Notices
Maintenance Discuss common Lexus maintenance questions here.

Red Coolant Question

Old Dec 18, 2006 | 08:08 PM
  #1  
CO-LS400's Avatar
CO-LS400
Thread Starter
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: CO
Default Red Coolant Question

I need to add a little coolant to my LS400, I leaked a little when I removed the hose to change my serpentine belt.

I went to Pep Boys and all they had was the "Green" prestone antifreeze.
What is the name of this "Red" Coolant and who carries besides the Lexus dealer?? What company makes it and who sells it?

Thanks!!
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2006 | 02:34 PM
  #2  
Max707's Avatar
Max707
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 42
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by CO-LS400
I need to add a little coolant to my LS400, I leaked a little when I removed the hose to change my serpentine belt.

I went to Pep Boys and all they had was the "Green" prestone antifreeze.
What is the name of this "Red" Coolant and who carries besides the Lexus dealer?? What company makes it and who sells it?

Thanks!!
You can get it from the Toyota Dealer or Lexus. I wouldn't put anything else in or you could have a problem.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2006 | 05:33 AM
  #3  
CdeFabio's Avatar
CdeFabio
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 660
Likes: 5
From: Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by Max707
You can get it from the Toyota Dealer or Lexus. I wouldn't put anything else in or you could have a problem.
I agree with Max707, stick with the red Lexus coolent.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2006 | 06:44 AM
  #4  
Lexmex's Avatar
Lexmex
CL Community Team
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 204
From: Miami, Florida
Default

Don't touch that green stuff. If it it gets mixed in with the red you can get literally get something that looks like jello.

If you need a good cooling additive to go with the Toyota Red Coolant (same as Lexus stuff) try a bottle of Redline WaterWetter.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2006 | 07:39 AM
  #5  
clubfoot's Avatar
clubfoot
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 3
From: Ontario
Default

Only use Toyota engine anti freeze! And the water wetter stuff works really well especially if your running a water to air intercooler
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 12:40 AM
  #6  
nthach's Avatar
nthach
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 6
From: California
Default

NEVER, EVER use Dex-Cool based "universal" coolants like Prestone in a Toyota or Lexus product - they belong only in GM and VW products. Dex-Cool and its clones use a chemical called 2-EHA that can soften and weaken plastics and polymers used in cooling systems - no wonder why GM and VW are having coolant issues.
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 04:50 AM
  #7  
Lexmex's Avatar
Lexmex
CL Community Team
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 204
From: Miami, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by nthach
NEVER, EVER use Dex-Cool based "universal" coolants like Prestone in a Toyota or Lexus product - they belong only in GM and VW products. Dex-Cool and its clones use a chemical called 2-EHA that can soften and weaken plastics and polymers used in cooling systems - no wonder why GM and VW are having coolant issues.
My cousin actually uses the Toyota Red in his Golf VR6, since he had prior issues as you described.
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 02:21 PM
  #8  
CO-LS400's Avatar
CO-LS400
Thread Starter
Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: CO
Default

Thanks a million fella's --
I'll be stopping by the dealer next week!
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2006 | 08:30 AM
  #9  
mitsuguy's Avatar
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 27
From: AZ
Default

You can also change over entirely to good ol' green fluid...

it will not cause harm to your cooling system, and will not cause any issues...

I use 25% green coolant / 75% dist water, and a bottle of water wetter...

I might be convinced to change if someone could find some hardcore reasoning why, but I just read a maintenance handbook that dispelled all the "myths" between the different colors... basically it said if you have a GM, use dexcool only while under warranty, and to change it to green as soon as you hit the warranty exp mark because of the softening properties... toyota red and dexcool both are more environmentally safe than green, but other than that, not a lot of protection differences....
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2006 | 02:07 PM
  #10  
Max707's Avatar
Max707
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 42
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by mitsuguy
You can also change over entirely to good ol' green fluid...

it will not cause harm to your cooling system, and will not cause any issues...

I use 25% green coolant / 75% dist water, and a bottle of water wetter...

I might be convinced to change if someone could find some hardcore reasoning why, but I just read a maintenance handbook that dispelled all the "myths" between the different colors... basically it said if you have a GM, use dexcool only while under warranty, and to change it to green as soon as you hit the warranty exp mark because of the softening properties... toyota red and dexcool both are more environmentally safe than green, but other than that, not a lot of protection differences....

Cody, I went to the Pink extended interval stuff that is used in the 2004 and newer LC/LX's when I had the timing belt and water pump changed on my 99 Landcruiser. I think the problem is not getting out all the old antifreeze and then having some kind of mix going. When I was looking at antifreeze for my 99 it gets really confusing. For my 2004 I will always use the Lexus extended
interval pink antifreeze.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2006 | 02:12 PM
  #11  
mitsuguy's Avatar
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 27
From: AZ
Default

Originally Posted by Max707
I think the problem is not getting out all the old antifreeze and then having some kind of mix going. When I was looking at antifreeze for my 99 it gets really confusing. For my 2004 I will always use the Lexus extended
interval pink antifreeze.
Definitely low maintenance there...

I agree though... whenever changing radiator fluid, and even when not, but at its scheduled intervals, a proper radiator flush is imperative in terms of maintenance... I see sooo many blown radiators, water pumps, hoses, etc. and I attribute a lot of it to lack of maintenance... Antifreeze breaks down over time just like oil does...
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2006 | 02:58 PM
  #12  
clubfoot's Avatar
clubfoot
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 3
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by mitsuguy
You can also change over entirely to good ol' green fluid...

it will not cause harm to your cooling system, and will not cause any issues...

I use 25% green coolant / 75% dist water, and a bottle of water wetter...

I might be convinced to change if someone could find some hardcore reasoning why, but I just read a maintenance handbook that dispelled all the "myths" between the different colors... basically it said if you have a GM, use dexcool only while under warranty, and to change it to green as soon as you hit the warranty exp mark because of the softening properties... toyota red and dexcool both are more environmentally safe than green, but other than that, not a lot of protection differences....
I read somewhere that Toyota rad fluid is chemically different from the universal green stuff, something to do with the materials Toyota uses in it's engines. After all is said and done it's a personal choice.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2006 | 03:15 PM
  #13  
mitsuguy's Avatar
mitsuguy
Maintenance Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 27
From: AZ
Default

Originally Posted by clubfoot
I read somewhere that Toyota rad fluid is chemically different from the universal green stuff, something to do with the materials Toyota uses in it's engines. After all is said and done it's a personal choice.
it is very chemically different... it is less or even non-toxic, whereas green is very toxic... they both do the same thing though...
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2006 | 02:12 PM
  #14  
clubfoot's Avatar
clubfoot
Advanced
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 3
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by mitsuguy
it is very chemically different... it is less or even non-toxic, whereas green is very toxic... they both do the same thing though...
Agreed they accomplish the same task,...but I meant how the interact with the metals and non metals in an engine.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SynicalVip
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
16
Jan 3, 2013 11:02 PM
voleduy
IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005)
29
Sep 12, 2010 09:05 PM
Pescao
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
15
Dec 24, 2009 01:06 PM
lexus114
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
1
Nov 4, 2009 12:46 PM
btanchors
Maintenance
2
Jun 16, 2005 03:16 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:54 PM.