Engine Coolant

[flashlight]

Hey when should my coolant be changed? And is it okay for it to be like a dark brown in color or should it be more towards the lite green when it first gets put in? Is it still okay at this color or is there a specified time when it should be changed? Thanks.

[davemac2]

Toyota long life coolant is red, so that is the color it should be. A Brown color could indicate a mix of some oil in there. Never-the-less, I would change it now if you don't have any records. What is the year/model of your camry?

dave mc

[flashlight]

I have a 1991 toyota camry 4 door sedan with a V6 engine. And I was talking about the antifreeze (coolant) which is actually green when you get it.

[xfeejayx]

Originally Posted by davemac2

Toyota long life coolant is red so that is the color it should be.

like he said Toyota long life COOLANT (or antifreeze) is red. That is what should be put in your car. If that's not what's in there, that's what you should put in there.

Originally Posted by davemac2

A Brown color could indicate a mix of some oil in there

If you have a bad (head) gasket, oil would go into your coolant and make it brown. Coolant would go into your oil and hinder its performance. Do you see little brown spots in your coolant reservoir? Does your car constantly smoke?

Originally Posted by davemac2

Never-the-less, I would change it now if you don't have any records.
dave mc

Agreed.

Regardless of what brand or color the coolant was when it was new, it sure shouldn't be brown. It is possible that the brown is not due to oil, but is just (really really) old. Replace it before you start plugging the radiator, or boiling or rusting...Toyota long life coolant seems to be the way to go, but you probably won't really be worse off with good green stuff. Remember, 1/2 DEIONIZED water, 1/2 coolant. Don't just stick water from a garden hose in there, you're asking for trouble.

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by xfeejayx

like he said Toyota long life COOLANT (or antifreeze) is red. That is what should be put in your car. If that's not what's in there, that's what you should put in there.



If you have a bad (head) gasket, oil would go into your coolant and make it brown. Coolant would go into your oil and hinder its performance. Do you see little brown spots in your coolant reservoir? Does your car constantly smoke?



Agreed.

Regardless of what brand or color the coolant was when it was new, it sure shouldn't be brown. It is possible that the brown is not due to oil, but is just (really really) old. Replace it before you start plugging the radiator, or boiling or rusting...Toyota long life coolant seems to be the way to go, but you probably won't really be worse off with good green stuff. Remember, 1/2 DEIONIZED water, 1/2 coolant. Don't just stick water from a garden hose in there, you're asking for trouble.

With all due respect, do NOT use deionized water because it is extremely corrosive. Use distilled water which can be purchased from the store or use water collected from your dehumidifier.

Toyota Factory Red should be changed every 24 months or 30k miles.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by xfeejayx

like he said Toyota long life COOLANT (or antifreeze) is red. That is what should be put in your car. If that's not what's in there, that's what you should put in there.

Any color of ethylene glycol antifreeze should work in a 1991 Camry. I always use the green colored coolant in my 89 Camry.

JOET/CAMRY