what type of radiator fluid do i need?
09-09-2006, 06:41 PM
#1
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what type of radiator fluid do i need?
i have the 3.4 and will be flushing the radiator tomorrow. do i have to use toyota red coolant? i bought some prestone stuff from wally's and am going to clean/flush with distilled water. the chart there said that the fluid i got was good for imports. its yellow, and the dealers will be closed tomorrow here. ill be cleaning it with a small thing of prestone rad cleaner, to remove any scaling.
if you feel there is a need for the TOYOTA brand, tell me why please. anybody NOT use the "yota red"?
if you feel there is a need for the TOYOTA brand, tell me why please. anybody NOT use the "yota red"?
09-09-2006, 06:59 PM
#4
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Montrose, CO
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i have the 3.4 and will be flushing the radiator tomorrow. do i have to use toyota red coolant? i bought some prestone stuff from wally's and am going to clean/flush with distilled water. the chart there said that the fluid i got was good for imports. its yellow, and the dealers will be closed tomorrow here. ill be cleaning it with a small thing of prestone rad cleaner, to remove any scaling.
if you feel there is a need for the TOYOTA brand, tell me why please. anybody NOT use the "yota red"?
if you feel there is a need for the TOYOTA brand, tell me why please. anybody NOT use the "yota red"?
apart from that, just make sure your mix is up to the task of keeping things flowing this winter.
09-09-2006, 07:12 PM
#6
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...tember/04.html
I personally went for the GM DexCool stuff at Wal Mart, but that's just me. It was only $9 there.
I personally went for the GM DexCool stuff at Wal Mart, but that's just me. It was only $9 there.
09-09-2006, 07:16 PM
#7
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks for the link, i have no idea what the toyota stuff goes for but i bet its not cheap!!!
the stuff i got isnt premixed so its cheaper and i get more! i was going to get the orange til i saw gm on it! it would have cost me $30 for that one and i payed 20 for the equivelant of 4 gallons
the stuff i got isnt premixed so its cheaper and i get more! i was going to get the orange til i saw gm on it! it would have cost me $30 for that one and i payed 20 for the equivelant of 4 gallons
Trending Topics
09-10-2006, 08:35 AM
#11
Thats how we do it at work. Just attach a small hose to that downspout. Also, make sure you drain it into a container and take it to a recycling facilty to be disposed of properly....many auto parts stores can also handle the fluids.
DO NOT just let it drain on the ground!!!! BAD BAD BAD that ends up in storm drains and kills fish and other things. Like cats. And we al love kittys.
09-10-2006, 08:48 AM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some of the newer coolants are suppose to be easier on the environment than the old type green coolant. As long as your cooling system does not leak and is not overfilled to where it overflows out the reservoir the green stuff has no impact on the environment. Oh yea, don't dump the stuff down the drain; take it to a recycler. The only thing is some types do not mix well or at all.
Both the old type and the new type coolants have additives that help with scum buildup. There have been claims that the newer type coolant additives last longer but I have not witnessed this myself. Frankly, I have not run the newer coolant long enough to test this claim out.
The only thing is some types do not mix well or at all. If you plan on switching coolant make sure they are compatible or flush the whole system. You must also use the appropriate tester for they coolant you are using. I have had problems with anti-freeze testers that did not read the mixure correctly when to "compatable antifreezes" were mixed.
Personally, I use the cheap green coolant in my 1990 Toyota truck. Also, if cooling sytem work is required on newer fleet vehicles (at my place of employement) the coolant is switched to the green antifreeze.
Last edited by kdawghuntnfish; 09-10-2006 at 11:04 AM.
09-10-2006, 08:59 AM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats how we do it at work. Just attach a small hose to that downspout. Also, make sure you drain it into a container and take it to a recycling facilty to be disposed of properly....many auto parts stores can also handle the fluids.
DO NOT just let it drain on the ground!!!! BAD BAD BAD that ends up in storm drains and kills fish and other things. Like cats. And we al love kittys.
DO NOT just let it drain on the ground!!!! BAD BAD BAD that ends up in storm drains and kills fish and other things. Like cats. And we al love kittys.
exept for the loving kittys part!!!
09-10-2006, 11:34 AM
#14
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DANG!, the place on the base would have closed to soon for me to complete this task cause the fluid would have to cool down. i wonder if it will make a huge mess if i did it in the parking lot in the aprtments!!! j/k have to wait till wednsday now 
09-10-2006, 12:57 PM
#17
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i know!! just had the water pump changed and the thermo with it less thank 5k ago.
i was kidding, i think it will make a mess either way i do it! my luck i guess. ill just wait to put the runner on a lift and fill some buckets that way. i have to retap my tranny drain plug so i can do that while things cool down in there!
i was kidding, i think it will make a mess either way i do it! my luck i guess. ill just wait to put the runner on a lift and fill some buckets that way. i have to retap my tranny drain plug so i can do that while things cool down in there!
09-10-2006, 05:38 PM
#18
Sponsoring Vendor
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would only use the Toyota coolant. Here is a link to a great writeup on why to use toyota coolant.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...toyota+coolant
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...toyota+coolant
09-10-2006, 05:51 PM
#19
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
come on strap, either i missed it or that write up said NOTHING to state the facts that using the "yota red" is a must.
maybe you posted the wrong thread!!!
maybe you posted the wrong thread!!!
Last edited by fireteacher; 09-10-2006 at 05:55 PM.
