Steps to changing coolant in 08Tacoma

Having used the search function on this web site I think I have all the information to change the Coolant in my 2008 Tacoma.
1) open radiator cap, reservoir cap, both block drains, radiator drain
2) drain all old coolant
3) close both caps and drains
4) fill with distilled water
5) start and idle with heater on high
6) turn off and let cool
7) open both caps and drains. If water is clear finishing draining.
8) if not clear repeat 1-7 until water is clear
9) fill system with appropriate coolant
10) start and idle until warm watching for air to escape from radiator fill opening

Have I missed anything?

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment

Terry

 

No need to turn the heater on high, the heater core is always open in modern vehicles. It’s not really necessary to do the distilled water unless you have a gunked cooling system. I just replaced my coolant with Toyota pink and it is perfect.
Couple tips
1. Invest in a coolant funnel, it makes your life 100 times easier. 20$
2. The engine block drains are not bolts, they are valves, they open and close, not screw and unscrew, they are made of brass and susceptible to damage. Be very careful when you go to loosen it and tighten it back.
I have never had to replace on but I imagine it’s a pain.
3. Go to Lowe’s and get 5/16 inside diameter 7/16 outside diameter clear tubing. It will slide around the male adaptor right under the engine block drain valve and let you avoid a huge mess.
4. YouTube is your friend, 100s of people have done drain and refills before, ther are great videos and if your stuck on a specific part, I can almost garentee there is a video explaining how to do it.
Best of luck

 

wdunnlee,
Thank you for your response.

Going to give it a try. Then on to the diffys/transfer case drain refill, lastly new brake fluid. Then off to the dealership for a tranny flush.

Terry

 

Your Tacoma is 6 cyl, right? Block drains don't unscrew? How do you open them? I will look for video. Does the 4 cyl, 2.7 L engine have block drains? Is it necessary to open them, or can the coolant exchange be done without opening them?

 

Block drains “unscrew” but they are not a bolt, you don’t remove them. You technically “screw” them back in to close them. Same idea, rightly tightly lefty loosy. 4 cyl does have block drains. You don’t need to empty the block if you are 100% positive your draining and filling the radiator with the same coolant, not a good practice to mix them.
If you don’t drain the block you won’t get it all out.

 

In my original post I never made any mention of the block drains being bolts all I said open the drains / close the drains.
But thanks for making sure that I'm aware of the difference.

Terry

 

My last post was a response to danarello.

 

Thanks wdunnlee. I have a lot of questions about catching up on maintenance.

Terry

 

Toyota says to use deionized water. But like most folks, I use distilled water. I’ve never had any cooling issues but that don't mean you wont. In step 9 you put in the antifreeze (5 qts for V6; 4.5 qts for 4 cyl), then top off with deionized/distilled water to get a 50/50 antifreeze mix. For colder regions, you may want a 55/45 mixture.

 

I used the professional method of a vacuum filler.

when it’s done, it’s done.

 

One of the best tools I have ever bought!

 

TacoTuesday 1
Any particular "professional method of a vacuum filler" that you recommend?

 

Not sure if you did it yet, but please research these videos from experts and take notes on things that apply to yours. Considering it's an 08' the first timmy the tool man vid will be more than enough. Just have to research the engine block drain points for your engine.

 

crazytacoman,
Thank you for your insight. And no, I haven't tried it yet.

Terry

 

Access the block drains through the wheel well. It's a drain valve that opens like a bolt. A couple turns and coolant will start coming out, it's easy. Don't over tighten when you close them. It doesn't take much and it's sealed.

Vacuum filling is more for cars with complicated cooling systems like VW/Audi and other euro stuff. Toyotas are simple, they make it easy. The whole point of these trucks is you can work on them without special tools. They're great like that. All you really need is a drain pan and a spill funnel