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

Topped off coolant with non-OEM...Drain immediately?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by jlleiber, Mar 27, 2013.

  1. Mar 27, 2013 at 10:03 AM
    #1
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    So today I was bored at work (like most days) and found myself browsing DIY maintenance and reading a lot about coolant. I never knew it was so particular to have only Toyota OEM coolant (newb, i know). However, the last 2 oil changes I got were done at a Quick Lube place and each time they said my coolant was a little low and asked if I wanted it topped off. Not knowing any better, I said sure because I though coolant was pretty much universal.

    Now, having read all the coolant threads, I am really worried about having a non-OEM type coolant mixed in with my original Taco juice. Should I immediately drain/flush my coolant and refill with stuff from the dealership?

    I am coming up on my 90k service and will be doing it all myself (thanks to the wealth of info on here) and will continue to do maintenance myself from now on. All-in-all, my final question is: can I wait until my 90k service (about 2k more miles) or should I drain/flush my coolant ASAP?

    thanks in advance
     
  2. Mar 27, 2013 at 10:28 AM
    #2
    Mossy

    Mossy Mechanic for Honda

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Member:
    #94122
    Messages:
    580
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    billy
    san antonio, TX
    ProComp lift Borla exhaust Borla air filter Nfab bars
    You really shouldn't mix coolant types. Chemical reactions between the 2 can cause a pudding like sludge
     
  3. Mar 27, 2013 at 10:29 AM
    #3
    EDJY

    EDJY Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2011
    Member:
    #52459
    Messages:
    437
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Elliott
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 DCSB TRD OR MT
    you should just be adding a little water if its low
     
  4. Mar 27, 2013 at 10:42 AM
    #4
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    This is what i'm afraid of. I'm assuming it isn't something that happens quickly though, or is it? Would it be OK to wait 2k miles or just take care of it now?
     
  5. Mar 27, 2013 at 1:06 PM
    #5
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    bump for other thoughts?
     
  6. Mar 27, 2013 at 1:10 PM
    #6
    TrdSurgie

    TrdSurgie revised

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Member:
    #73132
    Messages:
    4,167
    Gender:
    Male
    Oahu
    Just flush and drain. Youre only 2k early.
     
  7. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:04 PM
    #7
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    Yeah that's what I should do. Next question - the manual says my coolant system holds 10qts. Can I do 1 gallon of pure (red) coolant and top it off with distilled water? That would be a 40/60 mix and not quite 50/50. I just don't really care to pay an additional $30+ for an entire gallon of coolant when I only need 1 more quart.
     
  8. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:07 PM
    #8
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    nvm this^^ is dumb. I'll buy one full coolant jug and then a 50/50 mix to top it off. Then I'll have an extra half gallon of premixed sitting around in case i need to top it back off sometime
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2013
  9. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:10 PM
    #9
    TrdSurgie

    TrdSurgie revised

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Member:
    #73132
    Messages:
    4,167
    Gender:
    Male
    Oahu
    Yeay toyota got us by the balls on that one. Its up to you. I don't know how cold it gets in indiana. But shorting mixture can also reduce cooling.. however, I would do it but I live and san diego and do a lot of highway miles.
     
  10. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:10 PM
    #10
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2010
    Member:
    #31761
    Messages:
    8,317
    Gender:
    Male
    Nevada
    Vehicle:
    80 series Land Cruiser
    Cummins, tons, 40s
    I'd leave it be, if they're only filling your overflow up ever so slightly. I'm sure they used the "mixes with anything kind" and it's such a small amount that you'll likely be okay. Poke around the radiator and overflow and look for anything abnormal in the coolant.

    I wouldn't hesitate to use a quart of distilled water and no red coolant if that's what you're asking.
     
  11. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:12 PM
    #11
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2010
    Member:
    #31761
    Messages:
    8,317
    Gender:
    Male
    Nevada
    Vehicle:
    80 series Land Cruiser
    Cummins, tons, 40s
    A 60% water mix will cool more effectively than 50/50. However it raises the freezing point. In some very cold climates they will go 40/60. 50/50 is optimal for most of our purposes but you won't throw this off that much by using a little extra water.
     
  12. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:21 PM
    #12
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    The coldest it gets is typically single digits and the hottest is around 100F. I think I'll poke around a bit and keep an eye on it for now. I'll probably call the quick lube guys and see what they used also.
     
  13. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:24 PM
    #13
    TrdSurgie

    TrdSurgie revised

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Member:
    #73132
    Messages:
    4,167
    Gender:
    Male
    Oahu
    Doesn't coolent also add to boiling point of the water tho?
     
  14. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:27 PM
    #14
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2010
    Member:
    #31761
    Messages:
    8,317
    Gender:
    Male
    Nevada
    Vehicle:
    80 series Land Cruiser
    Cummins, tons, 40s
    No, water is more effective at cooling than coolant but coolant has so many other useful features it's necessary even in extremely hot climates. Should never go over 40/60 or 60/40.
     
  15. Mar 27, 2013 at 2:30 PM
    #15
    TrdSurgie

    TrdSurgie revised

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Member:
    #73132
    Messages:
    4,167
    Gender:
    Male
    Oahu
    Cool. Thanks.
     
  16. Mar 27, 2013 at 4:31 PM
    #16
    Mossy

    Mossy Mechanic for Honda

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2012
    Member:
    #94122
    Messages:
    580
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    billy
    san antonio, TX
    ProComp lift Borla exhaust Borla air filter Nfab bars
    You'll be fine for 2k miles. Don't sweat it. People mix coolant all the time
     
  17. Mar 27, 2013 at 4:39 PM
    #17
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2009
    Member:
    #22680
    Messages:
    6,681
    Gender:
    Male
    Location: In a van down by the river
    Vehicle:
    2007 Offroad DCSB AT- VSC,TRAC,HAC, & DAC
    Icon Stage 8, ECGS Bushing, Timbren bump stops, Crown braided/extended brake lines, Overland Custom Design sway bar links, rear differential breather extension, oil filter drain hose, a/c drain hose extension & reroute, front windows tint, Cat Security, XPEL headlight/fog & grill protection, OEM block heater, RCBS illuminated 4X4 switch,
    Since you had it done at a quick lube place you should be worried about the oil change too. :eek:
     
  18. Mar 27, 2013 at 4:46 PM
    #18
    chriss

    chriss Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2010
    Member:
    #38206
    Messages:
    99
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    chris
    Both right.
    Ethylene glycol has a higher boiling point than water. And lower freezing point.
    It also has a lower specific heat capacity of water. Meaning it cannot carry has much heat.
     
  19. Mar 28, 2013 at 5:21 AM
    #19
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    hahah...was waiting for this comment :rolleyes:

    I feel like changing oil is such a basic task, that when I need it done I can just pop by there for convenience. However, with all the info on here, I'm now going to do all the maintenance myself and treat my Taco properly (like I should've been doing all along)

    Thanks for the input on the coolant though everyone
     
  20. Apr 10, 2013 at 1:26 PM
    #20
    jlleiber

    jlleiber [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Member:
    #43646
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport DC 4x4
    Well, to update. I topped off the coolant reservoir on March 29th, drove the truck on the interstate for over 2 hours, and checked the reservoir after it cooled down - still at the full level. I then left the truck parked until today (was on vacation) and drove it back and forth to work (10 minutes each way). Checked my reservoir after those two quick trips and the coolant no longer registers. Pretty sure I have a leak somewhere and that somehow it drained out WHILE I was on vacation. Does that make any sense and any ideas as to where the leak may be?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top