I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma truck, and my manual calls for the “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”.
I've come to the conclusion that being able to change all of your coolant is probably impossible to do at home. To be honest, I even wonder how much of the old coolant is removed/replaced if you take your vehicle to your dealership! I'm guessing that unless whoever is "changing" your coolant has a coolant exchange machine, they're probably not getting much more than you are if you do it yourself?
Since I don't think it's possible for me to remove/replace 100% of the coolant, what if I drain the radiator and replace the coolant. Then, I'll wait for some time and/or just a few miles for all of the coolant to circulate and then drain the radiator and fill it up over again? I'm thinking if I do this drain/fill the radiator routine a few times, I've effectively "changed" all of my coolant and I should be good for quite a few miles?
Will this work O.K.? What about "burping" the system? Is that necessary?
I don't want to introduce any water (either distilled or tap) because I want the cooling system to work just like the truck came from the factory. I also don't want to use one of the "flush n fill" kits.
I'd like to hear your opinions, tips on how you "change" your fluid, etc.
Thank you,
Ed
I've come to the conclusion that being able to change all of your coolant is probably impossible to do at home. To be honest, I even wonder how much of the old coolant is removed/replaced if you take your vehicle to your dealership! I'm guessing that unless whoever is "changing" your coolant has a coolant exchange machine, they're probably not getting much more than you are if you do it yourself?
Since I don't think it's possible for me to remove/replace 100% of the coolant, what if I drain the radiator and replace the coolant. Then, I'll wait for some time and/or just a few miles for all of the coolant to circulate and then drain the radiator and fill it up over again? I'm thinking if I do this drain/fill the radiator routine a few times, I've effectively "changed" all of my coolant and I should be good for quite a few miles?
Will this work O.K.? What about "burping" the system? Is that necessary?
I don't want to introduce any water (either distilled or tap) because I want the cooling system to work just like the truck came from the factory. I also don't want to use one of the "flush n fill" kits.
I'd like to hear your opinions, tips on how you "change" your fluid, etc.
Thank you,
Ed