Confusing coolant flush

I have a 2008 Tacoma PreRunner 4L V6

Did a Coolant Flush at 128,429 miles.

First, flush ever. The coolant came out red with a little debris in the liquid.

Flushed through the petcock valve only. Flush on level ground. Radiator cap off.

Drained original coolant
Ran distilled water through the radiator for 10 min.
Added Blue Devil (blue bottle) and water for 2 days, about 60 miles driven.
Drained
Added new coolant

Question. Looking at every filled jug of flushed liquid. I only pulled 1 gallon of liquid for every flush. I know my vehicle has 8.7 liters of coolant it can hold. Why did I only drain 3.8 liters of fluid each time?

 

If all you drained was the radiator. Then yes, 1 gallon is about all you get per drain.
There a 2 other drains on the block. 1 one each side. If you also drain them, you will get a lot more coolant out.

There reason you only got 1 gallon (3.8L) is because you are only draining the radiator.

 

Would you recommend that or is just a radiator flush enough? The engine is operating at normal temp.

 

It’s always better to get as much out as possible.
That’s what I’d recommend, But……….

That being said, I only did a Radiator Drain and Fill.
Because, my truck had never been touched in 12 years.
I didn’t want to risk having the 2 little drain valves on the block leak. (They probably won’t -But could?)
They look like brass, so didn’t want to risk stripping one, or having it leak.
Plus, one is kind of hard to get to.

In short, it was a combination of not wanting to, and avoiding what “might” happen. I’ll just do a D&R more frequently. Instead of waiting 5 years, I’ll do one every 2 or so.

It sound like you’ve drained the radiator 2x now.
You’re probably at a 50/50 mix of Old and New coolant.
I live in Tennessee, we don’t see extreme cold or hot temperatures (usually).
I’d be ok with that ratio for a few years. It’s your call.
But the right way is to drain it all and add all new. (I choose not too).

It’s your call

 

I have been doing a radiator drain and fill on all of my vehicles over the yrs at the 2 yr. mark. About a gallon each time. My theory is that I’m constantly refreshing the fluid. I’m sure others do the same and others will find fault. But it works for me and I never had and problems and never had to mess with the block drains.

 

Yes, that’s what I’m doing too
If I drain a system any further, it’s usually when replacing a water pump, the radiator or thermostat.

 

I have never had to replace any of those items. ( knock on wood). I’m on my 4th Toyota truck. My last truck was my gen 1, 1998 and I had it for 17 yrs. never a problem with anything except replacing a starter, besides the standard stuff like tires,wipers ect.

 

I googled blue devil radiator additive.. I got "BlueDevil Radiator & Block Sealer is an easy-to-use formula that will repair and seal leaks in radiators and/or engine blocks. ... Permanent repair for radiator and block leaks. Works effectively on plastic, aluminum and/or metal radiators. Contains no solids or fibrous materials."

No way would I want that in my coolant system. Did you have a problem listed above?

Me? I'd flush and use Toyota 50/50 mix.

 

Your good to go. If coolant temperature is good. Nothing to worry about.

 

Like stated there are 2 block drains, passenger and driver. Dont bother with the driver after doing the much easier to get to passenger side, as you will MAYBE get all of 8 oz of fluid, pass will net you quite a bit, and there is always going to be a good chunk in the heater core.

 

Fantastic.

@2wheelintacoma put radiator stop leak in on what was otherwise a great condition truck and now it is all over his cooling system components including the head water jacket passages and head gasket and now he has just created problems where none ever existed.

That stop leak trash should be illegal. The amount of damage it can and usually does leave behind in it's wake is downright insulting.

 

quick google search shows a Blue Devil branded coolant flush product.
https://www.autozone.com/antifreeze...il-radiator-flush-32oz/848324_0_0?spps.s=4819

myself, I use Thermocure
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thermocu...131810444?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0

 

I am probably just being anal about this but your coolant turns acidic once it has reached its service life. Once it turns acidic it eats away at your radiator, heater core and other cooling components. I personally want to get out all I can when I do a flush and refill. I agree with previous poster about using the drain valve to empty the block that is on the passenger side. The one on the driver's side of the block is a pain in the A to get to and yields a very small amount of coolant. I recommend to drain radiator and the passenger side block drain and refill with new coolant. Get out all you can of the old stuff. Don't worry about drivers side engine ok drain though. Once you drain passenger side hardly any comes out on the drivers side