Is there a way to drain the coolant from just the radiator,and not need bleed the cooling system

A bit slow but, nice of the guy to do it.

 

Are you really recommending this as a legitimate way to dispose of used coolant? I recognize engine coolant (and especially the pink stuff) is different from used oil, but come'on.....there are better ways. We should all be a bit more responsible than that.

How do I dispose of antifreeze?
Make sure the antifreeze is in a safe, closable container to prevent spills. Contact local recycling centers and service stations for more information on local disposal. Do NOT pour antifreeze down the drain. Do NOT pour antifreeze outside. The content of your antifreeze, whether it is new or used or mixed with another fluid, is important. Take note of the makeup of your antifreeze when inquiring about local disposal methods.

 

Yup, up here Mr. Lube takes engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, you name it.

Sadly, the area around their waste oil tank is an oily mess, and I've seen them pressure wash the area with detergent, and it all washes into a nearby stream.

 

Nope. The black plastic cover bottom ends right under the rad. But don’t be surprised if that bottom cover is all tore up and ready to fall off. The front end of our car is very very low and will catch every curb so it takes a
Beating.

 

Is this still a good way to drain/fill the coolant/ I need to get mine changed on my 08.

 

Best way is just open the radiator drain petcock and dump the rad. Its a white plastic plug on the drivers side on the bottom of the rad. Its rather hard to see have to fight your way thru the hoses there. Sorry cannot remember the socket size.

Open the top rad cap get a big container under the rad and then open the white plastic drain plug. When it stops dripping Close the drain plug and fill it back up with Toyota LLC.

Your done!

next day after driving it let it cool down and open the rad cap up and see if it needs a little more coolant. I have left the top plastic cover screws off so I can readily check the rad level. The cover is not going anywhere the hood when closed clamps it shut.

Do that drain again in a few months. That will really really help. The alternative is a full engine/chrs drain and that's a real hassle to get all the air out.

Also I would change the water pump belt. If its older than 75,000 miles it should be changed.

 

From the service manual 2008 coolant radiator drain and fill.

 

Inverter coolant drain and fill looks to be a separate procedure.

 

yes there completely separate loops.

 

+1

The method is known as fractioning. You change part of the coolant with new, let it mix, then do it a couple times more. You don't get all of the old stuff out, but eventually you get a "high" percent.

I would do it maybe three times total over a few weeks then not worry about it for 5 years.

While not as complete as totally draining the system or using equipment to flush it all, fractioning is a reasonable means of exchanging coolant while minimizing problems.

The process is similar to what you do on many automatic transmissions. Drain the fluid in the pan. Fill with fresh. Run it a while. Repeat several times.

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