1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Afraid of changing antifreeze

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 1996_2.4, Apr 14, 2021.

  1. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:19 AM
    #1
    1996_2.4

    1996_2.4 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2021
    Member:
    #361287
    Messages:
    191
    Gender:
    Male
    Forgive the noob question. About the only thing I can do on a car is change oil and sparkplugs. Bought my 96 2.4 Tacoma three years ago and have put 70,000 miles on it and have never changed the radiator coolant. Worried I may crack the plastic radiator when opening the drain bolt, and don't know if I have to "burp" the air out of the block on these cars.
    Should I take it to a mechanic and pay $120 for labor, or pay the kids at Jiffy Lube to do it? It's a big question because I'm broke with medical bills and this car is all I have to get me to work. I'm afraid to leave the worn out coolant in, but afraid I'll make things worse by doing it myself.
    Some advice:
    1- How many one gallon jugs of coolant do I need to flush and refill the entire 2.4 system?
    2 - DO you have to burp air pockets out of this engine?
    3 - Is there a danger of cracking the plastic radiator when opening drain bolt?

    Thanks for your time and help
     
  2. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:29 AM
    #2
    JJ04TACO

    JJ04TACO Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2013
    Member:
    #114311
    Messages:
    1,215
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Dallas
    Vehicle:
    04 White DC/TRD
    Fox 2.5 RR front, 2.0 RR rear from AccuTune Offroad, OME Dakar Leafs, Camburg Uniball UCA's, CBI Offroad Bolt on Sliders w/kickout, Scangauge II Uniden Bearcat 880 w/ 3' Firestick on CBI antenna mount B&M Trans Cooler
    If you are worried you can remove the lower radiator hose. It will be messy...er. As for how much coolant, 2 gallons should be enough. Buy premixed, or pay a bit less and mix your own with distilled water. If you are concerned about getting out as much fluid as possible you can start the truck for a few seconds to see if you can pump some fluid left in the block out and into the radiator for removal. But you'll never get it all. Fill the reservoir and keep checking it to see if it gets low and check the radiator after you drive it and it cools down to see if it's at the top.

    As for burping it, you can if you need to. Feel the top hose to see if it is getting warm.
     
  3. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:31 AM
    #3
    1996_2.4

    1996_2.4 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2021
    Member:
    #361287
    Messages:
    191
    Gender:
    Male
    Thanks. I never thought about just removing the hose. How do you burn to get air out of the system?
     
  4. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:31 AM
    #4
    1996_2.4

    1996_2.4 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2021
    Member:
    #361287
    Messages:
    191
    Gender:
    Male
    I mean burp to get air out of the block?
     
  5. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:34 AM
    #5
    JJ04TACO

    JJ04TACO Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2013
    Member:
    #114311
    Messages:
    1,215
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Dallas
    Vehicle:
    04 White DC/TRD
    Fox 2.5 RR front, 2.0 RR rear from AccuTune Offroad, OME Dakar Leafs, Camburg Uniball UCA's, CBI Offroad Bolt on Sliders w/kickout, Scangauge II Uniden Bearcat 880 w/ 3' Firestick on CBI antenna mount B&M Trans Cooler
    You can squeeze the top hose gently with the radiator cap off to try to force air out of the hose and into the radiator. If you squeeze it too hard and fast you can force fluid out of the top of the radiator. I'd let the engine run for a few minutes while feeling the hose to warm up indicating that you have fluid flowing through it.
     
    1996_2.4[OP] likes this.
  6. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:36 AM
    #6
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2009
    Member:
    #22436
    Messages:
    26,681
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tricky Dick
    Easley, SC
    Vehicle:
    1 owner 2002 TRD, SR5, DC, 2.7. Full OME suspension, STT pro's.
    OME 881 coils with OME nitrochargers shocks up front. TC UCA's OME Dakars with extra leaf in the rear. Warn 8000 winch with 80ft custom braided synth line. Custom 60ft synth extension. All pro tube bumper, Hi-lift jack, Safari Snorkel, Wilco tiregate. 2019 Jeep JLUR.
    I had my entire coolant system flushed by a dealership for I think $200.
     
    1996_2.4[OP] likes this.
  7. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:41 AM
    #7
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2015
    Member:
    #153833
    Messages:
    14,277
    Gender:
    Male
    New Tripoli Pa
    Vehicle:
    2000 Work truck 5 speed 4x4 3.4
    Super Springs
    Get the radiator as high as possible some people will go so far as to jack up the front of the vehicle.

    These engines are not near as bad as the 22r series for air pockets.

    if things are that old maybe time for new hoses as well.
     
    0xDEADBEEF likes this.
  8. Apr 14, 2021 at 9:43 AM
    #8
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2019
    Member:
    #285037
    Messages:
    18,821
    Vehicle:
    2000 reg cab 4x4 flatbed MT
    I just parked mine on a hill, nose up. Worked great.

    At 25 years old, make sure you inspect that radiator really well for cracks and stuff. I'd be tempted to just replace it as a failure can get expensive in a hurry. Hoses too.
     
  9. Apr 14, 2021 at 10:26 AM
    #9
    y=mx+b

    y=mx+b Station Wagon

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2020
    Member:
    #334787
    Messages:
    1,930
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Blacksburg, VA
    Vehicle:
    '05 T4R SR5 v6 4wd
    One of these is really helpful for burping: https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-870...417578&sprefix=no+spill+funnel,aps,272&sr=8-6.

    Clips onto an included rad cap adapter and you can fill the funnel like a reservoir, then burp bubbles up into there. It will be the highest point and all bubbles will get up there. Once burped, insert the plunger into the funnel and remove it from the rad cap adapter. Then remove rad cap adapter and put the regular rad cap on. Bingo: all burped
     
  10. Apr 14, 2021 at 11:15 AM
    #10
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2014
    Member:
    #132748
    Messages:
    11,698
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Northern California, Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    02 3.4 DC TRD PreRunner 4WD SWAP
    https://youtu.be/oQsxmi-CNng
     
    DJB1 and y=mx+b like this.
  11. Apr 14, 2021 at 11:26 AM
    #11
    Samslop

    Samslop Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2021
    Member:
    #359587
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sam
    Vehicle:
    2003 extended cab Tacoma prerunner
    Test it first it might still be good.
     
  12. Apr 14, 2021 at 11:54 AM
    #12
    Xbeaus

    Xbeaus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2015
    Member:
    #166775
    Messages:
    1,487
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Beau
    Black hills South dakota
    Vehicle:
    98 Tacoma 3.4 5 speed SR5 limited TRD 4x4
    Toytec coilovers. Height adjustable Bilstein's. 265/75/16 MT. TRD wheels. Rebuilt r150f. Marlin clutch kit. All kinds of new parts...
    It's pretty easy. I used about 10 gallons of distilled water to flush and rinse it out before putting some pre-mix in there. The trick is - finding a place to properly dispose of the old antifreeze. Shit you not - I called our local garbage dump and the gal on the phone said "you got cats? Just mix all the antifreeze with some of the old litter and throw it away. They'll never notice". lol I found a local oil change place that actually takes it and are the only one in my down that does.
     
  13. Apr 14, 2021 at 11:58 AM
    #13
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2016
    Member:
    #180213
    Messages:
    66,726
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    Wow that's shady lol. Luckily we can take used fluids to the parts stores around here. At least I think we can with coolant...

    I thought you were gonna say that she was telling you to poison your cats with it, was gonna say that's real F'ed up
     
    y=mx+b likes this.
  14. Apr 14, 2021 at 2:38 PM
    #14
    JJ04TACO

    JJ04TACO Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2013
    Member:
    #114311
    Messages:
    1,215
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Dallas
    Vehicle:
    04 White DC/TRD
    Fox 2.5 RR front, 2.0 RR rear from AccuTune Offroad, OME Dakar Leafs, Camburg Uniball UCA's, CBI Offroad Bolt on Sliders w/kickout, Scangauge II Uniden Bearcat 880 w/ 3' Firestick on CBI antenna mount B&M Trans Cooler
    Theres Timmeh to the rescue! I always forget about Timmy.

    Shops around here will usually take it if it’s not crazy amounts. Beats pouring it into the soil like I saw as a kid.
     
  15. Apr 15, 2021 at 1:38 PM
    #15
    L78

    L78 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2020
    Member:
    #350674
    Messages:
    120
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tony
    Nor Cal
    Vehicle:
    1995 Tacoma DLX, 2.7/Manual, 4x4, 1 family ownership
    Mostly stock, added custom wood bed rails and a Sony/Infinity stereo system
    I just did my 95 Tacoma 2.7 a few months ago...

    mid you drain the radiator and block you’ll remove a lot more of the old coolant during each cycle... I drained 3 or 4 times, each time, refilling with ONLY distilled water.

    then after the final drain, I filled with the concentrated coolant ( I can’t believe how much they charge for pre mixed 50/50, ridiculous).

    with some “coolant”. Still the the block after the last flush, I figured that the concentrate was better anyway...

    after a gallon on coolant, I added some distilled water until it was topped off.

    I used that funnel system someone posted above. Worked great to burp the system during each fill...


    It was difficult to find concentrated coolant, all the stores sell 50/50 (more profitable).

    kind of wish I had changed the hoses too, but the are still in nice shape...

    Timmys Videos are great
     
  16. Apr 15, 2021 at 8:35 PM
    #16
    4xdog

    4xdog Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2018
    Member:
    #253074
    Messages:
    960
    Gender:
    Male
    Saint Louis MO
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma DC 4WD TRD, 2015 Tacoma DC 4x4 TRD, 2008 Lexus RX350, 1962 Triumph TR3B
    Be sure you use Toyota red coolant or equivalent.
     
  17. Apr 16, 2021 at 6:33 AM
    #17
    Xbeaus

    Xbeaus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2015
    Member:
    #166775
    Messages:
    1,487
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Beau
    Black hills South dakota
    Vehicle:
    98 Tacoma 3.4 5 speed SR5 limited TRD 4x4
    Toytec coilovers. Height adjustable Bilstein's. 265/75/16 MT. TRD wheels. Rebuilt r150f. Marlin clutch kit. All kinds of new parts...
    That would be bad! I like my kitties dammit! lol
     
    eon_blue[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Apr 16, 2021 at 3:11 PM
    #18
    slodoug

    slodoug Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2020
    Member:
    #335235
    Messages:
    800
    Gender:
    Male
    hijacking this thread, getting ready to change my radiator in June, my hoses look great, should i replace them anyway?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top