2003 RX300,

I'll be replacing the radiator which has a cracked upper tank. The car has 144,000 miles on it and I'm wondering if there is anything else I should do (or replace) while the radiator is out?

Also, is one brand of coolant as good as another as long as it's made for Asian cars or should I get a specific name brand?

Thanks
Brian

 

Toyota long life coolant is preferred but any brand will do. The important part of drain and refill with another brand is to drain the coolant out of the engine block.

I prefer to buy concentration antifreeze and do my own mixing, 50% antifreeze and 50% distilled water.

 

Replace the thermostat, OEM only.

 

Use Toyota Super Long Life (pink). Replacing the 'stat is a good idea.

 

I appreciate all your input. I'll be ordering the Radiator, Thermostat, and Toyota Coolant today. If anyone thinks of anything else please let me know.

I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season.

Thanks again!
Brian
(Looks like I'll be driving my '93 S-10 for a week or two.)

 

Last year I replaced the radiator on my 2006 lexus and in addition to what others have replaced, I also went w Gates brand upper and lower radiator hoses and a radiator cap....some might say the hoses were not needed, but if you are gonna keep the car for a longer period of time, why not.
Rockauto is a good source for the parts....Stay w Denso for the radiator.
Considering you change coolant every 5 years, I stay w Toyota pink coolant or you could go w Zerex Aisan Red coolant.
If the radiator has foam inserts along the perimeter of the radiator (for better directional air flow), I ended up using foam insulation which is used for hot water copper pipe and sliced it to fit..... and attached it w a high temperature RTV tube ...but this may be overkill....

 

My son and I replaced the Radiator about 2 weeks ago and it took a good bit longer than it should have. (Having my 6 year old grandson "helping" may have a little bit to do with that.) Anyway, we drained the old radiator but not the block. So the next morning, before I put new coolant in, I thought I'd drain everything. The lower block drain was pretty easy to get to but that upper one is a dog. I never could get a wrench to stay on while I turned it and eventually gave up without draining the upper. I know it should have been done when the radiator was out but it wasn't.

I'm not planning on going back and redoing everything but I'm curious as to how you drain the upper block if you don't have to remove the radiator.

 

If you are worried about old coolant mixed w new coolant, for a very few extra bucks (and this is what I did) you could do a radiator drain and refill several times after bringing the car to normal temperature so that a higher percentage of coolant is in the entire system..... if you stop to consider how long the coolant remains in the vehicle.... a few extra bucks and peace of mind may be worth the effort...

 

Just do the next drain and fill in 5 yrs and don't fret about anything. It is just a coolant and antifreeze level is all that really matters. The device to measure safe level was about $2 or even for free some years back.

As long as you got to the low point, I would sleep easy.

Salim

 

Both coolant level AND coolant concentration is important. Read up on the importance of the properties pertaining to corrosion of the collant system and protection of the water pump seals etc.....

 

In general you are right but the discussion here is about this post.
My son and I replaced the Radiator about 2 weeks ago and it took a good bit longer than it should have. (Having my 6 year old grandson "helping" may have a little bit to do with that.) Anyway, we drained the old radiator but not the block. So the next morning, before I put new coolant in, I thought I'd drain everything. The lower block drain was pretty easy to get to but that upper one is a dog. I never could get a wrench to stay on while I turned it and eventually gave up without draining the upper. I know it should have been done when the radiator was out but it wasn't.

I'm not planning on going back and redoing everything but I'm curious as to how you drain the upper block if you don't have to remove the radiator.

Feel free to suggest something else to BMS52.

Salim