I've quite recently imported my Townace, and not sure how good the antifreeze is. So I thought I would drain the cooling system and refill before winter is upon us.
Is there some sort of tap on the radiator to do this, or is it best to disconnect a hose.
Also, is there any special sort of antifreeze requirements?
Thanks!
Jim - (#1114) Jim Snowden, 21 Sep 01
Theres a tap at the rear of the block, and one at the bottom of each rad. Any antifreeze suitable for alloy heads will do.
Thanks!
Jim - (#1116) David Miller, 21 Sep 01
I recently carried out this task and, David has advised on the drain locations. The main radiator drain (If yours is a 4WD there is another, horizontal, rad under the front of the vehicle) is located about on the centre line of the front wheels, a bit difficult to get at. Ref the type of a/freeze, I learn that there is a new type of antifreeze which is reckoned to be more suitable for aluminium components and lasts longer before degrading. Generally, antifreeze has glycol as one of its constituents, ie MEG types. The new type is known as MPG and contains Trigard. One brand is Comma "Coldstream" - (#1117) John Davis, 22 Sep 01
Anybody (Rob?) used, using or know anything about For Life engine coolent. I assume it's just a ready diluted solution that is the next step from anti-freeze. The main claims are that it does not degrade over time, and reduces engine running temp (anti-freeze does that over plain water), sales hype or what £11.99 for 5 litres from Demon Tweaks.
- (#5752) Clive, 8 Oct 02
Clive, many of the 'antifreezes' that came out a few years ago claimed they were 'for life', Unipart amongst them, they even had stickers on all the British Leyland cars telling you not to drain them as it had Unipart ethylene glycol antifreeze fitted. In my opinion this is a bit silly, whilst it is true that etylene glycol does not evaporate off, like the old methanol antifreeze we all used in the seventies, it still needs changing, More recently the ethylene glycol coolants started recommending it was changed every five years, but more recently the vehicle manufacturers have started to fit a biodegradable coolant in new cars, this is more eco firendly, has better specific heat capacity characteristics & only lasts three years. I would still recommend that you use a 50-50 mix of ethylene glycol coolant & deioniser (distilled) water in your Townie, having first flushed out all the silt & crap. The anti corrosion properties of the coolant coupled with the lack of impurities in the water (no limescale build up etc) will help the Townie's frail cooling system. Back to your question Clive, I haven't used the one from Demon Tweeks, but it all depends if it contains the 'water wetter' type additive to dispurse heat more efficiently, if it doesn't, then I'd get a 5L distilled water @ 5L Coolant from your local Motor Factor, this would give you 10L coolant for around the same money as you say the coolant is from Demon Tweeks. HTH Regards Rob.
- (#5753) Rob Drinkwater, 8 Oct 02
The only way to be sure of your antifreeze is to use a hydrometer which will accurately tell you the Specific Gravity of your coolant. Any good garage should do this as part of your service and will change the antifreeze on a two-year/24,000 mile service anyway.
- (#5754) Dave B, 8 Oct 02
i don't know, last posting ooh thats warm, now it's anti-freeze ;-)
can anyone suggest ideal ratio. i was thinking of going 50/50
what is volume of cooling system. i have no antifreeze left after draining system in summer so was thinking of getting a couple of 5l tubs. will this be enough, too much??
thanks.
- (#5949) eddie arrowsmith, 28 Oct 02
Mix 2 parts water to 1 part anti-freeze for our climate. You will still get good heat conduction at this ratio. I recommend Bluecol. Leave it in during summer
- (#5950) ray ambler, 28 Oct 02
1 x 5L will be sufficient. System holds in the order of 7.5L so diluting to that ratio will give you plenty of spare for top-ups.
- (#5984) Ian Dunse, 29 Oct 02
I got my townie (townies-the bus, as we know it, and a light truck) straight from Japan and my Camry from South Africa, and I have looked in a few corollas from both countries as well. I realize they all got in common this dark redish liquid for cooling... I have shopped around and I can only find green, orange, even blue stuff, I believe name is Havoline or similar, but never the dark redish stuff, which is said to be found only at Toyota Agents!! I also remember seeing a red sticker on the rad caps with the inscriptions "Long Life Coolant, Esso" and a warning to use this coolant only. Does anyone know what is this dark redish stuff and how safe is to use any other coolant, instead? I will be visiting Toyota SA soon, and would appreciate a few clues on this.
Thanks
Manecas
P.S
the word anti-freeze is a bit obscene in this part of the world, where you need all the cooling you can think of. You can only see ice in a freezer (or in my super-extra's cool & hot box, hehehe :>)
- (#5985) Manecas, 29 Oct 02
I believe Rob Drinkwater explained at length the reasons for variations in colour of antifreeze, in a recent post. In your environment you are only interested in the anti-scale and other protective additives to be found in anti-freeze not for the eutectic effect it has on water. It may be best for you to look for a product that gives the additives without suffering the loss of heat transfer that is attributable to anti-freeze mixture. Any local factor help?
- (#5986) Ian Dunse, 29 Oct 02
Your Toyota dealer will sell you red "ForLife" coolant.
- (#5987) david miller, 29 Oct 02