Draining coolant

I want to replace the coolant in a new to me 1st Gen V6 while I'm replacing the upper radiator hose. Easy enough to just remove the bottom hose to drain the radiator, but searching this forum I see lots of mentions about draining the block as well. Is there a way to do this or if I disconnect the lower hose will it all just drain from the radiator and block?

 

There should be a petcock valve under the radiator to make easy draining without it being a mess pulling the lower hose off.
There is a spot to drain the block but honestly the amount that would come out is so small that I wouldn’t bother with it. I would just flush the system with some distilled water and then use Toyota Red Longlife and dilute it 50/50 with distilled water. The extra water left in the block won’t matter if you just add maybe an extra cup or two of coolant.
Also might as well replace your lower hose too, they’re like $8. For that cheap and easy just do it while you have the coolant drained to avoid having your lower go out in the future after already replacing the upper

Also depending on where you live, in the winter you would want more coolant to keep the water from freezing in the system, and in the summer heat, more water cool a little more efficiently. Not really much to make a difference, I would just go 50/50 and you’d be fine.

 

When you drain your coolant, be sure to open the heater valve to maximum so the water inside the heater core will also drain

 

Thanks. The stuff in there is already red/pink so I'm not going to flush it unless it looks nasty. Just want to drain and replace it so I know its providence.

While I'm here, anyone know offhand which way the upper hose goes? I'm guessing yellow towards engine? There is an after market one there now which is rubbing on the radiator and will soon have a hole in it.

 

How do you do this with a 2002? It's electrical. I turned the key and put it on max hot but nothing else came out. It's academic at this point but it only took two gallons so I'm guessing something didn't drain all the way.

 

Do you the burper kit?

$20 EPAuto Spill Proof Radiator Coolant Filling Funnel Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I40ZQWE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Did you fill the overflow also?

 

5vz has a peacock on the passenger side of the block that you can get to through the fender. Would recommend doing the block as there is an appreciable amount of coolant that will come out. Its about .5-1 gallon. I got almost 2 full gallons out when I drained the coolant for my head gasket. (Not including the overflow)

 

Lol there’s just some left in the block. Don’t worry about it. As long as it was Red before and you’re adding more Toyota red then you’re good. You don’t have to get every last bit out. Just make sure you turn the heat on after you fill it up and let it get up to temp and run for a couple minutes. Then let it cool down and check the radiator to make sure it’s full. Also check to make sure your over flow reservoir is filled as well.

 

I would drain the block as it collects junk in there that will leave though the block drain- mainly scale and grit. It’s very easy to do, you need about 2’ of extensions, a ratchet, and a 12 or 14 mm socket. You can use a catch pan or masons tub to catch it all. Good time to inspect all your other coolant hoses, especially the IACV hoses under your intake.

 

I collected this pic of the location of the block drain plug here on TW a while back. (Very sorry to say I cannot credit the photographer/OP.)

 

What do you think about the power flush kit from Prestone etc. where you install a hose fitting between engine and heater inlet, drain the coolant, then run water thru the hose to flush the system while car running? Vs. the fill/drain 3 or 4 times with water method? The power flush seems faster and most all of the coolant is gone on the first drain, for recycle.