The Correct Way To Drain/Fill the 4.0 Antifreeze

Correct. Tap water has minerals in it that can corrode parts of the cooling system. If you insist on flushing it, you can used distilled water. It's cheap for a few gallons.

 

You are probably right. However, I am changing mine at 60k. Since I bought it used I like knowing what fluid I have in my truck. Thanks for assuring me that this fluid can last to the 100k interval.

 

You should read about electrolysis corrosion.
You are potentially damaging the insides of your cooling system, unless you have added a neutralizing agent.

Here is the moral to the story, "... if the corrosion inhibitors in the coolant are worn out because the coolant has not been changed in years, or there are stray electrical currents that are flowing through the coolant because of missing, loose or corroded engine ground straps, electrolysis can eat away at the heater core, radiator and any other aluminum parts in the system (including the water pump and passageways in aluminum intake manifolds and cylinder heads).
http://www.aa1car.com/library/cooling_system_electrolysis_corrosion.htm

 

For some reason post #124 got me to thinking about a member here who turned 300K recently. Transmission fluid had never been changed.

 

The person that smokes and lives to a hundred is the exception, not the rule.

 

. This got me thinking. It may last 100k mi and many years but you got to check it periodically. I just checked mine and the res is empty . All this long lasting stuff in these trucks has made me complacent. But you have to change the spark plugs at 30K? I did that and they looked like they could go another 30k easily. No more ignoring my truck. Time to get some of that super long life coolant and top it off.

 

Ok so I did my 60,000 mile spark plug change and noticed that my coolant is sitting about a quarter inch above the 'low' line. Is ok to just add coolant or do I need to actually drain and flush and refill with all new coolant?

 

You can either add some distilled water, coolant, do a drain and fill, or nothing.

 

^^^ What he said, except for the nothing part. Check hoses and radiator and under water pump to see if you may have a leak. Keep an eye on the level.

 

Thanks guys

 

Anyone running waterless coolants?

 

So I noticed the passenger side line also drained the reservior tank..is this normal the way the coolant drained? otherwise, the entire process went relatively smooth. I only put in 2 gallons hoping it doesn't need a 1/4 more. Thanks to all who shared their knowledge and experience.

 

I just drain the radiator and refill it once a year with toyota long life

 

This post got me looking for coolant.
Didn't expect to find it on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Genui...=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1475402051&sr=1-2

 

This post got me looking for coolant.
Didn't expect to find it on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Genui...=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1475402051&sr=1-2


Better deal
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162146985676?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

Bookmarked.

 

Okay, definitely an old thread but I just drained all of my coolant out. Used all 3 drains but now I can't get all of the coolant back in. I've put in 2 gallons so far and ran it, let it cool down, ran it and let it cool down and still nothing has changed. Any ideas? I'm assuming air is trapped but what's the easiest way to release it. Ive got a 2012 4.0 liter trd. Also does it matter if you use the toyota brand coolant or not? I used a coolant that works for all vehicles and it has the same specs as what the book said to use

 

Engine was probably not warm enough for the thermostat to open fully. Just keep driving and refilling the reservoir as needed until the coolant level stops dropping. Universal coolant to top off a quart or so should not be a problem. Anymore, you should replace the coolant with same type coolant throughout to avoid gelling. I replaced the OEM coolant at 100K with universal coolant (SuperTech). Did complete flush to get out the OEM stuff. Have done this to all my vehicles. Never had cooling problems with universal coolants. OEM coolant is overrated in my book.

 

Okay thanks, I flushed out as much of the old coolant as I could with distilled water. After the first gallon of coolant I put in I opened the engine drains until I only saw the new coolant come out so I'm assuming I got all the old out, if I'm wrong I won't leave it in long. As for the filling I'll keep checking like you said. This may sound weird but once my engine was at operating temperature I could hear the water almost gurgling from inside the cab. No over heating or anything like that just not sure if that's normal