Toyota coolant..and converting

I know that you aren't supposed to mix the usual green coolant with the Toyota coolant..don't worry, I didn't!

This came up recently..GM had the Dexcool (AKA Deathcool) and some people were flushing it entirely and converting to the green, due to issues with the Dexcool.

Is it possible to do the same with Toyota's red stuff? And have there been issues with the Toyota stuff that would cause a change to be beneficial?

Discuss.

 

IIRC the Toyota red is fine. The Toyota pink is what's causing problems.

Don't quote me on that though

 

What problems? I haven't heard anything about any tacoma coolant issues

 

I've heard of the pink (giggitty) messing up the water pump, at least on first gens.

 

Either the red or the pink, how would one convert over?

 

Flush system thoroughly and fill with desired coolant

 

I flushed the Toyota red coolant after 3 years on my 09. Moved to Prestone, cheaper, easier to find, and I usually flush the coolant every 2-3 years anyway.

 

Years ago, on an earlier '84 Toyota, I converted from green to red Toyota OEM coolant. Immediately, I had leaks where I didn't have them before. Not severe leaks, but constant, slow, oozing leaks of the red stuff. Nothing dripped to the ground.

At the next coolant change, I went back to good ol' Prestone, and no more leaks.

YMMV

 

Pre 2004 is Toyota long life(red) 2004+ Toyota super long life(pink). You can drain and flush all pink coolant out and fill with what ever you want. However if you overheat your engine or any other cooling related problems you will be on your own for repairs. I have seen where other shops have flushed with the wrong coolant with no issues to the vehicle at the next flush.

 

Is Toyota red (the non premixed stuff) compatible with the pink in 2005+ taco's?

 

if the convert back hadn't fixed the leaks I would have said that maybe you knocked some 'clotting' loose that were stopping oozing leaks with the first flush.

I had people tell me years ago with old trucks "Whatever you do, don't flush the coolent unless it's shit brown, the sediment closes up leaks for you and a flush will cause leaks"

 

Acording to a 2002 tsb it is safe to mix. Personally I would not, if I had to use long life is would flush and fill with long life

 

It is difficult to get all of the red/pink coolant out of the system. There will still be some residual left in the radiator, heater core, and engine. You would have to flush the system well, with the thermostat removed, and pull the heater core lines to flush them independantly.
If you don't get the old stuff out, and convert to green, it will react and turn to a gel. I don't recommend using anything other than the factory coolant. You are risking much for very little reward.