Antifreeze/Coolant Help

[matt1887]

I had just bought my LC a couple months ago and noticed the other day my coolant was low. I read you aren't supposed to mix different kinds of coolant right?
So I went and bought 2 gallons of the toyota red concentrate to make 4 gallons of coolant (LC manual says it takes just under 4 gallons)
After reading a little more on draining and replacing the coolant I decided to let my mechanic do it. I had pre mixed one of the gallons of coolant with distilled water. So when I dropped my car off There was 1 unopened gallon of coolant, 2 gallons 50/50 coolant distilled water and 1 gallon of unopened distilled water (to mix with the unopened coolant)
Today I go to pick up my car and my mechanic says that it only took two gallons and that he put 1 gallon of the concentrate and 1 gallon of the 50/50 in making it 75/25 coolant to distilled water. Leaving me with a gallon of 50/50 mixed coolant and a gallon of distilled water.
Im worried about it only being two gallons and also the coolant to distilled water ratio.
I want to avoid spending anymore money so if it won't do any damage I'm fine with it. please help any advice would be appreciated.

-Matt

 

[gaijin]

What kind of coolant was in it before your mechanic added the new coolant?

 

[matt1887]

Im not sure what was in it before. Thats why I decided to start fresh. He apparently drained it and added the new stuff.

 

[Sandroad]

The system in an '04 with front and rear heat takes 16.2 quarts. If your mechanic only put in in 2 gallons, he probably missed one of the 3 drain plugs (one on the radiator and two on the engine). A quick check on a few web sites seems to indicate that too high a concentration is not good and the max ok is around 60-70%. Since you had maybe a couple gallons of old stuff left in there and assuming that was the proper 50-50, you're probably ok on the concentration. However, if your goal was to replace the coolant with fresh, I'd have your mechanic try again. And you are correct, do not mix different types of coolants. And you did the right thing using Toyota coolant.

 

[matt1887]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. It sounds like he didn't drain one of the plugs from what I understand. So there is a gallon of 50/50 red, a gallon of red concentrate and two gallons of of the old mystery green haha.
Ive driven probably 7 or 8 miles since then in the cold with the heater running. So im assuming its all mixed up together. I don't really want to deal with that mechanic anymore. Any advice on what I should do? Will it be ok to leave in or should I have the toyota dealership flush and refill it?
I really don't want to spend anymore money but if this could potentially lead to something major having to be replaced id rather suck it up and nip it in the bud. Thanks

-Matt

 

[hankinid]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. It sounds like he didn't drain one of the plugs from what I understand. So there is a gallon of 50/50 red, a gallon of red concentrate and two gallons of of the old mystery green haha.
Ive driven probably 7 or 8 miles since then in the cold with the heater running. So im assuming its all mixed up together. I don't really want to deal with that mechanic anymore. Any advice on what I should do? Will it be ok to leave in or should I have the toyota dealership flush and refill it?
I really don't want to spend anymore money but if this could potentially lead to something major having to be replaced id rather suck it up and nip it in the bud. Thanks

-Matt

Based on the "old mystery green" still in there, I'd start from scratch. Peace of mind, etc.

Steve

 

[gaijin]

Based on the "old mystery green" still in there, I'd start from scratch. Peace of mind, etc.

Steve

Agreed. If your old anti-freeze was green, then you have to get ALL of what is in there now out and new red Toyota coolant in.

 

[matt1887]

Thanks for all the advice. I took it to the toyota service center and the antifreeze only tested at 25 degrees. So I went ahead and had the whole thing reflushed and filled properly. Ill be taking my car to them from now on. Thanks again.

-Matt