Coolant drain and refill

Hey y’all Ik there are endless threads on this but I can seem to find the answer to my question. I am planning on doing a coolant drain and refill on my 200k 05 Tacoma and am wondering two things. First I have heard people say that opening up the engine block drains can let air into the engine and lock it up. Is this just people being paranoid? Also I am wondering about how much I should expect to drain from the three drains. I know that the manual says it’s about 10.2 quarts but I’m trying to not buy three gallons if I have to .

 

Just did drain and fill on my 90k 2015 this past summer. Expect to drain out 8-9 quarts if you do the 2 engine drains and radiator. You will let air in but it wont lock your engine. You have to burb the system. I did it with 2 jugs. It was very easy, don't worry too much about it.

 

Of course opening the block drains lets air in...what else would replace the coolant? That said, whatever "lock it up" is supposed to mean it sounds like bullshit. This the the correct procedure to drain the coolant and there is no reason not to do so. I will say that very little came out of the drivers side drain when I've done this, and it's a PITA to open that one. The lions share comes from the rad and passenger drain. You could skip that one if you really want to make sure 2 gallons is enough. Drain the rad and passenger side first and measure what you got/make sure its under 2 gallons.

In my experience, draining the rad and two block drains you will collect about 2 gallons. Two gallons should refill it or damn close. Depending on your climate, you can top up with distilled water if you are a little bit short. Fill it, run it till warm and add as any air works its way out. Check it a couple times over the next few drives to make sure the level is good.

 

Yup do this.

IMO, dont even bother with the driver side block drain (its a BITCH to get to). Drain the rad and passenger side and call it good, you can do the driver side after those two and MAYBE get 1/2 a quart. Took my truck around 7-8 qt, so like stated, get 2 of these

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Zerex-As...eze-Coolant-50-50-Ready-to-Use-1-GA/144057949

Drain the overflow tank and fill with the 50/50 mix then start filling the rad, and if you need some more to fill the rad just top off with distilled.

 

I agree with the other guys.

All I can add is, a 22mm socket fits the “wings” of the petcock valve.
It helps get it loose if it’s “stuck”. I used a 6-point socket.

Thanks @Bishop84 for this tip. It helped me out

 

I also agree with just draining radiator and passenger side block drain. When I did this a few months ago I got hardly anything out of the driver side block drain. I will skip it next time.

 

Thanks everyone this is super useful info. I’m probably just gonna do the two drains and then see how much I get from that. Also anyone know how big of a tube fits on those drains?

 

I used a 3/8 ID hose on my passenger side drain without any problems.....Good Luck. Wondering if you're changing the radiator cap given the age of your Tacoma

 

Thank you! And no I wasn’t really planning on it, what should I look for in a worn radiator cap? If anything I gotta take out and clean my reservoir cause that shit is dirty as hell

 

The rubber seals will be "loose" and or swollen. The spring should feel firm.

Rad caps aren't failing points on Toyota but its not a terrible idea if you have any doubts about it.

 

All of this. Driver side block drain was… a challenge. I wouldn’t worry about it. Be gentle with the radiator drain plug.

 

Anyone have any strat in cleaning the reservoir? Either I’m dumb and can’t see it, or the reservoir is stuck to the fan cover? I was wanting to bring it up stairs to my sink so I could clean it out because it is awfully dirty, but am realizing I might just have to use a toothbrush and leave it in the engine bay.