The Correct Way To Drain/Fill the 4.0 Antifreeze

Anyone got a pic of the block drains?

 

There is pics on here somewhere. A google image search is easier.

 

Passenger side block drain. Should look the same on the Driver side.

 

Left or right?

 

That sounds about right. I drain my radiator only and between that and the overflow tank I think I only put back 1 gallon. Drain the block and you'll get a lot more, like spitdog just said.

 

After the first it drops to 50k or 5 years

 

I'm at 203,000 . Coolant was swapped at 100k I'm the second owner. The coolant is still bright pink just like the new. Should I think about flushing it again? I thought this coolant was supposed to be longer lived?

 

Yea, it's probably about time. The coolant wont discolor, but the properties will still break down.

 

Has anyone ran into the problem of the whole assembly spinning? Not just the brass nut.. thanks!

 

Has anyone ran into the problem of the whole assembly spinning? Not just the brass nut.. thanks!

 

If you remove the black side skirts in the wheel wells, you'll see the cocks straight ahead. If you have a lift, you wont have to remove the tires to slide some extensions in there to loosen the cocks.

 

Did mine today and drained about 7.5qts from the radiator and passenger side block. From some previous comments on here I skipped the driver side because they said only a few ounces came out after draining the passenger first and it wasn't worth the hassle to me. I was able to reach the passenger side block drain from laying underneath on a creeper using a 10mm deep socket, 3" extension and standard socket wrench. Used a hose to drain the fluid into a bucket. I left the wrench on the bolt until it fully drained and then tightened it back up. Ended up using 2 complete gallons of new fluid to fill it up using the spill proof funnel mentioned in this thread somewhere. Highly recommend getting that!

 

Anybody else have drain valves that were clogged? I've got the brass screw almost fully removed and nothing will come from the petcock valve...tried compressed air...any suggestions before I pull that brass screw all the way out and just accept the mess?

 

maybe it’s just empty! lol

kidding...I didn’t have that problem. But I’d probably pull the whole thing out if you can. Something must be in the way.

 

Just after I say that...I got it...dirty clog...used weedwacker line to fish around in the petcock

 

Here is a picture of the driver side block drain that the OP claims doesn't exist:

As seen from the wheel well. Probably easier accessed from under the truck. I tried slipping some 3/8" ID hose on there and it's too big. 1/4" is a good snug fit. You might be able to get away with 5/16" ID as well.

Update: Did the job last night. 1/4" fits on the block drains but I had to stretch it out a bit. I'm thinking 5/16" would be a better fit.

1/4" is too small for the rad drain. 5/16" should work well for that as well.

 

I finally decided it was time to drain and put in new coolant. 10 years and 95k mi and honestly the coolant still looked pretty good. Anyway drained the Rad and since you have such a nice pic of the drivers side block drain I just hit that one. I had some different size hoses. I dont know the exact size but it was an old water line that fit both so that was nice. I drained just short of 2 gallons. I know there was another 2 quarts or so in there but considering the condition of the original fluid I said that's good enough for me. I called ahead (before starting)to make sure the dealer had the OEM 50/50 super long life (it really is great stuff). Drove the BMW and picked up 2 gallons ($20/ea) and have about a quart left to top off as needed. Time for a cold one for myself.
As a side note while I was at the dealer they had a couple Tacomas out front with lifts, rims and tires and god knows what else but they have them listed over $60K!
Holy bat mobile Guy comes over says you looking to get a new truck? I just laughed and said I have one thanks. He said they will be gone in a few days at those prices!!

 

Bought a 2012 with 140k on it. Keeping parked, even though it runs fine, until maintenance is up to snuff. So far, found it had factory front brakes, factory spark plugs and, I believe factory coolant, hoses, transmission fluid and differential oil. Been working on it to bring it up to date such as new plugs, brakes, serpentine, cleaned maf (throttle body soon), covered the worn seats. Doing differential tomorrow and then off to the dealer for a full 13 qt transmission service. Today I tackled the engine block and radiator coolant with new hoses and a radiator cap. This thread made everything simple. Pulled 2.2 gallons out of it, drained the reservoir, replaced upper/lower hoses and put a new cap on it. Only drained block from passenger side because I read that side drains more than drivers side. Had about 1-1/4 gallons of Pentofrost and a gallon of Zerex. I know the pix are repetitive so will only post a minimum. For reference I had a 30 inch extension setup to open the passenger side drain valve. Easy peasy.