85k miles…coolant flush or drain and fill?

About to hit 85k on my taco, coolant looks new but to my knowledge probably never been touched, do I drain and fill or full flush?

 

I’d just take it to one of those BG flush machines and have them change it out.

 

I thought of doing that but just like most topics on tacomaworld half the people say do it the others say it will blow the motor

 

It shouldn’t hurt anything as long it’s a non pressurised machine. If not just drain and fill with the same color of coolant that’s in there now. Just be sure to drain the block as well. It won’t get absolutely everything out, but at those miles I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

 

Oh yea and make sure to fully bleed the system afterward and keep an eye on temps with an OBD gauge to make sure there aren’t any big fluctuations.

 

I don’t mean to correct you but coolant color means nothing. There is no standard in the industry. I’m not sure what the 4cyl uses. My guess is the same as the 6cyl which is OAT, Organic Acid Technology, coolant. Good luck.

 

Get a coolant testing strip. I use the Phoenix Systems strip as its a 2 for 1. Dip it into the radiator to test the coolant and you’ll know the Freeze/Boil point and Acidity level within 30 seconds. Ive noticed that although the Free/Boil level was above 50% life left after 7 years, the acidity level got to 5.5 (replace now) after that same time frame. I’ve changed my coolant using the strips and never had an issue with any radiator corrosion. The color is a poor indicator of life.

 

There is quite a bit of difference between Pink and Red OEM coolant.

 

Yes for the same manufacture. There is no industry standard on the type of coolant corresponding to a particular color.

 

another one of those subjects where everyone has a wide array of opinions...

 

Im not sure about 4 cly, but on the V6 you can drop almost 90% of the coolant from the system very easily. Thats more than enough. Would a full flush get that last 10%? Probably. Worth it? Not imo.

These guys? Looks like a cool product, might have to grab some
https://www.brakebleeder.com/produc...5-pack-foil-wrapped-double-ended-test-strips/

 

I've never... ever... drained coolant or flushed a system. And I've never had any kind of engine failure, ever. (knock on wood, right?)

When I buy a vehicle I have a little tool to check the coolant strength, to make sure it's enough to stay liquid at -25, and I check levels whenever I feel like it. I've also worked in the auto parts industry with certified techs and repair facilities for +thirty years and I intentionally avoided maintenance to see what happened over time... and when I decide to change vehicles they have always been sold running well.

There's four things that kill vehicles in my experience. Abusive driving, rust, accidents, and too much maintenance.

YMMV

 

I appreciate and respect your input so I noticed with our almighty 2.7 the Achilles is the dreaded blown head gasket and based on my research here and tacomaworld is the consensus is usually overheating causes it

carcarenut says to change it out every 5 years or 50k miles and people on here say the coolant is acidic and can eat away at the gasket hence my reasoning for wanting to change it out

 

Yep thats the one. Case in point, my 2020 Highlander is due for a brake bleed as a result of the test. So the internet saying of replacing brake fluid every 3 years seems to be holding true as well

 

I just drain and fill the radiator ever 50K to 100K - that keeps the ratio/mix good and easy peezy - it cost next to nothing compared to having some one do an exchange - I use one of these to burp it.
I'm not going to take time to search but it you want to there are posts that agree.

$31 Lisle 24680 Spill-Free Funnel, Standard Adapters, 11 x 7 x 7"es

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24680-...isle+radiator+air+bleeding,aps,84&sr=8-2&th=1

 

My 2002 Tacoma has 180k on it, and I just realized I can't recall the last time the coolant was changed. Thought I'd do a flush and fill myself. After checking YouTube and finding all different kinds of ways to do it, some more complicated than others, I called the dealership, which told me they no longer do full-bore flushes on advice from Toyota as the pressure--apparently there is some sort of machinery they once used--can do more harm than good. Because I'm not mechanically inclined, I'm now thinking Jiffy Lube, which will do it for $100.

For what it's worth.

 

You might want to look at my post just above yours.

 

Drain the block and radiator, fill with fresh coolant. Don't go anywhere near jiffy lube

 

I agree. If Toyota doesn’t want to do it. No way JiffyLube should be doing it. You aren’t pressuring anything by draining it. Draining would be your best option.

 

Obviously it will be a little different for us taco owners but this is a great tutorial about the ins and outs of doing it yourself in combination (for specific fluid type, drain points….) with the write ups here on TW.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s--5ft5YiHg&pp=ygUWY2hyaXNmaXggY29vbGFudCBmbHVzaA==