to coolant or not to coolant? Options

[Akira_g4]

Alright heres the thing. My coolant is extremely low, and im wondering if i should flush it out or just add more coolant to it. I've had the car for a little more than 7 months and I'm guessing the toyota dealership filled it up right before i bought it. (damn me for not checking the fluids!) Soo i called around and to get the whole thing flushed out would cost around $120-135. And containers of red factory coolant cost around $20. i exactly dont have $120-135 much on me. so i'm not sure what i should do fill it up or get it flushed.

[Coomer]

I'd flush it yourself. It's not hard and it's way cheaper, plus you can learn something new.

[Chanh55]

Here you go... it's not hard at all, save some money.

http://aarc.epnet.com/application/8959/895...__REFIL2.htm#T1

[Akira_g4]

well it doesnt sound too hard to do. what are some like precautions? like things to make sure not to do. im a newbie to cars, and i really dont want to mess up my first car. And how long would this take?

[Chanh55]

This should take an hour or so.

1. Make sure the engine is COLD.
2. Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) is toxic, so keep it away from pets, wash your hands after handling it, etc.
3. Read the directions on the coolant container, sometimes you need to mix it with water.

[Jeremiah]

What's this red fluid I keep hearing about... normal green coolant won't work in celicas?

[Bitter]

What's this red fluid I keep hearing about... normal green coolant won't work in celicas?

theres pretty much green and orange (is there red now too?) orange is called Dexcool and its little different than green. prestone makes some thats green in color that mixes with both orange and green. my coolant is brownish green and needs to be changed. im gonna do it this summer with my thermostat, waterpump, and tbelt.

[Jeremiah]

What's this red fluid I keep hearing about... normal green coolant won't work in celicas?

theres pretty much green and orange (is there red now too?) orange is called Dexcool and its little different than green. prestone makes some thats green in color that mixes with both orange and green. my coolant is brownish green and needs to be changed. im gonna do it this summer with my thermostat, waterpump, and tbelt.

If you read his statement above, he's talking about factor red coolant. I have read it on a couple other posts... maybe it's orange?

Mostly I'm wondering if Toyota engines require a "special" coolant or not. Is green okay?

This post has been edited by Jeremiah: Mar 23, 2006 - 2:44 AM

[yyet]

When I flushed my radiator, the directions that came with my flush said to make the car warm... which is actually really hot. However, overall flushing it is pretty easy. If you can change oil then you can do this no problem. Its just like this little white plastic thing that you twist off. Anyways, some precautions would be to wear some safety glasses. I wore my chem lab ones (which is a good thing cuz it dripped onto it). Don't leave the radiator fluid on you for too long, it will cause chemical burn. Thats pretty much it... Good luck!!!

Yet

[hellsyphon]

What's this red fluid I keep hearing about... normal green coolant won't work in celicas?

theres pretty much green and orange (is there red now too?) orange is called Dexcool and its little different than green. prestone makes some thats green in color that mixes with both orange and green. my coolant is brownish green and needs to be changed. im gonna do it this summer with my thermostat, waterpump, and tbelt.

If you read his statement above, he's talking about factor red coolant. I have read it on a couple other posts... maybe it's orange?

Mostly I'm wondering if Toyota engines require a "special" coolant or not. Is green okay?

Nope just make sure your coolant is safe for aluminum engines.

[LewFX]

forget coolant, use water wetter with water, $7! and cooler than coolant

[Bitter]

forget coolant, use water wetter with water, $7! and cooler than coolant

but it doesnt offer any freeze protection and doesnt raise the boiling point of the water, real race cars use distilled water with HIGH pressure cooling systems (20+psi)

[playr158]

Prestone makes a universal coolant....doesn't matter wat color or type of car you have

"New Prestone® Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is compatible with ANY antifreeze/ coolant – regardless of color – for use in ALL makes and models of cars and light duty trucks. This patented formula provides a high degree of performance durability and carefully balanced protection against temperature extremes and rust corrosion of all cooling system metals, including aluminum."

so grab a bottle of that... dillute with water 50/50 leave a little room for a bottle of water wetter and your set to roll

[LewFX]

i dont think san fran gets THAT COLD, happy

This post has been edited by LewFX: Mar 23, 2006 - 7:07 PM

[playr158]

you mean 32* slick

[Silver94CelicaOw...]

Good info guys.

By the way, Chanh.....you gave that link to an incredibly detailed maintainence manual above. You wouldnt happen to have a similar manual for the 3SGTE, would you?? I'm still amazed at what a good find that is, just wondering if there are any other links you can provide. Thanks.

[Chanh55]

Good info guys.

By the way, Chanh.....you gave that link to an incredibly detailed maintainence manual above. You wouldnt happen to have a similar manual for the 3SGTE, would you?? I'm still amazed at what a good find that is, just wondering if there are any other links you can provide. Thanks.

Yeah I've passed by a lot of manuals looking for info on helping me swap my celica. I got most of these from 6gc posts. Here ya go...

USDM 6g Celicas:
http://aarc.epnet.com/application/8959/895..._THE_SYSTEM.htm

3SGTE/ ST205:
http://gtfour.supras.org.nz/Technical.htm

General Toyota:
http://www.autoshop101.com/ (click on technical articles)

Here's my favorite posted by Lagos couple weeks ago

All Celica Service Manuals Online:
http://www.celicatech.com/imagearchive/bgbonline/bgb.php



This post has been edited by Chanh55: Mar 23, 2006 - 7:51 PM

[Silver94CelicaOw...]

Thanks again Chanh.
.
We should sticky these sites someplace on this site the way the manuals are posted on Celicatech

[lilsteeg]

and dont be drinking cool-aid while doing this, you might mistake the antifreeze for it, and chug it all down, as sad as that would be, it would have to be one of the funniest things that i think would ever happen, but hey its natures way of eliminating the stupid gene