Wrong coolant, now what

My 17 year-old son has a 2000 Tacoma V6. About 6 weeks ago it started leaking coolant, he found a crack in the radiator. Like a knucklehead (and without my knowledge) he continued to drive it a couple miles a day. When I learned he was driving it I hollered at him to park it until he could afford the parts to fix it. The radiator was actually dry, fortunately it was literally less than 2 miles a day.

I had to go out of town for a few weeks because my father died and had to take care of my mother. While I was gone my son filled up the radiator with Peak 50-50 antifreeze for Asian vehicles. Problem is he used the BLUE instead of the PINK. When I heard about it I hollered at him again and told him to park it. I plan to drain it and flush it this weekend before I replace the radiator and hoses. Other than that, is there anything else I need to do? Hoping there isn't some significant damage incurred. Any help is appreciated.

 

I imagine that it's nothing a cooling system flush wouldn't fix if it hasn't been in there for very long. Shouldn't be that hard if yourey replacing the radiator.

 

yeah you don't want to mix different kinds of coolant. Most recommend the OEM Toyota pink stuff but you can run other kinds, just don't want to mix them.

Doesn't sound like he drove it much with it mixed so I'm sure it's OK...I'd be more concerned with it possibly being overheated since it drove it with very little coolant.

 

It's blue to mimic formulas like the OEM Honda coolant. It's just coloring. Nothing to worry about. But if it's something that bothers you, drain it out and start fresh.

No damage from the blue Asian formulas. You can relax

 

BTW....you can buy Valvoline Zerex in the Toyota pink color at Walmart for around $12. It's premixed and is a HOAT formula.

 

I agree a system flush and refill with the correct pink SLLC coolant will do it right.
I've used the Valvoline pink coolant "for asian vehicles" and I haven't had any problems. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Asian-Vehicle-Antifreeze-Ready-To-Use-1-Gallon/49660461
Lots of people say this (and the Zerex for asian) is nearly the exact formulation as the more pricey Toyota stuff. Although next time I might pony up a few more dollars just for peace of mind.
Good luck... although your kid should have asked you first, I think it's good that he is trying to fix stuff

 

Your fine. It's the same formula just different color. I've been running blue in my 4runner for many years because it's all that I could find locally and kept using it.

 

Thanks everybody for the input, very much appreciated. My son also thanks you, now he will not have to learn to walk with a limp.