Toyota Red or Green~Oh What To DO!

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Fresh engine here.

Mr. Sucky's shop put some terrible looking weak pale green puke coolant in my new engine! I can't believe it!!!!!

Then he told me to change the coolant at the 500 mile oil change! I thought.....what the HECK! (I'm changing it sooner you little......!)

I don't want to make a terrible coolant mistake after all the pain I have gone through getting my engine finally fixed!

Can anyone help with the age old Toyota question?

Toyota RED or GREEN Coolant?


Any tips for changing/flushing the Coolant?

Must we use the engine drain plugs or is flushing with a hose good enough using heater on? When flushing with hose, do we do this with engine cold? I don't think I would want cold water flushing through my running temp. engine.

When we refill.....should we use distilled water for the other 50%.

Any other help/idea's?

Thanks!

~Mark

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[BajaTaco]

Did you get a new water pump with your new engine? I know that the newer 5VZ-FE 6-cylinder engines have cooling systems that are designed to use the TOYOTA RED coolant. The red coolant is a formula without silicates or borates that are found in the traditional green coolants. It is also designed to have much longer service life. Once the seals are conditioned to the red coolant, the silicates can damage them if you switch to a traditional green coolant. I am not sure which coolant the 3.0 was designed for, but probably the red coolant as well. You should check into it, especially if your water pump is used to the red. If your pump is new, then maybe the green is not such a big deal. As far as flushing the system, you might want to take it to a dealer or shop that can thoroughly evacuate the system as well as reclaim the coolant for proper disposal.

I went through a hassle with this back in 2000 in San Diego when Pacific Beach Toyota serviced my truck and filled it with the green coolant (worse yet, without fully evacuating the red). They totally snubbed me on it and refused to make it right. I had to get Toyota USA corporate involved - it was a huge pain in the butt and a big waste of my time and energy.

 

[kcowyo]

Well I like red with my Enchiladas but I like green over my Burritos. Sometimes I go Christmas style with my Chimichangas.....:chowtime:

 

[Ursidae69]

Well I like red with my Enchiladas but I like green over my Burritos. Sometimes I go Christmas style with my Chimichangas.....:chowtime:

I'm always go red on my chicharron burros, green on everything else, Christmas if I am feeling brave. :elkgrin:

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Thanks Baja...

....and I'm sorry you had that experience here in San Diego. I KNOW in Arizona they would NOT treat you like that!

Your post above proves that this is a problem of unkown proportions!

I DO have a NEW Water Pump.

It looks like Mr. Sucky's rebuild shop put in a 50/50 pre mix green coolant and did the last 50% as water. So it is a very light pale green.....proving that he is tighter than me!....LOL I've never seen such a thing!

I did call Poway Toyota parts dept. today. They told me the Toyota Red coolant just has a die in it so they know it's Toyota Coolant. But this is NOT what I have read before, such as what you have noted above!

So much confusion.....

So I asked him.....OK.....can you tell me if in 1988 did Toyota have the RED coolant and use it in my 3.0 engine. He checked with service and they said no, they did NOT have Toyota RED Coolant back in 1988.

BUT!......I asked Mr. Sucky what year my new reman. long block engine is from and he said he thinks from a 1994! (by they way....this is what I told Mr. Sucky to use back in Oct. rather than another 1988 possible "green block" with well placed/hidden oil galley crack from the factory! So if he would have listened to me....he would not had to have done my engine twice!)

OK!......are we confuzzelled enough yet!.....LOL

See what I mean>?! :smilies27 rngartis



....and just to make this clear!......I prefer Shreaded Beef Tostadas, with salsa fresca!!!! YUMMERS!:sunflower ....I don't care what time of year it is!:chowtime:

 

[BajaTaco]

Thanks Baja...

....and I'm sorry you had that experience here in San Diego. I KNOW in Arizona they would NOT treat you like that!

Actually, the work in San Diego was done under Toyota factory warranty, and I drove the truck home to AZ before I noticed the (now purple-ish brown) coolant, so I took it to the dealer where I bought my truck for their help in resolving the matter. And they treated me like crap. Long story...

I did call Poway Toyota parts dept. today. They told me the Toyota Red coolant just has a die in it so they know it's Toyota Coolant.

That is a load of BS. I would call back and speak to the General Manager. He should be made aware that his parts guy is spewing crap to his customers, just on the chance that he may not be aware of it. But my guess is that the parts guy said that because they probably buy standard green coolant in bulk to use for their service, since it is much cheaper to buy. I really wish Toyota USA would regulate this kind of crap because it would save a lot of problems.

The first thing you should do is find out exactly what kind of coolant Mr. Sucky put into your system. There are brands of coolants that are long-life, low silicate formulas that are green, so you should check to see what exactly you are dealing with. The coolant product will have the recommended water/coolant mixture (so don't be upset that water was used - just hopefully the right amount). Regarding your particular engine and pump - unfortunately, it might be hard to find out what coolant was originally intended to be used with it. But suffice it to say, I think you will be better off using the red Toyota coolant regardless. Try calling Toyota customer care and see if they can give you a straight answer.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Prestone claims their new formula is compatable with ANY color coolant.

Look at what Prestone says.

So.....does this mean we can trust what Prestone says, and use it?

I am NOT a Prestone lover!.....just adding to the discussion.
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Oh thanks...Baja.....I just now saw your post above.

I will call Toyota Customer Care.....thanks!

I know Mr. Sucky had to put water in......but the color looks so pale like he used a 50/50 coolant Pre Mix and then added water.....get what I mean? Wouldn't this ratio only give me a 25% coolant ratio? He uses some off brand white bottle of coolant from a nearby no name parts shop.

 

[BajaTaco]

As I said above, there are some green coolants that may be silicate/borate free, extended life, ok for aluminum, etc. so best to check on whatever green you are using or plan to use. The Prestone stuff is probably fine but the website doesn't give any details as to what is in it.

See what Toyota says on the phone and let us know.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

OK.....

I called toyota customer care....see contact info below.

I asked all the right questions. She came back after checking with the technical guys and told me that the only coolant they can recommend is the Toyota Red coolant.

I explained to her that I just looked up in my 1988 Toyota factory service manual and it says to use any good brand of ethyl~glycol coolant.

So she looked up online the Toyota service manual for the 3vz and the 5vz engines at my request.

They both said to use a good quality ethyl glycol based coolant and make NO mention of demanding to only use Toyota long life Red coolant.

So......me thinks even Toyota can't answer this question!


If I switch to Toyota Red......It will be $65 bucks to flush out Mr. Suckys green coolant. Plus two bottles of Toyota red at $18.95 from Poway Toyota (oh!...and it's ON SALE!......LOL) ....because I need just over one bottle to make it 50/50 with my 2 1/2 gallon coolant capacity.

So that's over $100 bucks already!......but I have a new engine!


...now I'm hungry for a Tostada!......that was hard work!



Toyota Customer Care
Phone: 800-331-4331
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PT
Sat, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PT
Fax: 310-468-7814

Or send correspondence to:
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
19001 South Western Ave.
Dept. WC11
Torrance, CA 90501

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Some info from the Wiki!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze_(coolant)

Ethylene glycol solutions became available in 1937 and were marketed as "permanent antifreeze", since their higher boiling points provided advantages for summertime use as well as during cold weather. They are still used today. Ethylene glycol antifreezes are poisonous and should be kept away from any person or animal (children and especially dogs) that might be tempted by its taste. They form calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys and can cause acute renal failure and death. All spills should be cleaned, or else an area in which it may be present should be kept inaccessible to those who might ingest it. Should ingestion of antifreeze occur, ethanol can be administered until proper treatment can be started in order to slow the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde and formic acid which are the substances responsible for methanol's toxicity.

For this reason bittering agent (denatonium benzoate - trade name Bitrex) is usually added to engine coolant to make it taste unpleasant. In the United States, there is legislation before Congress (H.R.2567/S.1110) that would make the use of a bittering agent mandatory.

Propylene glycol, on the other hand, is considerably less toxic and may be labelled as "non-toxic antifreeze". It is used as antifreeze where ethylene glycol would be inappropriate, such as in food-processing systems or in pipes in homes, as well as numerous other settings. It is also used in food, medicines, and cosmetics, often as a binding agent. Propylene glycol is "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA for use in food. However, it should not be thought that propylene glycol based antifreeze is safe for consumption. In the event of accidental exposure emergency medical services should be contacted.

Most commercial antifreeze formulations include corrosion inhibiting compounds, and a colored dye (commonly a green, red or blue fluorescent) to aid in identification. A 1:1 dilution with water is usually used, resulting in a freezing point of approximately -40°F (-40°C). In warmer areas weaker dilutions are used.

Glycol antifreeze solutions should generally be replaced with fresh mixture every two years. Many modern cars now come filled with organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze, which has an extended service life of five years. OAT solutions are not compatible with glycol and, if changing from one type to the other, the cooling system must be thoroughly flushed with clean water. Typically OAT antifreeze contains a red or pink dye to differentiate it from glycol (blue or green).
If ingested, the antidote for antifreeze is usually ethanol or fomepizole.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze_%28engine%29"

 

[david despain]

ok so i dont have a toyota but here is some thoughts on the matter. first off if you are worried about the strenght of the mixture the simple solution is to get a hydrometer and check it. you can pick up a cheap one at any parts house (napa, checker etc) http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1507&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog wow i didnt even realize that it would be so cheap from snap on. ifin it were me id get that one. then its not even a matter of question if you are protected, read the gauge and you know. second point, if mr. sucky recomends you change coolant pretty soon anyway and i take it you live in socal somewhere, so it doesnt matter if its just straight water in there you arent in any real danger of freezing in the next 6 months or so. straight distilled water will cool the engine better anyway than antifreeze and with some water wetter or similar product you would be more than protected from overheating. then in the fall or when ever is convienent flush and drain and fill the system with all new antifreeze in the proper color and ratio as you deem fit. did u get a new rad cap and thermostat with all this new eng work? i think that would be the more important question than the strength of the mixture. also i dont know about the law there but on the prestone jug of antifreeze i have it tells you to obey local laws but if its legal then just to dispose of it in a sanitary sewer ie toliet kitchen sick etc, just not the storm drain. so no need to pay lots of extra $$ to someone just to use their machine. just a few thoughts. in my oipinion as long as u use coolant thats safe for aluminum and DISTILLED WATER and change it every two years or so you will be fine, of course that advice is worth as much as you paid for it. i think baja taco is right on with his "they buy in bulk drums the green stuff" idea. so if you change it to what you want then you will know for sure its fresh, mixed right, the correct type.

 

[Grouseman]

Green

Scenic,

At present changing out my red for green antifreeze. Go on MUD and search threads. Most say there that the red does more harm than the green on the radiators and other parts. ROBBIE AND GUMBY are experts on 80 series Cruisers and they both say Green. You may have a Runner, I would still check out the threads from the experts there.

Gman

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Scenic,

At present changing out my red for green antifreeze. Go on MUD and search threads. Most say there that the red does more harm than the green on the radiators and other parts. ROBBIE AND GUMBY are experts on 80 series Cruisers and they both say Green. You may have a Runner, I would still check out the threads from the experts there.

Gman

Thanks Gman...

Is there any way you can give us a link to the best thread you found about coolant over at Mud? I've been searching but have not found it yet.

Thanks!


OH!....and Thanks David....for your input!


I included a link to some pics of my engine with Downey Headers at the first post.

You can also see my 25mm Sway~A~Way torsion bars........A~Arm welded on support bar........exhaust crossover.

Not sure if I really want to start an SWR truck thread because my truck really isn't all that tricked out. But here are some pics anyway.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

This is not about red or green......

....but!

I was outside this morning checking over my truck....and guess what!?!!

Someone at Mr. Sucky's shop STOLE my license plate registration MONTH Sticker!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have to go stand in line at the DMV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :smilies27 :ar15:
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I think I'm lucky to have my truck back at all!

 

[david despain]

was the sticker red or green? :jump: