2011 Tundra 28,000 mile

Bought my Tundra last year , 2011 model with 28,000 miles. I'm sure the coolant has never been changed. Would the coolant be shot now ,and cause problems like some have seen
with head gaskets going south ? I have added 2,000 more miles as to date. I'm going to change out the old for new in the next week or so. Is there anything I might add to the coolant to
help ensure that problems won't arise ?

 

So you are going with a Flush to ensure all gunk is gone?

If you have access to a test kit - it would be Very interesting to see the PH and % water to coolant ratio - then you would have a real good answer as to whether any damage could have begun.

 

Thank you Sir ! Great idea , Next step to the Auto store via google first to see what I can find. Thanks again, should have thought of that myself,,probably the very reason I didn't ! If I do find the coolant has turned acidic , is there anything I might
add to the coolant as insurance against further damage?

 

Id change all fluids, other than oil most of them are probably from 2011-way too old. Coolant, brake, then do drain and fills for trans, xfer case, diffs.

Id also change plugs and engine air filter and check that cabin air filter. Low miles are nice but it also probably means the truck has not been serviced.

 

Yep. Do every one of those ^^^. You need a baseline.

 

My 2008 is very low miles and I did a simple drain and fill on the radiator in 2023 when it had 6,200 miles. The fluid looked good, but I figured I would get some fresh fluid in there in case the pH had gone down. I believe the drain and fill replaces almost 60% of the fluid which would certainly help the pH if it was low, but cracking open the side engine drain bolts would be the most thorough method. It got another drain and fill at the end of 2024 at 20K miles.

As far as maintenance items on a old, but low mileage truck I did the following:

• Oil of course
• I pushed new brake fluid out to each of the four corners
• Did a drain and fill on the transmission
• Engine and cabin air filters

I plan on replacing the rear diff fluid soon (it is 2WD)
I have not replaced the spark plugs and I don't plan to anytime soon.

 

Looked high and low for a PH testing kit for the coolant. Guess it's gonna be Amazon deal there. The fluid tester said it's good to -45 degrees. Hope that's good news. That was the lowest number on the
tester. Anyway she's headed to my indy for all the fluid changed to be made. Thanks all