Coolant Service

[N9QGS]

I am at over 80K miles on my car original coolant, bought a tester, and took a sample from the radiator cap, its clear as can be and tested -45 freeze point. So am I good for a bit longer? or is there something that is not known about the coolant that maybe I should still consider changing it now? They (valvoline) said I could bring in Toyota Coolant and they can flush it with Toyota coolant they said to bring 6 to 7 gallons, does this sound right? also do you think they should discount my $79 service any for bringing my own coolant, what is a fair amount to request?

Ron

[jambo101]

Changing coolant is a good idea as it can become corrosive and lose its lubricating properties after a few years resulting in premature wear in hoses and water pump. 6-7 gallons i would assume to mean an already premixed solution of 50/50 coolant to water as there is no way your cooling system is going to hold 12-14 gallons.they should discount the cost of the coolant you brought with you.
Personally i'd either do the whole job at Toyota or at the Valvoline place as most coolants are compatible with most cars and the stuff Toyota is using is nothing special as they arent in the business of making coolant so they may even be using valvoline coolant.

[PetersRedYaris]

It's good for 120,000 miles. The system holds less than 2 gallons. Toyota Pink comes pre-diluted at $25 a gallon.

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

It's good for 120,000 miles. The system holds less than 2 gallons. Toyota Pink comes pre-diluted at $25 a gallon.
:thumbsup: correct. how many times are they gonna flush your radiator with 6 or 7 gallons:laugh:

[Chupacabra]

$25/gallon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[N9QGS]

Okay, so let me ask this, if the Toyota coolant is good for up to 120,000 miles and I had this impression that at least 100,000 miles. I know there is a lot of people that say Coolant should be done every 30,000 miles maybe on other vehicles, is it the coolant being used then, will the Valvoline require more frequent changes going forward or can I go another 80,000 comfortably with what they use or is that a question to ask them, even though they are in it to make money.

[PetersRedYaris]

I have compared the components of many different coolants and Toyota Pink coolant is indeed unique in that it contains some type of organic acids used as anti-corrosives. I don't have a bottle in front of me so I can't name them... Anyway, Toyota Pink is probably best, but many others can be used so long as they are phosphate/silicate free (as per the owners manual). In fact I have used Prestone extended life (yellow) with no problems. Your choice...

[Klink10]

Wow....just hit 10K in my 07HB, all this info ahead of time is appreciated.

[xpeteyjtx]

Okay, so let me ask this, if the Toyota coolant is good for up to 120,000 miles and I had this impression that at least 100,000 miles. I know there is a lot of people that say Coolant should be done every 30,000 miles maybe on other vehicles, is it the coolant being used then, will the Valvoline require more frequent changes going forward or can I go another 80,000 comfortably with what they use or is that a question to ask them, even though they are in it to make money.

Well if the factory pink coolant in your vehicle may be good to 120,000 miles, but the replacement pink coolant will not have a service life of another 120,000 miles (it will be less). Take a look at the service schedule in the manual.

So if you replace the Toyota pink coolant with some other stuff (Valvoline), the service life of the coolant will be further reduced from Toyota's recommendation, as I'm sure that Valvoline recommends a shorter service life. This is assuming that the Valvoline stuff is chemically compatible with the Yaris.

I would buy two gallons of the premixed pink stuff from Toyota and have the shop use that. An even better plan is to just do it yourself, as the shop will probably just drain the radiator and then just fill it back up.

[xpeteyjtx]

This is what Toyota actually says about the coolant...

"Initial replacement at 100,000 miles/120 months. Replace every 50,000 miles/60 months thereafter."
I also dug this up...
"Toyota is equipped with Genuine Toyota Super Long-Life Coolant. The replacement intervals for engine coolant recommended in this booklet are based on replacement with Genuine Toyota Super Long-Life Coolant or similar high-quality non-silicate, non-amine, non-borate ethylene-glycol coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology (i.e. a combination of low phosphates and organic acid). If another type of ethylene-glycol coolant is used, replacement intervals may be different."

I take back what I said about the shop only doing a radiator drain a fill since they told you to bring in 6 to 7 gallons. I would still do it myself... and if the shop ends up doing it, make sure you watch them.:evil:

[msfire671]

wow...$25.00/gal?

our dealer here on Guam sells it for $31.77...wth?!

btw i have about 11.230 miles on my 08...is it normal for he coolant to be on a "low" level? ive had oil changes on regular basis every 3 months...and within those oil changes they claim it was "ok". now its low thats why i never bothered to check it till yesturday..

and is it a must to use the pink coolant? its so expensive...

[PetersRedYaris]

wow...$25.00/gal?

our dealer here on Guam sells it for $31.77...wth?!

btw i have about 11.230 miles on my 08...is it normal for he coolant to be on a "low" level? ive had oil changes on regular basis every 3 months...and within those oil changes they claim it was "ok". now its low thats why i never bothered to check it till yesturday..

and is it a must to use the pink coolant? its so expensive...

Just take it to the dealer and they'll top it up, probably for free...

[msfire671]

cool...ill bring it by tomorrow.

[Shroomster]

cool...ill bring it by tomorrow.

they aren't going to top it with coolant just so you know.....

[PetersRedYaris]

they aren't going to top it with coolant just so you know.....

Why? If they don't they are a cheap ass dealer and I would go elsewhere...

[1stToyota]

Hopefully they will (or maybe they already did) drain the block at the same time. At 80K this isn't really a job for a flush machine, unless they needed 6 gallons to fill up their tank for free. It's pretty much an easy DIY project.

2 gallons of Toyota pink premix should do it, drain the radiator and block. Attach a short hose to make things a little less messy if you want. There's actually a little spout on the back of the block to make things easier.

[N9QGS]

In the repair manual it appears the coolant drain cock is located high on the engine, from my undert-standing, it should be low on the car and probably by the exhaust, does anyone have a picture of this plug or bolt and it location on the Yaris? I have a 2007 A/T sedan. I would like to do this drain and refill this weekend. but realized there is one more plug I will be after besides the one on the radiator itself. and is there any gasket on these plugs or nuts that I should get a replacement gasket from the dealer? The burping process seems trouble-free. Ron

[Shroomster]

Why? If they don't they are a cheap ass dealer and I would go elsewhere...

I mean they most likely will fill with tap water, not coolant....

[yaris-me]

You don't have to drain the block. Warm the engine, then open the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. When the flow slows, close drain and with the engine running, fill the radiator with water. Run the engine till it warms up and drain the water. Repeat two more times then let as much water drain out. Use undiluted antifreeze and add half of cooling liquid capacity. Run engine and fill with water till full.:smile:

[1stToyota]

If you want it simple and clean, drain the block along with the radiator. No flushing, draining, running, draining required. Just drain block and radiator into a pan, then refill with about 2 gallons of pre-mix...tap water isn't good for the system. And refill with the engine off. You should be able to get most of the 2 gallons in with the initial refill, before you top-off with the engine running.

[socko]

Where is the coolant drain plug on the engine block? Anyone have a photo?

[1stToyota]

Where is the coolant drain plug on the engine block? Anyone have a photo?

It almost looks like an outside water spigot/faucet...just loosen the head of the bolt and fluid will come out of the cute little spout. You probably can also add about 2 feet of hose (guessing 5/16ths I.D.) to make the job less messy. Block drain is roughly in the middle of the engine block (iirc), firewall-side.

[N9QGS]

I will take a picture of it tomorrow, I did the job today, it wasn't the results I expected. Some things were easier, some more difficult. I will share my story and thanks for everyones help.

I put the car up on the ramps, and first went looking for this engine block drain, after finding something that looked like what it could be I staired at the repair manual and confirmed the shape, yes it looks like a spigot outside your house. so I got my drain pan and removed all the moulding so I had better access to the yellow drain plug and can get a pan up to it, after tunring it slowly coolant came out a drain tube, this blew me away I did not relized it worked that way I thought the yellow plug was gonna come off and coolant was gonna come at a fast pace.

So I let this drain for about 10 minutes, its very slow to come out, after a minute i opened the top radiator cap. after this stopped draining I tightend the yellow plug and moved to the rear of the engine and I will tell you I had a socket and its very difficult to get at this bolt that you have to loosen. I eventually got the socket on there and then from the top of engine reached in and got the socket to the side and had a little more play as was able to loosen it enough that it started to drain, but I got less then a 1/2 cup out of the engine block, almost wasn't worth the trouble. I then tightened that back up and I filled the radiator all the way up, and ran for a few minutes and continued adding a little to retop. I eventually put the radiator cap and drove for 10 minutes it pulled some fluid in from the overflow, I let cool and then took the cap off, and topped again, ran engine and let it burp a little, it didnt do much anymore, and then I tightened it again and it appears to be fine, I drove coolant temp on scangauge same as normal, and I will check in morning to see it is still topped off and consider the job done. So in my case I used less than one galloon. not what I was expecting from what some of you suggested.

So what I am gonna do knowing that you don't have to remove anything to drain the radiator itself, I think I will do just a radiator drain and refill in another 30K and then at 150K I may consider trying this flush process or have someone else do it if I find that I shoudl be getting more fluid out :-) I am using Toyota premixed coolant.

Ron

[devinlamothe]

I have a question regarding the coolant. I have just over 100,000km and my coolant is at the LOW line. Can I just buy some premix from Toyota and top it up? Or should I get it flushed?

[1stToyota]

I have a question regarding the coolant. I have just over 100,000km and my coolant is at the LOW line. Can I just buy some premix from Toyota and top it up? Or should I get it flushed?

A top off right now is probably good enough. Or you could get it checked first with a test strip to see what condition your coolant was in.

[PolarWhite]

According to outside source, AAA and Car Care Aware Council, the #1 cause of mechanical breakdowns is cooling system failure. I only drive about 8500 miles per year. With that in mind, how long would it take to put 100k on my Yaris. Why anyone would wait for 10 years to change the antifreeze is beyond me. Maintenance is everything on any kind of equipment if you want it to last. I have seen many cars with rusted out heater cores, engine blocks and eaten up radiators because they weren't ever maintained. Why would Toyota care if you waited til your Yaris was 10 years old to change the antifreeze, does anyone here have a 10 year warranty. Hopefully your radiator will rust and fall out and you will go back to them for your new radiator. All antifreeze has additives such as rust inhibitors and corrosion inhibitors, those wear out just like the additive package in oil does. When those inhibitors are gone, you have basically water left. What happens if you put water in a metal bucket and leave it for 10 years? Just a thought to ponder.

[DerFlosser]

According to outside source, AAA and Car Care Aware Council, the #1 cause of mechanical breakdowns is cooling system failure. I only drive about 8500 miles per year. With that in mind, how long would it take to put 100k on my Yaris. Why anyone would wait for 10 years to change the antifreeze is beyond me. Maintenance is everything on any kind of equipment if you want it to last. I have seen many cars with rusted out heater cores, engine blocks and eaten up radiators because they weren't ever maintained. Why would Toyota care if you waited til your Yaris was 10 years old to change the antifreeze, does anyone here have a 10 year warranty. Hopefully your radiator will rust and fall out and you will go back to them for your new radiator. All antifreeze has additives such as rust inhibitors and corrosion inhibitors, those wear out just like the additive package in oil does. When those inhibitors are gone, you have basically water left. What happens if you put water in a metal bucket and leave it for 10 years? Just a thought to ponder.

Agreed but that was when things were actually made of metal. Now everything is made of plastic. :biggrin:

[yaris2007_22]

Where exactly is the engine drain block plug to drain coolant out of the engine. I have 2007 yaris. All I see is the drain cock for the radiator which can be seen on top of the hood.

[Kazimodo]

Well , this thread has been dead for 2 years ...
...but there were some interesting questions in it ,
..
from the service manual on pdf , they say to
empty the radiator , removing cap and loosening
the cock on the cylinder head , no mention of the
"bottom of engine spigot / faucet " ,
and if N9QGs did the job right ,
half a cup of old coolant left in the
engine is not worth the trouble .maybe he didn't loosen
the cock on cylinder head , from what he wrote he even
took radiator cap " off "after a minute of slow flow ...
wonder if engine would have given more milk (coolant)
if the top cock were loosened ?????
.
I'm at 145,000 Km , after 7 years , would not want to
rush this job for nothing ,since it is written that the
original coolant is good for 120 months ,(10 years WOW )
and 160,000Km .

[Klink10]

Where exactly is the engine drain block plug to drain coolant out of the engine. I have 2007 yaris. All I see is the drain cock for the radiator which can be seen on top of the hood.

It's on the back side of the block, down low. You will have to get under the car to get to it.

[auxmike]

It looks like a tap on a barrel. It's tricky to turn and is brass. Wasn't worth the effort involved for what came out.
Full antifreeze change at 54k miles.

[bronsin]

Just FYI

I changed the coolant on my 2001 ECHO just by the radiator drain. I dont remember the capacity but whatever the OM said that is what came out the radiator drain.

Comments? Did I FU?