/B004SL8568

Other brands that meet the standard include:

Aisin 50/50 Pre-Diluted SUPER LONG LIFE Pink Antifreeze/Coolant (AIS-002) $22,94 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Aisin-ACT002...0TLC0JPE/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1476027453&sr=8-11&keywords=toyota+anti+freeze

and

Zerex 675130 Asian Vehicle Anitfreeze / Coolant ($14.06 per gallon on amazon.)

https://www.amazon.com/Zerex-675130-Vehicle-Anitfreeze-Coolant/dp/B0033QO022

*Deionized water is deeply demineralized, ultrapure water with the resistivity close to 18 megohm-cm. It is used in microelectronics, printed circuit boards, instrument manufacture, pharmacy, washing liquids, etc.
In order to obtain the high quality pure deionized water, a multi-stage water purification process can be used. After pre-cleaning, the water is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane, and then the water is filtered through a special deionization medium, which removes the rest of the ions in the water. The purity of deionized water can exceed the purity of distilled water.

http://www.waterandmorehub.com/deionized-water-vs-distilled-water/

 

I've seen no difference in the performance of an antifreeze when comparing distilled or deionized water. I've used both and typically will run my own homemade double distilled water. The quality of either purchased varies plenty and is a mute point since the quality of either is usually not stated. I just don't use or recommend tap or city water.

So, feel free to do a 50:50 mix with your full strength EG when mixing your antifreeze/coolant.

Some of these are available full strength and others are already 50:50. When draining the block/radiator/bottle, any should give you 5 years of usage, which is considerable better than Toyota's 2yr Red and equivalent to the overpriced 5yr Pink.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...other-products/antifreeze/passenger-car-and-light-truck-antifreeze-and-coolant/
http://www.pentosin.net/f_antifreeze.asp
http://beckfluids.com/products/antifreeze-coolant/extended-life-pink/
http://aisinaftermarket.com/uploads/4jetto45_AISIN_ANTIFREEZE_COOLANT_FEATURES_AND_BENEFITS_.pdf
http://prestone.com/corguard_inhibitor_technology?select_region=1
http://www.valvoline.com/our-products/antifreeze-products/maxlife-antifreeze-coolant
http://www.recochem.com/products/oe...emium_coolants/oem_premium_extended_life_50_50_premix_antifreeze_coolant_toyota
http://www.peakauto.com/products/antifreeze-coolants/automotive/global-lifetime-full-strength/
http://www.valvoline.com/our-products/antifreeze-products/zerex-asian-vehicle-antifreeze-coolant
http://www.peakauto.com/products/antifreeze-coolants/automotive/global-lifetime-50-50/

 

I've seen no difference in the performance of an antifreeze when comparing distilled or deionized water. I've used both and typically will run my own homemade double distilled water. The quality of either purchased varies plenty and is a mute point since the quality of either is usually not stated. I just don't use or recommend tap or city water.

So, feel free to do a 50:50 mix with your full strength EG when mixing your antifreeze/coolant.

Some of these are available full strength and others are already 50:50. When draining the block/radiator/bottle, any should give you 5 years of usage, which is considerable better than Toyota's 2yr Red and equivalent to the overpriced 5yr Pink.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...other-products/antifreeze/passenger-car-and-light-truck-antifreeze-and-coolant/
http://www.pentosin.net/f_antifreeze.asp

Thanks for posting the links.

That Pentosin Pentafrost A4 is available at several local parts stores, including Autozone and Advance. With discounts it's not that expensive.

Thanks!

 

If a system (2006 Avalon Limited) is flushed, is the "universal" bright green coolant acceptable?

 

First, do NOT flush the cooling system of an aluminum block engine - even with distilled water (unless you are going to flush it with coolant - which is not cost effective obviously). There are two reasons for this ...... even when the proper procedure is followed for draining both the radiator and the block, you leave about 10-15% of the flush agent (distilled or tap water) which then contaminates the new coolant. This is why even the cheap $8-$9 gallon Prestone and House Brands sold at Walmart brands come "pre-mixed."

If you have already done the "flush" with tap water .... I don't know what to tell you.

I am not certain what brand of "universal" green coolant you are talking about but if it does not specifically say it meets the Toyota spec (look at the pictures of the ones I noted above, they are very clearly labeled), then you are putting the life of your engine at risk by doing a "crap shoot."

 

I haven't touched the cooling system. I bought the car last spring and am making plans to winterize it. Here's the antifreeze I'm referring to. I'll check w/ Prestone's website or give them a call to see what they have to say about it: http://prestone.com/prestone_concentrate_antifreeze/coolant

 

I looked at the website thoroughly and they claim it works in "Asian" cars but they do not say it meets the specifications of the manufacturers. Note: should you ...... whether you go with the yellow bottle or PRIME (note the Prime says it is designed for aluminum engines and may cost more). If you end up going with the Prestone brand, whatever you do, make certain you use the pre-diluted and NOT the concentrate + distilled water.

http://prestone.com/products/antifreeze_coolant/product_list

Despite the fact they say it "won't void the warranty" the claim is meaningless since most people don't change coolant until after the warranty is expired.... AND if it did cause damage ...... it would take two or three years for the damage to occur.

Since you can get the Zerex Asian that clearly meets the EXACT Toyota specs, I'd spend the extra few more dollars a gallon and use that.

 

Most systems dont need flushing. Nonsilicated coolant doesn't crud up.

Drain the block, the radiator, and the recovery overflow bottle, and a refill is all that is needed.
Color of coolant means little. I dont recommend silcated green coolants. But, I do recommend green hoat or oat coolants.

If you flush with water, you can fill with full strength antifreeze to get the proper 50:50 ratio. This is why I dont buy the premix. Usually need a quart or 2 of full strength prior to mixing in thd rest of 50:50 after a flush to make up for residual water.

I already gave a great list of antifreeze/coolant links. That or OE are your choices. Want to use anything else is your choice.

Most 5+ year old used cars are past the warranty.. so the sky is falling scare fearing bogus warranty concerns are not an issue.

The 2006 Avalon is probably due for a waterpump inspection, new thermostat and radiator cap, along with a new belt.

Neo, drain and refill and dont make it more complex than it needs to be.

 

Update - Comments from "the" expert !!!!!!!!!

I asked hartopte72 to review what I posted above. He is a toyotanation moderator,"supreme expert" in the Gen5 & Gen6 Camry forum, and author of the extensive sticky called "Official 5th and 6th Gen Maintenance Thread. All you ever wanted to Know!!!!" in the Camry forum.

Although I stand by my advice, apparently I may be bit too "anal retentive." (Heck, I won't even use anything but Toyota brand coolant in my own 2GR-FE V6 Camry.) Here are his comments that would provide more flexibility with respect to the use of distilled water and the use of concentrated coolant relative to doing a complete drain and refill of radiator and block (no flush) on the 2GR-FE V6 where the coolant capacity is about 9,5 quarts ... but something around a quart might be left in the system:

I disagree that you MUST use deionized water in the system. Specifically, Toyota says when using a concentrated coolant (Toyota Long Life Red), you can use either demineralized or distilled water. Personally I have used distilled water in all of my vehicles as they all use aftermarket P-HOAT concentrated coolants (Reochem OEM Premium). Additionally, I have no indication that Toyota specifically uses demineralized or deionized water in their coolant. This is not to say that demineralized water isn't better, I just haven't personally researched it or used it. It's also possible Toyota does use demineralized or deionized water.

Although not specifically mentioned, even if doing a drain and fill, I still like to use concentrated coolants (Reochem, Pentofrost, Toyota LLC) over premixed coolants (Zerex Asian, Toyota SLLC, etc.) because they effectively cost less and allow more flexibility and later use. Reochem is $22 a gallon and with $1 worth of distilled water will make 2 gallons of premix for $23, Pentofrost does the same at $28, and Toyota LLC does it at $33 - 34. Zerex is now around $15 - 16 a gallon and Toyota SLLC ranges from $18 - $23 a gallon. On a Camry you need 2 gallons minimum and sometimes 3 to be sure. They also allow much more flexibility...

I have observed no difference in quality between the OEM and aftermarket P-HOAT coolants and am convinced they are either all the same coolant or made to the same standards under contract. OEM fluid loyalty or specific brand loyalty aren't required. All of the coolant options I listed in the Maintenance Stickies of the Camry, Corolla, and Sequoia sections will work well regardless of color (i.e. Nissan Green P-HOAT or Honda Blue P-HOAT) or premixed status.

 

Toyota lists a CAS number for the water they use in both the red and pink:
https://www.spectrumchemical.com/chemicals/7732--18--5

Whether its distilled, demineralized, deionized, purified, is not relevant, is for you to decide on, and price at the local pharmacy. To me, that CAS means they aren't using 'city tap' or 'well' water.

I've never had a problem with "all makes all models" antifreeze/coolant. I am selective and avoid generics. And, I research the brand to see what chemicals are being used to make sure that I am not adding something I don't want, like silicates.

 

Man... this forum brings out the nuts.













Thankfully I am one too.