2008 Corolla - Proper Cooling System Drain and Flush?

[NOOBSTEAK]

Hello,

I have seen so many methods people are using on corolla for cooling system drain and flush and am confused. My 2008 is coming up on 100,000 miles and I would like to do the Toyota recommended method to replace the coolant. Does anyone know the Toyota recommended method?


summary of some of the methods i have seen:

drain and fill

drain, replace with distilled water, run for 10 minutes, drain and fill, maybe
repeat 2-3 times

drain and dump 2-3 gallons of distilled water and let it run thru and fill

the old hose method

Chemicals

EDIT: I was going to go ahead and replace the thermostat also

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

I always installed a T to the heater hose, then hooked up a garden hose to it and did it that way.

While you are there, might as well inspect the lower hose and make sure that the spring is still solid.

 

[NOOBSTEAK]

I paid the 15 bucks for the tech website and it says all that should be required is a drain and fill, if it's ugly you do it twice.

At least, that's the instructions for "replace coolant". Also, I read the toyota coolant bottle it said the same thing.

I'm going to go that route, I'll follow up.

thanks

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

Definitely the easiest way, then you don't have to cut into a line ... but it will take a little longer.

 

[LPBinTN]

I believe that Toyota uses a long-life pre-mix. I would drain, refill, drive for a day or so and then drain and refill. This would evacuate hoses, heater, and block. At 100k miles I would seriously consider changing all hoses, thermostat, and water pump.

 

[NOOBSTEAK]

Thanks folks,

I did a drain and fill which, which let out almost exactly one of the jugs of toyota pink premix.

Positing additional details for others that might be searching for this. First, tt doesn't go in all at once, you need to let it circulate. After the drain and fill I researched the technique to get the air out of the system. After it is refilled, start the engine and while it;'s warming up continue to top off the radiator. When the thermostat opens up at 180 degrees, throttle the car up to 2000 rpm for 5 minutes. According to the things I read, that will push the air out and also open up space for additional coolant.

I thought of doing the water pump and thermostat(at 100,000 miles). Also thought about doing a second drain and fill in a couple days. The fluid was very clean, despite being 96,000 miles old. I will do another drain and fill in 25,000 miles.

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

I typically wait on water pumps. Usually they give you a fair warning before they completely fail, so I just wait until I see coolant leaking out of the weep-hole or other warning signs for failure.

However, I would definitely do the thermostat and the lower radiator hose at the minimum, and check the top radiator hose.

 

[NOOBSTEAK]

thank you!

 

[maximatech]

The system takes 6.9 quarts of 50/50 Toyota long life!
Does this include the overflow tank?
What exact temp are the thermostats rated at and how much 50/50 does the engine block hold?

 

[maximatech]

I would drain, refill, drive for a day or so and then drain and refill. This would evacuate hoses, heater, and block.

This is what i did to flush the coolant out of the block and hoses. The block doesn't drain with the radiator so how much is trapped in the end?
It usually runs at 185 degrees but with just holy water it's at A bit over 200 degrees.

 

[jcrool]

PLEASE HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I drained the original coolant on 2008, but only half came out, i filled with water to clean, but still it is not completely drained. water stays internally.
PLEASE HELP HOW TO FILL THE NEW COOLANT WITH 50/50 MIX. The existing water in the system makes the ratio low.

1) IS THERE A WAY TO DRAIN THE ENGINE SIDE COOLANT STORAGE IN ADDITION TO THE DRAIN SCREW UNDER THE RADIATOR.
2) HOW TO SOLVE THE MIXING ISSUE.

 

[FinalGear]

PLEASE HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I drained the original coolant on 2008, but only half came out, i filled with water to clean, but still it is not completely drained. water stays internally.
PLEASE HELP HOW TO FILL THE NEW COOLANT WITH 50/50 MIX. The existing water in the system makes the ratio low.

1) IS THERE A WAY TO DRAIN THE ENGINE SIDE COOLANT STORAGE IN ADDITION TO THE DRAIN SCREW UNDER THE RADIATOR.
2) HOW TO SOLVE THE MIXING ISSUE.

Don't worry about it. I personally don't mess with Coolant ratio mix or additives. You can again, refill your radiator with regular water and run your motor (8-10 min). Keep an eye our your temp gauge. Drain your radiator. What you are after is clean water pour out from your radiator. Next, fill up your radiator, the reservoir, and start your motor.

 

[jcrool]

Ya as you said, I drained the water and bought toyota coolant concentrate and poured almost 1 gallon of the concentrate expecting to mix with the 50/50 %mix. Is this right or this will cause any issue?

 

[FinalGear]

Ya as you said, I drained the water and bought toyota coolant concentrate and poured almost 1 gallon of the concentrate expecting to mix with the 50/50 %mix. Is this right or this will cause any issue?

I would of suggest zerex asian coolant same stuff as Toyota Coolant. You shouldn't have any issue mixing coolant.