If I want to change out all of the anti-freeze in my Tacoma how would I do that?

I know there is a drain on the radiator, but won't that just drain the radiator?

How do I get all of the coolant out and refill with new coolant without screwing anything up?

Thanks!

 

If you search the forums there's a few methods and how to's posted. I would drain it, open the upper rad hose and put a running hose in it flowing into the engine side. Start the truck and put all heaters on high. once it comes out clean, shut it off and plug the drain. refill with whatever.

 

Drain the petcock on the rad with rad cap open, then run fresh water through rad off, then put petcock back on and fill rad with water. Let run about 5 minutes, drain petcock again and repeat till you do it 3x. Should flush everything out well..

Refill rad and leave cap off,let run till thermostat opens and fan kicks on to burp system. Put cap on.

 

That sounds like a winner but wouldn't that mean that I would now have water in my coolant lines?

How do I ensure I get the proper anti-freeze mixture in there after this is accomplished?

Thanks!

 

most of it should drain out just fine, it's not a super exact science

 

X2

 

Forgot to mention to refill with antifreeze. I buy the premixed stuff.. Fill the rad till it comes out then run, then fill some more.. Put a bunch in the overflow tank too..

 

Just a note if you have the time and ability you can minimize chances of air pockets if you lift the front of your truck and let it run a little while with the cap off, not necessary but it does help.

 

Plus put heater on to flush heater core

 

Yes...dont forget to set both the front seat heater and rear seat heater to HOT before you flush.

You can also drain the radiator via the petcock, close the petcock, open the block drain plug (near the oil filter) and flush with the garden hose through the block drain. Goes much faster. Then drain the radiator again. You will have some water in the block, just richen the coolant percentage a hair and your fine.

 

So right now my Tacoma has green collant in it. I'm assuming it's prestone as when I got my radiator replaced it was refilled with green coolant.

Is this bad for my truck? I've read around on here that green is no good for Toyotas. Is this true?

 

Also...I just got off the phone with my dealership and they say that 1999 Tacomas should use the green coolant.

Are they wrong?

I've just red so much on here about using the red stuff I'm a little confused.

 

you can use either the yota red or prestone 50/50 (any make, any model) coolant.. the key is with BOTH of those is to flush every 30k miles so the coolant wont become acidic and dry up your seals.. so if you do that or sooner you will be fine i promise..