Can you tell me what coolant came originally with my 97 LX450 Lexus? I was low and had to replace the heater valve. I've read so many things about the problems if it is mixed. I don't have the time to do a complete flush right now. I've researched this subject for an hour and you can't believe how many different opinions you get concerning antifreeze. Thanks T
97 lx450 green or red
- Thread starter bigtbasser
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Mine has red and the Toyota dealer specifically went and got some red from from the Lexus dealer when they flushed my radiator recently. So, if they took the effort to go to Lexus because they no longer carried the "red", I am pretty confident you want the red.
I don't know for sure, but I would suspect red. If you're just adding, then you want to match what is in there already. I would really look at doing a flush soon if you don't know what's in there. I think from all the recommendations, it not as much which color you use (between green or red), just pick one, stay consistent, don't mix colors and flush and put in new every couple of years.
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- Thread starter
- #5
I found the manual and it states, "Your coolant must contain ethylene-glycol antifreeze. Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water. No additional additives are necessary." My coolant appears to be green but most guys on the site say red. I guess I'll just make sure it has the ethylene-glycol base. T
Almost all the new coolants have attitives that are allegedly bad for the seals. I have read this on here numerous times and then the tech at Toyota said the same thing when he said they had to go down to Lexus for the real Toyota red fluid, instead of the new pink fluid used on all the newer Toyota's. I wouldn't mess with it and would flush it and put in Toyota red.
True, but the Conventional Green formulas are still readily available. There have been some opposing opinions on here by some pretty highly respected members regarding using red. So although it may sound like the no-brainer choice, that and the $25-$30/gallon price tag..., conventional green is what goes in mine.
So BigT, did you get the clear answer you are looking for? Lol
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- #9
Not really. I would like to stay with conventional green. What makes me concerned is when I saw the pics of the heater valves that were rotted out on both ends. Mine looks like new after 115,000. I'm thinking this is due to the new additives in the extended life coolants. Maybe not. I just bought the flush kit but it looks like I'll have to go to NAPA for the green I'm looking for. Walmart had only extended life. I'll keep reading and get more confused. T
I just had to replace my heater valve a few months back. The DS nipple broke off but the nipples were kind of rotting at the ends too. I don't know if that is coolant related (a red versus green issue) or not. Mine has been on a steady diet of conventional green since I bought it 11 years ago, for whatever that's worth.
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- #11
I just now was able to let the engine cool and suck out a sample. It sure looks like I have red or pink in the system not green like I thought. After reading the sticky about the flush procedure I'm really confused. I've used the Prestone flush and fill kit before in older fords and chevys and it was pretty simple. I really appreciate the extensive write up but this seems like a killer days work. Back to reading on flushing the system. T
