Radiator Flush

Hi Phil, reply to "Troopyman below" Has always had genuine coolant but read up on some issues last night common with the V6 prado water pump. Thankyou Regards Steve M

or $900 for that matter

Redbakk, $90 was never the issue. The question was does any one else have it done professionally. In other words do I need to, or will just a normal flush do then add required coolant back into the system again and not upset anything that is all working fine. Its just that its up for a coolant change so thought maybe with klms on it and knowing it has never been out is a pull apart flush,tanks off etc required. No current leaks anywhere etc Regards Steve

Goodday Steve,
Guess if you are planning a desert trip it would be good preventative maintance, but if only doing shorter local trips I would leave it unless getting hot.
Cheers Pete

Hi Pete, na definately no desert trips planned,way to busy for the next year or two. (things in the pipeline). No issues with getting hot etc all running spot on (except a stupid annoying noise every now and then) Just doing the scheduled coolant change and just thought maybe it needs to come out but think I will leave for now and just do as mentioned below with a reverse flush through the heater hoses (heater tap open of course). Might pull the fan shroud back thou and give a good flush back towards the grill to remove any crap that could be there cought up in the cooling fins (nothing visible) Regards Steve M

Steve...do it all anyway....with summer almost here it will give you peace of mind....nothing worse than getting stuck...particularly if the wife and kids are with you on a hot day.

Redbakk, reply to Troopyman below "follow up".Thanks again Regards Steve M

Hi Rob, its clean inside and it has always had the genuine coolant added at the required intervals, The mud Im referring too is from the outside (playing in the mud). Fom what I can see obviously without dropping the coolant the overflow bottle it spotless inside and when I checked the radiator all looked nice and clean. Think I will just do a normal flush. Regards Steve M

Yes....this is the way to do it....mine is booked in at toyota next week for all the above and it will come with a 2 year waranty.

And yes I use demin water.

So Dunaruna, Redbakk, I take it demin water should be used instead of tap water ?? Better for it ?? I can get this when ever I want from work so when all is changed and cleaned I should refill with this. Regards Steve M

Yes, demin water should be used but the reality is that most people use plain old tap water (me included).

Hi there rags, refer to reply to Troopyman below. Thankyou Regards Steve M

Russell, just thout Id ask (forgot to in reply above), have you had the water pump replaced yet ?? I read a bit on the V6 prado motors last night and seems common for the water pump to go with around the klms mine has on it ?? Regards Steve M

Hi Krakka, reply to "Troopyman" below. Thanks for the reply. I am doing the lot, pump,belts, and pulling tank out to get checked/cleaned etc. Regards Steve M

direct link

Very good link there Troopy, I have ordered the parts today. I decided to replace pump and belt + drive belts and a couple of the tensioners at the same time. Belt is due at 200k but have also heard that the V6 water pumps have a habit of going and seems to be around the same klms mine has on it now. So will pull the radiator out get it checked and serviced whilst that is been done my mate (Toyota mechanic) will do the other stuff. Seems a common comment about the tanks possibly splitting/cracking and wife will be using it more soon as we will need the room so yes piece of mind for me and her as far as the cooling system goes. And she looooooves using aircon + will probably be running the rear air more as well so that will put more strain on everything in the extreme heat that they say we are going to get this year. thanks again. Regards Steve M