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Is a coolant change really this hard?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by JustADriver, Dec 26, 2021.

  1. Dec 26, 2021 at 4:21 PM
    #21
    JustADriver

    JustADriver [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I guess I should ask - Should I have new coolant in the reservoir before I start the engine, to help it suck in coolant instead of air?
     
  2. Dec 26, 2021 at 4:27 PM
    #22
    CodeSeven

    CodeSeven LOC: 33.781461, -115.867251

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    "new" as opposed to none at all? yes.

    "new" as opposed to old stuff that's been in the reservoir for a couple years? i wouldn't worry about it. it's likely not contaminated.
     
  3. Dec 26, 2021 at 4:32 PM
    #23
    stevesnj

    stevesnj Well-Known Member

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    Put coolant in it after you add coolant to the radiator. It's part of the coolant system capacity. Then start the truck.
     
  4. Dec 27, 2021 at 1:36 PM
    #24
    treyus30

    treyus30 70% complete 70% of the time

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    Wtf is this thread. Drain and refill. Run for a few mins, let cool, top off rad and resi. Done.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2022 at 8:59 PM
    #25
    JustADriver

    JustADriver [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looks like I got this done. It took a very long time to fully drain while I did other stuff, first draining from the petcock, then when that stopped I did more from the lower radiator hose. It was fairly easy with the no spill funnel kit. I used a combination of the ARES and OEMTOOLS funnel kits, as OEMTOOLS did not have the right adapter.
     
    stevesnj, MGMDesertTaco and CodeSeven like this.
  6. Feb 14, 2022 at 5:08 PM
    #26
    OldTacoDD

    OldTacoDD current brain has check engine light on

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    Some ppl don't know to fill the reservoir or leave the cap on while draining the rad.
    1st gens will stay revved up on idle when you first start it up after a drain/fill. Good indicator you need more fluid, just keep track of how much water to concentrate or pre-mix you filled it with.
     
  7. Feb 15, 2022 at 3:39 AM
    #27
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    My luck is never that good !!

    The first time the drain petcock broke out of the radiator.

    New cheap plastic tank radiator put the coolant in the crimped gasket poured coolant out.

    Broke the thermostat bolts though I guess that does not count.
     
  8. Feb 15, 2022 at 11:33 AM
    #28
    OldTacoDD

    OldTacoDD current brain has check engine light on

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    Be gentle if it's been a long time or go for the drain plug(s) instead. Petcock is just a backup to finish draining if it doesn't seem enough came out.

    Plastic rad, wut? Breaking the T-bolts, you must be that owner who thinks anything with threads was locktite on? PB for awhile, no breaker bar involved (or stripped heads/tap n dye required).
     
  9. Feb 15, 2022 at 1:34 PM
    #29
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab Well-Known Member

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    Is it really worth all the trouble of doing this DIY just to save a few bucks? Seems more efficient to find a shop with a non-pressurized coolant flush machine.
     
  10. Feb 15, 2022 at 1:44 PM
    #30
    alexh

    alexh Well-Known Member

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    I have done mine many times and had no trouble - I think it may be because my driveway has a pretty good grade thus air can get out easily?

    I like this comment by Trey, maybe I'll ask him if I can put in my sig.

    "Wtf is this thread. Drain and refill. Run for a few mins, let cool, top off rad and resi. Done."

    The real crime is what Toyota charges for coolant, I think its up to $40 now.

    I saw someone posted a Youtube on how to clean intake mani runners - geez we really need a Youtube for that?
     
    treyus30 likes this.
  11. Feb 15, 2022 at 3:08 PM
    #31
    treyus30

    treyus30 70% complete 70% of the time

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    lmao take it, it's all yours
     
  12. Feb 15, 2022 at 3:11 PM
    #32
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab Well-Known Member

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    Yeah it can be a PITA to deal with all the waste fluid though, especially if you have a lot of rust in the system.
     
  13. Feb 15, 2022 at 6:00 PM
    #33
    OldTacoDD

    OldTacoDD current brain has check engine light on

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    If you do the upkeep - there should be no rust in the system.
    Ever.
     
  14. Feb 15, 2022 at 6:26 PM
    #34
    Ozark_RegCab

    Ozark_RegCab Well-Known Member

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    yea it's usually on an old neglected sh*tbox you just picked up for $1500
     
  15. Feb 15, 2022 at 6:32 PM
    #35
    OldTacoDD

    OldTacoDD current brain has check engine light on

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    If you do see rust flakes, get a new rad hose and Tstat. No reason to throw the dice on that one especially if it's been trashed prior to buying it.

    What is with filling on an incline business?
    Ever see a shop or tech write up that it should be done? (fast answer, no).
    A basic search on how coolant flows through the engine is a quick way to figure out how to flush/fill any radiator.
     
  16. Feb 15, 2022 at 6:38 PM
    #36
    OldTacoDD

    OldTacoDD current brain has check engine light on

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    Incline has nothing to do with it, you just figured out how to do it on any vehicle out there.
    The crime is buying Toyota branded when Asisn Red is all you need...off Amazon for a few bucks cheaper but not by much.
    YT is good for entertainment purposes only. Nuff said.
     
  17. Feb 16, 2022 at 2:55 AM
    #37
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    Locktite me I buy Never Seize buy the case as well as Kroil.

    New Radiators have plastic tanks that are crimped to the core those gaskets can and do leak.


    In most cases these were all vehicles that cycled through the shop because the owners wife said not a cent more!!

    I had never seen before dropped off with a signed title and a little history .

    Interesting to come home to surprises from out of town work.
     
    OldTacoDD[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Feb 16, 2022 at 11:16 AM
    #38
    OldTacoDD

    OldTacoDD current brain has check engine light on

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    @Bivouac It's amazing how many people will use locktite where they shouldn't.
    Never seize works if you really feel the need.

    I'd hunt for anything but plastic, even if it came from a pick n pull yard. It just seems like asking for trouble with plastic but then again...I'm old school.
     
  19. Feb 16, 2022 at 1:02 PM
    #39
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    I was just describing some of the fun times when things go wrong. I have a friend with a radiator shop i sometimes weld inner coolers and heat exchangers He no longer even does light vehicle radiators only for good customers because they are so cheap

    All my running vehicles have copper and brass all metal radiators

    Where i live if you don`t never seize it never comes apart without drilling or cutting.

    Untreated steel rusts in the rack inside that never saw rain or winter chemicals
     
    OldTacoDD[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Feb 16, 2022 at 5:58 PM
    #40
    OldTacoDD

    OldTacoDD current brain has check engine light on

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    Good on the radiators you have in your own fleet. Curious, MIG welds on coolers and heat exchangers?

    We don't have the weather or live where elements will tear up any vehicle. I bought 2 jeep YJ's 89' & 94' that weren't garage queens, zero rust anywhere. The 89' was set up as a hunting rig, kept it that way, just sold it to a friend who lives in the best hunting grounds in the sate.
     

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