2TRFE Engine Block Coolant Drain

Hi Folks,

This is my first post but I've been using this site as a great resource of info for the past year since I bought my Taco. Thanks everyone for all the guidance so far.

I've done a bunch of searching but can't seem to find a straight answer on this one. I'm at almost 100k Miles and I want to do a coolant flush.

Can some one please confirm exactly where the coolant drain plug is on the engine? Is it the large bolt right in the middle of this photo? The diagram in the OEM Repair Manual doesn't seem to make sense.

Many thanks in advance for the help!

Cheers,

Z

 

NO that is not the coolant drain on the engine block.

To drain the coolant from the block and radiator like the fsm says, you will need to open the drain on the radiator and the one on the block. The one on the radiator is on the driver's side and is pretty easy to find. The engine block drain is on the passenger side of the engine block just below the exhaust headers. It is a different color than the engine block and is L shaped. Just loosen the bolt on the end of it to let the coolant out. See picture below. Both drains have a spout for you to attach a piece of tubing to so that you can direct the coolant into a jug or bucket.

 

Thanks a ton for that photo. Just what I was looking for. I did not notice anything like that on the motor yesterday but will check again tomorrow. Seems pretty obvious. Dunno how I missed that!
Thanks again!

 

No problem. It took a little while for me to find it too. The fsm makes it look like the drain is on the driver's side. It wasn't until I read something about it's location on a first gen that I began looking on the passenger's side of the engine. BTW, in the above picture just to the left of the drain is a large bolt head. If I remember correctly that is part of the oil filter mounting assembly. In other words the oil filter is slightly below and to the rear of the truck from the coolant drain.

 

Finally got around to doing the coolant flush. Drain, refill, no problem.

I'm a bit concerned however because when I run the truck for 10 - 15 mins, the upper rad hose gets quite hot and the lower hose is cold. I read a thread on here where someone had the same issue but I can't remember what the solution was. I remember he went after the thermostat but I'm not sure if that was it. Where is the thermostat incidentally?

Anyone have any thoughts?

Many thanks in advance for your expertise! This is an awesome resource!!

Cheers,

Z

 

X2 I have the same problem. From what I have read in my Haynes Manual this would seem to indicate that the thermostat is stuck closed and not allowing coolant to circulate. However, I would like some confirmation before I start pulling parts off the motor. Any advice you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Don't worry about it. One of the mechanics at the stealership told me that's just the way it is. A very efficient radiator I guess. My thermostat was just fine. I topped up the coolant once after the initial fill and the truck has run perfectly for the last 10,000 miles.

 

Thanks for the reply. I could smell coolant so I went ahead and changed the thermostat since it is such a cheap fix. $14 thermostat, a $4 gasket and a little coolant later my truck is just like new. Gotta love the four banger for being so damn easy to work on!