Coolant Drain

What happens if I do not drain the coolant in the radiator before adding in new different color coolant? (Been adding in only water for last 4 months. Before that I filled radiator up with green coolant. I now have red coolant) (what I was supposed to have at first)

 

Coolant is coolant, your supposed to have red toyota coolant or the Zerex red one for asian vehicles. But my 96 tacoma has been running autozone green stuff for 300,000 miles.

 

So I do not need to drain anything. Thank you

 

if you've been running water I would rain all that out drain your block and just start fresh. just my personal preference.

 

I would at least get hydrometer to make sure your mixture is right. After that it's up to you if you want to start doing regular drain and fills to make sure you have fresh coolant and distilled water.

 

What do you mean when you say "mixture is right"??

 

50/50 usually

Distilled water/antifreeze

 

Oh ok, I know what you are talking about now. What if I buy coolant that says it doesn't need distilled water to be added in?
The green coolant i used prior did need extra water added but this new red coolant does not

 

Some coolant comes pre-mixed. You said you were just adding water for the past four months. Depending on how much water you have been adding, your mixture could be way off. Just adding premixed coolant isn't going to make it right. Not unless you drain a lot out first.

 

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, gotcha. OK, thank you for this.

 

Why have you been adding water? Do you have a leak somewhere?

Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to mix colors together, especially orange/dex-cool. Napa and I’m sure others, sell a coolant that says “mix with any color” or something like that. When I had my TB/WP, that’s what I filled it with. When my radiator went out, again, I used the Napa mix with any color stuff. No issues to date.

 

I'm not sure if I have the original radiator @ 220,000 mile and was going to replace it, what radiator did you use that you already have to replace it.

I'm @ 220,000 miles and I think its the original radiator so Im going to replace it. What brand of radiator did you buy that it already needs replacing?

 

Was going through a broke couple weeks and did not have moneg for red coolant. Had to use water and a close friend of mine gave me free green coolant. I had no other choice. Engine light never came on. Put water in every Friday of the week. No problems at all. Today, the coolant was extreme low (only put in one full bottle) and i forgot to add water because i have a work truck as well as this that I drive. Big mistake. Engine light is on but before that I could heard something *clanking* not loud and about 3-5 times in the span of 5 minutes then it stopped. Did a full flush and re-fill with red peak 50/50 no water needed. Will need to get 2 more bottles tomorrow though to top radiator off.

 

I'm at 165,234 overall. Original 2001 everything. Some parts are just now starting to show signs of wear and tear. Radiator is IMMACULATE in ny opinion. Grandpa blessed me by taking care of it of course.

 

I used a NAPA radiator. My radiator developed a small crack and the top drivers mounting bolt because the PO used a bolt that was too long and it touched the radiator thus causing a leak.

I would have went with a Denso off Amazon but I didn’t want to wait two days for it and my friend owns a Napa store near so he sold it to me at cost. It’s been working great.

Where is your leak coming from? You can get the check engine light checked at auto parts stores for free to see what the code is for. I’d get it checked sooner than later so there isn’t permanent damage.

 

MIne looks in pretty good condition too even @ 220k, we had a member on here (Professional Hand Model) that changed his out every timing belt change or sooner for regular maintenance. Lol I belive he might have been on his 3rd radiator.

 

Just now getting back to this. Ordered a new FB297 (Frostbite) radiator on Christmas. Got new continental water pump/timing belt kit. (1st choice sold out) New fan clutch, thermostat and hoses. Will update with pictures once I put everything on. Started a new thread and other members suggested this radiator had been replaced and I did not know. Probably right. Either way, full replacement of suspension, brake system and interior in the works. Aiming for beginning of summer Finish date while also Resurrecting a CB7 Honda Acoord 91. (WWIT)

 

The key point, is that even draining everything you can via the drain plug, a significant amount of coolant (or whatever you where using as coolant) is left behind inside the engine.

I still would like to know why you where adding water...or anything else. Normally you only lose a tiny amount of coolant through normal driving...we are talking a cup or two a year. If you had to routinely add anything during a four month period, you have a leak somewhere.

 

Major leak at the lower right corner of current radiator. I'm talking about a full radiator leaks to 1/4 full in 30 days. (75-87 outside degree temp)

 

That would do it