How do I replace the coolant for a sealed radiator?

**oscaryu1** · 12-21-2007, 04:27 PM

199(0) Toyota Previa 2.4 RWD Automatic.

Now, how do I replace the coolant? I found the petcock, it's dripping out into a bucket right now... how do I get the coolant back in?

(This is a daily driver, so I need help ASAP)

Kazoon · 12-21-2007, 04:33 PM

Ummmmm should be a cap on your radiator just open it and fill...if there is no cap fill it through the overflow tank.

**oscaryu1** · 12-22-2007, 03:28 AM

^ Did a try. Just drain it with the peckcock, and just pour it into the overflow tank. It drains right into the radiator...

But it kept on burping

All that air...

My overflow tank is unlike others. It has a tube on the bottom to the radiator... thus the tank acts like a cap... Cool

Kazoon · 12-22-2007, 03:41 AM

You need to start your car while filling it to make sure you purge all the air out of the system...when it is at operating temp continue to fill until you reach the line on the overflow tank that says (Full when Hot) or something to that effect.

**oscaryu1** · 12-22-2007, 12:07 PM

I always go over

More the merrier right? I don't overdo it. Just give it some (as I've been told that that tank is... leaky...). Anyways.... I just squeeze the tube on top of the radiator.

*BURPPPP* Usually it does it itself. I don't really start it

**jimmymac** · 12-22-2007, 12:22 PM

guessing the overflow tank is the same as what we would call the expansion tank here. I can't say any of my cars have ever had a cap on the radiator itself, everyone has had an expansion tank.

As said above you should turn the engine on and use that to bleed air out of the system and then keep the coolant at the right level.

imsati · 12-22-2007, 01:52 PM

Pour about a gallon of 50/50 coolant/distilled water into the overflow tank and have it drain down to the radiator.
Start the car.
Turn your Vent controls to Heat, your temp control to Hot, and your Fan control to Full.
Add a 50/50 mix of coolant/distilled water slowly until you reach the 'Full Hot' line.
Let the car run until it reaches normal driving temp, then let it sit for about 5 minutes.
As air escapes, your overflow tank coolant level will drop - add more as necessary.
Cap the overflow tank.
Drive at your convenience. Over the next day or so (but after driving around some), check the overflow tank coolant level again when the engine is COLD (let it sit overnight). Don't open while the engine is hot or you'll be hurt. If the coolant level is a bit low, fill it until it reaches the 'Cold Fill' line. Cap the tank and you're good-to-go.

**oscaryu1** · 12-23-2007, 01:37 AM

I always open while hot (well not THAT hot...). Tis POP then it's fine. Always use a thick cloth though....

I didn't do the HEATER/Heat thing... don't tell me I need another 2 gallons of coolant? I already went through 4 gallons this week...

imsati · 12-23-2007, 02:10 PM

There are other reasons not to open when hot - having boiling coolant strip your flesh is only one of them.

The Heater step is important as coolant flows through your heater core and you need to have volume accounted for.

Some car engines can accommodate up to 7+ gallons.

**oscaryu1** · 12-26-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imsati

There are other reasons not to open when hot - having boiling coolant strip your flesh is only one of them.

The Heater step is important as coolant flows through your heater core and you need to have volume accounted for.

Some car engines can accommodate up to 7+ gallons.

I noticed that this week. I was just doing a lil' check up (COLD)... Then I though... "Hmm, why not check up on the coolant?"... Sooo, I proceeded to open the tank. To my absolute suprise, there was absolutely no coolant

.

However, to my pure luck, 2 gallons of coolant PERFECTLY filled my radiator, as after I put in another 50/50 mixture, no burps came out. Luckily.

Anyways, Imsati, does that mean my 120mi. drive took some coolant and got it into the heater core? Or did it just evaporate?

12-21-2007, 04:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
oscaryu1 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 13 Posts: 10,154	How do I replace the coolant for a sealed radiator? 199(0) Toyota Previa 2.4 RWD Automatic. Now, how do I replace the coolant? I found the petcock, it's dripping out into a bucket right now... how do I get the coolant back in? (This is a daily driver, so I need help ASAP) __________________ Core 2 Duo E2140 1.6GHz @ 3.04GHz GA-P31-DS3L pqi Turbo CL4 DDR2-800 2GB Sapphire HD3850 256MB Sony Writemaster DVD Burner EIDE Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200.9 8MB SATII

12-22-2007, 03:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
oscaryu1 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 13 Posts: 10,154	^ Did a try. Just drain it with the peckcock, and just pour it into the overflow tank. It drains right into the radiator... But it kept on burping All that air... My overflow tank is unlike others. It has a tube on the bottom to the radiator... thus the tank acts like a cap... Cool __________________ Core 2 Duo E2140 1.6GHz @ 3.04GHz GA-P31-DS3L pqi Turbo CL4 DDR2-800 2GB Sapphire HD3850 256MB Sony Writemaster DVD Burner EIDE Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200.9 8MB SATII

12-22-2007, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
oscaryu1 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 13 Posts: 10,154	I always go over More the merrier right? I don't overdo it. Just give it some (as I've been told that that tank is... leaky...). Anyways.... I just squeeze the tube on top of the radiator. BURPPPP Usually it does it itself. I don't really start it __________________ Core 2 Duo E2140 1.6GHz @ 3.04GHz GA-P31-DS3L pqi Turbo CL4 DDR2-800 2GB Sapphire HD3850 256MB Sony Writemaster DVD Burner EIDE Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200.9 8MB SATII

12-22-2007, 12:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
jimmymac Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chester, UK Age: 28 Posts: 3,710	guessing the overflow tank is the same as what we would call the expansion tank here. I can't say any of my cars have ever had a cap on the radiator itself, everyone has had an expansion tank. As said above you should turn the engine on and use that to bleed air out of the system and then keep the coolant at the right level. __________________ I tried to put my signature in here but my pen ruined the monitor. http://www.peytonmusic.com/ http://forum.peytonmusic.com/ the most uplifting soulful music you will ever hear...

12-22-2007, 01:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
imsati Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: EHT, NJ Posts: 2,644	Pour about a gallon of 50/50 coolant/distilled water into the overflow tank and have it drain down to the radiator. Start the car. Turn your Vent controls to Heat, your temp control to Hot, and your Fan control to Full. Add a 50/50 mix of coolant/distilled water slowly until you reach the 'Full Hot' line. Let the car run until it reaches normal driving temp, then let it sit for about 5 minutes. As air escapes, your overflow tank coolant level will drop - add more as necessary. Cap the overflow tank. Drive at your convenience. Over the next day or so (but after driving around some), check the overflow tank coolant level again when the engine is COLD (let it sit overnight). Don't open while the engine is hot or you'll be hurt. If the coolant level is a bit low, fill it until it reaches the 'Cold Fill' line. Cap the tank and you're good-to-go. __________________ --Jay Gigabyte EP31-DS3L \| E4500 \| Masscool HSF paired with AS-5 80 GB SATA2 x 2 \| e-GeForce 7100 GS \| CM Elite 330 (gorgeous!) Triple Boot: Ubuntu 7.10/XP Home/Kubuntu 7.10 You do realize that everytime PC eye Posts, God kicks a puppy, and every time someone takes his advice, He smothers a kitten in front of a child, right? http://www.computerforum.com/114761-...tml#post922619

12-21-2007, 04:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kazoon Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 270	Ummmmm should be a cap on your radiator just open it and fill...if there is no cap fill it through the overflow tank.

12-22-2007, 03:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kazoon Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 270	You need to start your car while filling it to make sure you purge all the air out of the system...when it is at operating temp continue to fill until you reach the line on the overflow tank that says (Full when Hot) or something to that effect.

12-23-2007, 01:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
oscaryu1 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 13 Posts: 10,154	I always open while hot (well not THAT hot...). Tis POP then it's fine. Always use a thick cloth though.... I didn't do the HEATER/Heat thing... don't tell me I need another 2 gallons of coolant? I already went through 4 gallons this week... __________________ Core 2 Duo E2140 1.6GHz @ 3.04GHz GA-P31-DS3L pqi Turbo CL4 DDR2-800 2GB Sapphire HD3850 256MB Sony Writemaster DVD Burner EIDE Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200.9 8MB SATII

12-23-2007, 02:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
imsati Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: EHT, NJ Posts: 2,644	There are other reasons not to open when hot - having boiling coolant strip your flesh is only one of them. The Heater step is important as coolant flows through your heater core and you need to have volume accounted for. Some car engines can accommodate up to 7+ gallons. __________________ --Jay Gigabyte EP31-DS3L \| E4500 \| Masscool HSF paired with AS-5 80 GB SATA2 x 2 \| e-GeForce 7100 GS \| CM Elite 330 (gorgeous!) Triple Boot: Ubuntu 7.10/XP Home/Kubuntu 7.10 You do realize that everytime PC eye Posts, God kicks a puppy, and every time someone takes his advice, He smothers a kitten in front of a child, right? http://www.computerforum.com/114761-...tml#post922619

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