NickMiller

Since I'm taking the time to have my leaky radiator rebuilt I was wondering what would be the best coolant choice... Up until this point, standard green coolant has been put into it, but I keep reading about this "Toyota Red" coolant that is supposedly better for the engine. I have three questions. How much does it cost ? Where do I get it? & Is it worth it? Any info is appreciated!

MudHippy

FYI, the 3VZ-E was designed to run on the standard green stuff. In fact so was the 5VZ-FE/any VZ series engine. You can use red, or whatever other color, in any of them actually. It really doesn't matter that much. They all do pretty much the same thing. And that's a FACT.

TNRabbit

The key is to not let it sit in there for 6 years. Annual changes are a GREAT IDEA. Coolant breaks down & it's lubricating & cooling properties give out.

I personally use Toyota Red. It's PRICEY (@ $20/container) & of course you can only get it from a dealer.

snobdds

My 1988 was factory filled with the green stuff. Have always used it and never have had a problem. I do change it every 2 years or so. Like has been said above, changing it often is more important than what color you use.

its_ru

so what green coolant can I use?

JoeS

My 1986 was OEM Green filled when bought new.
Good enough for Toyota, good enough for me.
Since been using it at 50/50 for 37 years and 484K with no issues.
Maybe newer vehicles might need red for some reason.
I do a full flush about every 10, or so years.
I drain and refill the radiator ( a lot comes out) maybe twice between full flushes to refresh the coolant.
It always comes out as green as it went in,

Jimkola

The OAT coolants (which the red and pink typically are, or a hybrid) have a significantly longer life than IAT coolants (which are often green). Iirc, Toyota was every 30k/2 years Bitd when they were using green. The red more thn doubled that. Some work better with different metals, but if changed regularly I doubt one is much better than the other.
But never mix the two. The mixing of different acids isn’t good, and the color of a red/green mix looks like hell

SoCalToyotas

all older trucks definitely had green, red works though, just don't mix them

its_ru

So I’ve been going to this shop for repairs for a while now , on and off, I got a shop in the neighborhood that does cheap work but you get what you pay for. This shop warranty their parts and work. Any way I got a timing belt and water pump replace on my 94 4Runner at 96k miles and they replaced my pink coolant with green. When I called to ask them what brand coolant they use they said any green would work…? Come to find out they use this brand called Rowe , so I’m wondering if I should just flush it out and replace it with the pink or find a green coolant to just fill with. ZEREX has a green coolant I can use. So what green brands can I use? Idk I’m just a bit confused.

JoeS

Been using green Prestone full strength mixed 50/50 in my 86 for 37 years and 484K miles and have had no coolant related issues. I say that is a success.
No blocked or leaking radiators or heater core. No stuck thermostat but did replace it with OEM just be safe. Just a slow leaking water pump I replaced last summer.
To flush and refill on a appropriate schedule probably matters more than what color in a Toyota 22RE engine.

Jimkola

The proper answer would probably be if the color and formulation(chemicals) are the same, then mixing with another brand of green is fine. But trying to do the formulation research will be taxing. I'd just figure that any green you use is compatible. Next time when a proper flush is due you can decide then on whether to swap back to pink or red. If you go with red I'd use distilled water to dilute. I use distilled in everything, including the washer bottle.
You may find the overflow bottle needs topping off more frequently with green instead of red or pink. I prefer adding straight coolant to overflow bottles, regardless of the color.

MooseRunner

Just want to add I too run universal green on all four of my 3VZE motors. A friend of mine started out as a toyota mechanic in the mid 2000s and cut his teeth on these engines. He is in agreement on universal green for them. Old school Prestone!

jammy5152

My Cousin worked for Toyota Dealerships for over 30 years and the recommendations are as follows:
Toyota RED WAS USED UP UNTIL 2000…and then they changed over to 50/50 Mixture…
So many different cars use different colors now…
The problem started when Chevrolet started using a Coolant that DETERIORATED THE HEAD GASKETS BECAUSE OF THE SEALANT APPLIED ON THE GASKETS WITH THE COOLANT…
My 1992 Toyota SR5 Extended Cab will continue to use the RED…BY THE WAY… my father in law gave me this truck a year ago and it blew the radiator with the green coolant and a
original Radiator was replaced from Toyota and I had Red replaced …the reason ?? It has protectants in the coolant that works with an aluminum radiators…Thts is the info I got
from Toyota…
Plus it helps with the crossover pipe at the rear of the engine from corrosion….
DO WHAT YOU WANT BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT CHOICE AND IVE MADE MINE…
Hope it helps ..please don’t hate!

its_ru

So I flushed my radiator, when I bought the truck it was pink and god knows how long it’s used pink. Took it to get the timing belt and water pump replace and they used that old stuff (Green). Personally I felt the green stuff while ok and probably more period correct, it’s a little outdated. So I switch back to pink. I’m using Preston’s Max Asian vehicles (Toyota Pink/Red OAT) call me an idiot but the marketing for that stuff got me lmao, but anyway it’s been on it for almost a month no problems. Here in SoCal we are at the beginning of winter and hitting lows of about 50 and my cars been cutting on and warming up fine, and keeping its self at good temperatures. No over heating or not warming up problems. The most important thing to take from Green (inorganic) and red/pink(organic) that we can all agree on is NOT MIXING THEM! one more thing I might add is get the premixed stuff.