The Correct Way To Drain/Fill the 4.0 Antifreeze

For reference for anyone getting ready to do this - I had a tough time finding the drivers draincock from underneath the truck, but both sides are easy to get to through the wheel wells.

Both drains are just to the left of the motor mount as you look at them, so the DS is toward the front of the vehicle, and the PS is to the rear.

DS


PS


You can reach in through the opening in the liner to attach the 1/4” hose to the drain (working by feel)

I found the best way to open the draincock is using a 3/8 drive 10mm socket on a 3/8 universal with multiple extensions so you can ratchet from inside the wheel well

 

Another approach:

I access drivers side eng. block drain plug from the top. Remove small silver bracket in order to provide your arm better access for reaching in & feeding the extension on to the drain plug:

 

Could be true in the 80's, but the pink stuff was made specifically for Toyota's engines. That being said, I've replaced the OEM coolants from all my Toyota products and with universal coolant - Walmart's Supertech, the green stuff. Color doesn't matter, read the directions and make sure it is compatible for your vehicle. The Supertech says it can be combine with all coolants and all colors. It's still a good idea to flush out the old coolant. Also, per the manual, after 1st coolant replacement, replace coolant every 50K/60months thereafter.

Do you void your warranty if you don't use Toyota coolant? No, Toyota says to use "Toyota Super Long Life coolant, or similar high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrate, and non-borate coolant with long life hybrid organic acid technology." i've been using universal coolants since the 80's and I've never had cooling issues. All have OEM water pumps but plan on replacing them at 200K as preventive maintenance.

 

What the heck is the "small silver bracket" for? It doesn't look like it does anything in my truck

 

@k5driver It appears to divert liquids flowing downward away from the alternator.

 

What do people think about Aisin ACT-002 Super Long Life Coolant?

I can get it for $12.93/gallon.

http://www.aisinaftermarket.com/English/Product.php?product_id=25

Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is $25/gallon at the dealer which is crazy.

I haven't change my coolant since my truck was new so it's about 12 years.

 

There are 2 drains, Ine on both sides of the engine (driver AND passenger side). Also after putting fresh coolant back in you need to make sure you run your heater so the coolant flows through your heater core.

 

I used this.

 

I did just did my coolant drain and fill and here is what I found:

1. Bought 2 gallons of the Aisin SLLC. I still have 3/4 gallon of Toyota SLLC from before. I think Aisin makes the SLLC coolant for Toyota because both bottles look exactly the same including the yellow cap.

2. The original upper & lower radiator hoses still look fine after 12 years. But I went ahead and replaced them with Gates hoses as a preventive measure. The Gates lower hose was a little long so I had to cut an inch off.

3. Everyone says to use 1/4” ID tubing on the engine drains but I found it to be too tight. 5/16” ID tubing works a lot better.

4. After draining the radiator, overflow tank, and both sides of the engine block, only 2 gallons came out instead of 3. It took 2 gallons to fill everything back up.

5. The driver’s side drain was hard to get to. I put the socket and universal joint on first. Then the extensions separately. Otherwise I couldn’t get it on the drain bolt in one single piece

6. The engine seems to run a little cooler based on eye balling the temp gauge.

 

Cooling system Capacity

2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine
9.1 qt. (8.6 L, 7.6 Imp.qt.)
Vehicles with a manual transmission
9.2 qt. (8.7 L, 7.7 Imp.qt.)
Vehicles with an automatic transmission

4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
10.1 qt. (9.6 L, 8.4 Imp.qt.)
Vehicles with a manual transmission
10.3 qt. (9.7 L, 8.5 Imp.qt.)

 

Parking this here in case anyone needs it (Tech Service Manual procedures). The picture is misleading, makes it look like a drain is in the valve cover but that is really looking through the transparent engine to the passenger side.

 

These pics really helped me locate both drains very easily. Thanks!!

I added about 9.5 qts of new TLLC coolant after topping offf the radiator once since the maintenance was done. The reservoir is about 1/2” over the full line

 

Rats, I got two gallons of Aisin but that's only 8 quarts so I guess I'm 1.5 quarts short. Will have to buy another gallon

 

Where did you get the Aisin from? I’m thinking of using the Valvoline from Walmart.

 

Nothing wrong with Valvoline. I got Aisin from Amazon for $20/gal shipped. About $7/gal more than Valvoline but it’s the original pink stuff. Worth the extra for me.

 

OP very nice write up. I was looking for a write up like this. Thank you for taking to time. And to everyone for adding great information.

 

I know this is an old thread but still very helpful Thank you for posting and adding diagram

 

Got a dumb question. But if you were do the main drain and not the engine blocks (thus not needing to bleed air out of the system or deal with the difficult angle), is there much harm in that? To just replace a majority of the fluid.

 

Nope, not at all. In fact, that's how some people do it. Do a drain and fill on the radiator 2 times with a few days in between will net you mostly new coolant. Do it a 3rd time if you feel the need.

Unless you're hell bent on using Toyota SLLC....go to Walmart and get a couple of gallons of Valvoline Asian formula with Zerex. $12 for a premixed gallon. It's basically identical to the SLLC.

 

there is two block drain plugs that look like little spickets, one driver and one passenger, which can be accessed through wheel well behind the tire with a long extension. there is also a drain on the radiator itself on driver bottom side. also good to replace thermostat, hoses as needed after drained of course. Once completely drained, you can replace thermostat and hoses if needed, should only need two hoses. if that far into it, may want to check water pump and belts, alternator while having more access. if not, reconnect all. fill with radiator cleaner (I use Royal Flush) http://www.royalpurpleconsumer.com/products/royal-flush-cooling-system-flush-2/ and fill up completely with water and run 15 mins. then drain again and fill back up with water, run another 15 mins, oh yea let cool down between drain and fill back up with radiator fluid and burp and run and burp until no more fluid needed I might of missed a few steps, but the rest is not to bad. fairly simple, just going off the top of my head here. don't forget to clean out the reservoir as well also and refill, blah blah blah.