2007RX350o

Hi everyone!
So in a couple of weeks I plan to do a coolant flush for the wife on our 2007 RX 350. I read that it takes Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. However, as I'm planning to flush with distilled water 2-3 times depending on how dirty it is, I'll obviously have distilled water remaining. The plan would be then to fill with the full red concentrate to 1/2 the capacity (4.2 liters), then top off with distilled water to ensure a 50/50 mix.

So my plan would be to buy Pentosin Pentofrost A1 Red 100% concentrate. However, I read another thread that said Toyota Red is for models 2004 or lower, and 2005+ is the PInk 50/50 mix. I thought the Red was simply the full concentrate and when adding the water for the 50/50 mix, it's essentially the Pink Super Long Life Coolant.

Is there an issue with adding the Red concentrate after the flush, as if I have to use the 50/50 pre-mix, then I won't be able to ensure a full 50/50 mix due to the amount of water leftover after the flush.

Also, I'll plan on changing out the upper and lower hoses, thermostat, and radiator cap. Any other tips/suggestions?

nwfsnake

There are block drains as well as the radiator drain valve, so you should be able to get most of the water/flush out and then just fill with the 50/50 Toyota mix.

2007RX350o

Hi nwfsnake -thank you for the response.
My concern is if I cannot unscrew all the drains and I'm left with only being able to loosen the one on the radiator? What then?
Here's my concern... I order the 50/50 pink mix and then find I can only drain from the radiator and after my flushes with distilled water, I'm left a bunch of water in the system and then stuck with 50/50, which would not work well.

So, to be safe, if I can mix the red concentrate with distilled water to be safe for this, then that would be preferable. But I see Pink is recommended for this year vehicle, so I'm confused by the red mixed with distilled water is not recommended. Is it not safe, or bad for the vehicle?

Thank you so much!

nwfsnake

Well, according to some here, I made a pack with the Devil and used the full strength Toyo Red in our 07 with almost 180K miles on it. I dilute it 50/50 with distilled water myself and add it. No adverse affects so far. Still running the original water pump, radiator, hoses, etc... and no signs of leaks. Funny, when you dilute it it looks almost like the pink prepacked stuff! If for some reason you cannot drain all the water out of the block because you cannot open the block drains, I would just add about a quarter gallon of red full strength, and then top off with a normal 50/50 mix. Just me, I know the purists are blowing a gasket right about now... Good luck!

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't worry about the purists blowing a gasket. I have been using Prestone in all of my Lexus cars for about 15 years. It meets all the stated requirements in the manuals and I have never had a problem. So let them blow a gasket for that also.

nwfsnake

Green Coolant! Heresy!! String him up!!!

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

I expected that!

BlackLexRX

There's a bleed valve on top of the engine. Take the cover off and you'll see it over near passenger side. Makes getting air out much easier.

2007RX350o

Thank you so much guys, I really appreciate it the guidance. I'll plan on going with Pentosin Pentofrost A1, then whether I can get all water out or not after flushing it, I'll be set to ensure I get a 50/50 mix.

2007RX350o

Anybody know what the torque spec is for the bolts at the thermostat?

Koolaid54

if you want to pay the extra money for the pink stuff. go a head. but the red concentrate will do just fine. if you choose to use aftermarket use anything that is compatible with ethylene glycol. Typically the green coolant

mylexbaby

It seems you have two related concerns going on at the same time. One is compatibility of different coolants and the other is getting close to the dilution you want.

Yet both are pretty much addressed by how you do the flushing. If you are starting with a 50/50 mix of coolant/water and flush 2-3 times with distilled water as you've indicated, and say that each time you get about 6 of the 8.4 liters out,
after one flush, you have about 14% coolant after refilling with water,
after two, you have about 4% coolant after refilling with water, and
after three, you have about 1.1% coolant after refilling with water.
(and after four, you have about 0.3% coolant after refilling with water)

When you finally refill with 4.2 L of full strength and top off with water, you would have 50% of the full strength mixed in with 1.1% (or less if you flush more) of old coolant and water. You can decide for yourself if that's low enough for you.

BTW, if you get out more than 6 of the 8.4 liters each time, the concentration will drop even more with each flush (and of course drop less if you get less than 6 L out each time). Remember to run the engine briefly with the heater on to improve the flushing of old coolant -- and watch out for hot coolant when doing so.

Good luck!