The Correct Way To Drain/Fill the 4.0 Antifreeze

Toyota coolant from dealer is pre-mixed. No need to water down.

 

I just thought that I might save me some $ and buy 2gal instead of 3.

 

Thanks for the write up, I laughed when you said "they are wrong".

 

yup, i wasn't able to drain out the full capacity either. Not a big deal. I kept the extra jug as a spare. Yes, save your monies and purchase just 2 gal., you can always go back and buy more.

 

So what is the correct mileage intervals ? I to find it hard to be leave that it should go 100k .

 

dealer told me I was scheduled to do mine at 130,000km (about 80k miles) When I looked it up in the owner's manual it stated 160k km = 100k miles.
Mine was still pink, with no particles or anything that would suggest its gone bad. I don't know what the used pH was at or anything so appearance isn't everything.

 

Yeah I'm not sure what to think. I know that my 99 Tacoma it was every 60k. I live in Arizona and the heat in the summer is rough on them. I was reading a thread a while back that guys where having issues after they did the tranny fluid. So yeah don't know what to think.

 

compared to fuel cost per year, fluid changes are relatively cheap. Type of use the truck goes through ie towing, running hot, etc. counts for a lot. Changing fluids sooner does no harm, and likely could prolong the life of the mechanicals. Only harm is to the wallet. Take this as my opinion though; I'm not a mechanic.

 

Do you guys know if I can simply add some OEM coolant to what I have without replacing all the fluid? Probably have 20k miles since last flush, and it's getting to "low." I simply want to throw more pink into pink.

 

Yes, that is what you would do. The question is 'is there a leak'? Check your carpets inside the front cab, in case there is a leak on the heater core. Usually you smell it if it is leaking in the cab.

 

Cool, thanks. You suggesting there may be a leak? I assumed it evaporated or was used up. I live in Los Angeles, so my ac is often on.

 

Coolant system is a closed loop system, that has pressure in it when running. Coolant doesn't get used up unless there was a head gasket leak into the cylinder. (Exhaust would blow white smoke - steam if there is a head gasket leak.) I understand the reservoir draws fluid into the system, when the system cools down and there is a vacuum in the system. It should not evaporate, from my understanding. Are you talking about just the reservoir tank, or is the fluid actually low in the radiator when you check?

 

Just in the reservoir tank. I almost lost the engine at 6k miles due to mud in the radiator, and $5k here we are. Noticed last week that the coolant was almost at "low" when the truck wasn't running. Haven't noticed it at other times, though. Haven't popped the cap to check the radiator either.

 

I gather what you mean is the outside of the radiator was plugged with mud versus mud mixing in with the coolant, and the engine got hot. Overheating an engine can lead to warped heads and head gasket failure. From what you are describing, with there still being fluid in the reservoir, you probably don't have a problem. Do check out the level in the rad, when the engine is cold.

 

Yeah, sorry, I should've been more clear. The radiator was plugged, and the engine overheated massively. Could barely get it home - waited until nightfall and stopped often to dump more coolant in. Toyota said the block was fine, but needed to replace the gasket as well as tear everything apart and get the mud off. Thanks for your help, Rob!

 

What's the concensus on Non-OEM fluid such as this Zerex Asian Vehicle 50/50 mix?

 

Between opening both block drains and the radiator drain I only got about 2 gallons out (spilt some). I can't even get 2 full gallons back in it. Gonna run it tomorrow to work and check the coolant level again.

 

Did this today. Once you know where the engine drains are you don't really even need to crawl under the truck. Turn your wheel right and you can easily see the drivers side plug through the wheel well. Next time I do this I will just use a mirror to view the drains. If you paid the dealer to do this you are nucking futs!

 

No reason not to use it.

Also, you could use Beck/Arnley Red Concentrate or the Pre-mix Pink Extended from them. Red Concentrate is good to 100,000 miles mixed with distilled water and the pre-mixed Pink Extended is good to 150,000 if a complete flush is done. Not sure about the Zerex, but the Beck/Arnley is certified to not void the Toyota warranty.

 

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