are there any threads on doing this? is it simple? can i just drain it, and fill it up with toyota antifreeze?? got a radiator flush from pep boys 2-3 years ago, and figure why the hell not now?

 

First off buy a cheapo anti-freeze tester for ~$5 and see if you need to change it. If so:


1. Buy 2 gallons of Toyota Anti-freeze & either oil pan or gallon+ size bucket
2. Jack up car and locate bucket under drain plug of radiator
3. Remove radiator cap
4. loosen drain plug at bottom of radiator (leave in or close by so you can put it back in if you need to empty off the bucket).
5. Remove anti-freeze
6. Squeeze hoses to remove excess trapped in motor
7. Re-insert drain plug in bottom of radiator
9. Put ~1.5 gallons anti freeze in radiator or until it is near to top of where the cap sits.
10. Fill reserve tank to full mark.
11. Let car down drive around the block
12. Top off if needed when motor cools down.

 

you don't need to "flush" your system, just drain the rad. and fill it back up. make sure you burp all of the air out of the system by running the car with the rad. cap off until the cooling fans come on.

 

alright, sounds pretty simple.. is there any special toyota antifreeze i have to buy? and how much does a gallon usually cost??

 

Dealer for the antifreeze. Only option I would suggest.

 

use the toyota stuff.

 

ok but how much is it?? im gonna have to get some tomorrow. i just drove like 15 minutes away, and checked my reserve tank.. and it was sooo far past LOW it wasnt even funny.. is the drain plug easy to spot? and what size wrench? socket? would i have to use?? could i just buy a jug, and add it to the reserve tank, and radiator? without draining it? i have no tools at the moment..

 

how much would a radiator flush be at toyota?

 

You need 2 gal. If your res. is that low you should look for a leak. Start with the water pump. You don't need any special tools do drain the rad. A complete flush would be around 150 depending on the dealer.

 

but could i just get a jug and fill the res. tank? until i do the radiator flush

 

ya thats what its there for.

 

Our cars use super long life coolant. You don't have to do anything until you hit 100k miles.

 

ok just filled up the res. tank.. should i add coolant to the radiator when it cools?

 

No It will just pull it from the res. When it needs it.

 

Vlad is right about the sll coolant also but it's up to you.