LsG86

I apologize for not searching first, I just replaced the thermostat in a friend's 2003 es300, I drained the coolant from the radiator and both engine blocks. I refilled the car with. 2 gallons of Zerex coolant (which I believe is the Toyota Pink coolant) from O'Reillys auto parts store.

My question is, is it safe to leave it in there?

Megafast13

Yepp, here's a write up on it too.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...r-97-01-a.html

LeX2K

Which Zerex did you use? There are 5-6 different ones.

Oro

If you used "Zerex Asian," then you used Toyota Red (not pink). So that's good.

If you used something else, when combined with what's left behind in the system and heater core, you will get precipitate and possible radiator damage.

LsG86

This one, and the fluid was Pink. Bottle says it recommanded for Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai.

LsG86

I used Zerex Asian but the fluid was NOT red, both bottles were PINK.

I run the risk of sounding stupid asking this, but what do you mean by "precipitate"??

I did drain the radiator and both engine docks so atleast 80% of fluid was drained. I did NOT drain/flush the heater core.

Should I still be concerned? If so what should I do?

Oro

What you used is what is generically called "Toyota Red."

It doesn't matter what color the coolant is in the bottle. Hundai makes it blue (same stuff), subaru is green (I think), still the same stuff. The terminology is based on this:

Toyota "Red" = Long Life p-HOAT coolant, used c. 1996 to 2003
Toyota "Pink" = Supper LLm p-HOAT coolant, 2003-present.

Other makers copied Toyota's lead and then put their own color in for no good reason. Zerex Asian is a commercial version of Toyota Red, regardless of what is the dyed color (it varies). The Pentofrost "A" series is the same but concentrated, not pre-diluted like Zerex.

Pink and Red can be mixed. With some other chemistries, they will cause reactions which create solids that then fall out of the coolant fluid ("precipitate") and can clog the radiator or cause corrosion.

You are good. It is the same chemistry as what was left behind in the heater core, and came originally in the car, so no worries at all.

808mcv20l

one of the parts places around me that sells OEM parts at discount prices carries the "AISIN" brand of pre-diluted Red Coolant for Toyotas.

I'm seeing a trend now that a lot of the OEM manufacturers are selling their own equipment directly to shops/Owners.

I tend to buy "Denso" "NGK" "AISIN" "THO" "ISHINO" "STONE" parts when I can find them those are all OEM manufacturers at discounted prices.

LsG86

Thank you for enlighten me!. What a relief. I have used pentofrost A1 before the fluid in it was always red, apparently color does not matter. I might run this Zerex in my 97Ls400, it currently has the pentofrost a1 in it right now.

Oro

I use the Pentofrost A1 myself as I can get it at Napa at a good price, like $26.50 a gallon. The Lexus dealer nearby wants $38/gallon for Red LLC. Once you buy dH20 to mix, cost of the Pentofrost is equivalent to Zerex pre-mix. But I like the concentrate because I can go to 60/40 for added protection. In Texas, I would not worry about the Zerex at 50/50.

LeX2K

RED is $22/jug here from Toyota which is great value it costs more for Zerex and the like.

LsG86

At Toyota of Dallas they have Red LLC for $30.99 and the Pink stuff for $21.99. In the winter I plan to add some non deluted red pentofrost, Texas winters can be freezing.

surgeon0

I get Red from Napa (they have pentofrost and zerex) or Pepboys (OEM brand). Toyota dealers here charge over the top for everything.