Coolant Drain and Refill
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 34
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From: Toronto
Coolant Drain and Refill
Iv recently been trying to get into doing my own maintenance, and I have some questions about Coolant!
My 06 IS250 AWD is due for a coolant change. Shes got 256000 KM on her. Iv read on here that some people will fully flush the system, while some will drain and refill. Id like to go the drain and refill route, but cant seem to find any DIY's for this.
Im new to the DIY's but im very interested in doing my own maintenance. So far iv done oil change, changed all the headlight/fog light bulbs, cabin and engine air filters swapped out.
Questions are, is this a complicated DIY to take on, for my relatively inexperienced self? from what iv read it doesnt seem to be if your just draining and refilling, but when your fully flushing you will encounter air bubble problems. True? If i am just draining and refilling, how much coolant will be needed? manual says it holds 10 L, which buying off amazon would be over 100$. That seems like it wouldnt actually save any money rather then going to dealer.
Any tips i can get from you fine folk would be great. Thanks!
My 06 IS250 AWD is due for a coolant change. Shes got 256000 KM on her. Iv read on here that some people will fully flush the system, while some will drain and refill. Id like to go the drain and refill route, but cant seem to find any DIY's for this.
Im new to the DIY's but im very interested in doing my own maintenance. So far iv done oil change, changed all the headlight/fog light bulbs, cabin and engine air filters swapped out.
Questions are, is this a complicated DIY to take on, for my relatively inexperienced self? from what iv read it doesnt seem to be if your just draining and refilling, but when your fully flushing you will encounter air bubble problems. True? If i am just draining and refilling, how much coolant will be needed? manual says it holds 10 L, which buying off amazon would be over 100$. That seems like it wouldnt actually save any money rather then going to dealer.
Any tips i can get from you fine folk would be great. Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
check out this thread for HOAT compatible coolants known to be compatible for Lexus/Toyota. It might save you some $ buying from local vendors. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post8955205
fwiw, i dont see the point in unplugging the block coolant plugs for a "complete" drain. I drain the radiator, fill the system completely with distilled water and run it up to operating temperature and drain again. Then refill with a compatible HOAT coolant. ( i used Zerex Asian formula). Run it up to temperature again and top off the coolant overflow as needed when the system self burps itself of air.
I used a length of 3/16 hose to fit over the nipple of the radiator petcock to neatly drain the old coolant into a bucket. No need to unscrew the petcock valve all the way. Just remove your radiator cap to prevent a vacuum and help speed the draining process.
fwiw, i dont see the point in unplugging the block coolant plugs for a "complete" drain. I drain the radiator, fill the system completely with distilled water and run it up to operating temperature and drain again. Then refill with a compatible HOAT coolant. ( i used Zerex Asian formula). Run it up to temperature again and top off the coolant overflow as needed when the system self burps itself of air.
I used a length of 3/16 hose to fit over the nipple of the radiator petcock to neatly drain the old coolant into a bucket. No need to unscrew the petcock valve all the way. Just remove your radiator cap to prevent a vacuum and help speed the draining process.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
yes, you may have to top off the coolant reservoir a few times. Best time to inspect your reservoir is first thing in the morning. Any air pockets should work themselves out. You can try to force any air pockets to the top by squeezing the rad hoses before they get up to temp too before your first heat cycle with new coolant.
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