What Antifreeze/Coolant do I use? (89 Camry)?

Question

I drive a 89' camry here in california (its hot), and im not sure which type of antifreeze/coolant to buy and what color? i don't have a owner's manual so i don't know.

and do i have to flush out the remaining antifreeze/coolant before putting in more?

thanks in advance

Answer 1

Coolant should be changed or flushed every three years or 30K miles. GREEN= Ethelyn Glycol coolant can become like an acid and eat away your engine and cooling system internally. YELLOW=Dex-Cool has extended life but requires nearly the same preventive. The dealership states that it will last 50K! Toyota original equipment used a PINK coolant (no longer available). IT was Ethelyn Glycol with a different colored dye. RULE of THUMB... If coolant smells like a fish or feels warm on your skin (coolant at room temperature) CHANGE IT! For your model year, GREEN= Ethelyn Glycol coolant was used. Be sure to read the directions!!! It is best to drain as much coolant as you can and then put in fresh coolant 50/50 mix with water. You may need to have it flushed if you see white deposits inside the radiator. Lyme deposits clog the passages and need to be flushed out.
NOTE: >>>>Dex-Cool will not mix with Ethelyn Glycol<<<

Answer 2

you can use the regular green coolant (not orange DEXCOOL). If it's not pre-mixed, add distilled water so that it's between a 50/50 and 70 (coolant) / 30 (distilled water) mixture. A cheap $1-2 tester is available to test the mixture.

If you want the Toyota-recommended coolant (already mixed), you can buy it from the dealer. It will be a different color (and much more expensive).

You can mix Prestone (which is long-life now). However, the long-life properties don't apply if you're mixing with regular. Don't just top off. You need to drain the radiator and replace the coolant every 30,000 miles since you started with regular coolant in it. Even if you switch to a long-life coolant, you should change it every 50,000 to 60,000 miles, as some of the old stuff remains. Don't perform a drain and fill until you learn the whole procedure - you don't want any air bubbles in the engine that will damage it. If the coolant has been regularly replaced, then flushes aren't necessary. If not, then flush before filling.

Answer 3

It originally came with Asian red antifreeze. If you are adding do not mix anything but Asian red antifreeze available from a Toyota dealer although there are "universal" mix with anything coolants available also. If you completely flush the system out you can replace it with old fashioned green. The important thing is not to mix antifreeze types as they are not compatible and the Asian red is NOT compatible with pink Dexcool type. By the way, stay away from Dexcool. The OAT (organic acid technology) component in Dexcool is a plasticizer and softens any plastic components it touches. I've changed so many plastic framed gaskets, plastic fittings and plastic plenums on GMs I can just about do it with my eyes closed and it's all the cause of the coolant.

Answer 4

Most any EG anti-freeze will work for you except 'long life' types like Dex-cool. Brands are personal preference. You should always do a flush and fill at least every two years or 30K miles. Drain radiator and fill with distilled water, start and run car until it's warm(thermostat opens and don't forget to run the heater as well), stop motor, drain radiator(water will be hot so be careful) and fill with water, wait a few minutes for engine to cool off a bit, then start and run until warm again, etc. and repeat until water drains clear. Then add recommended amount of anti-freeze to water. Usually, about 50/50 or 70/30, if you want more boilover protection in hot weather.

You should ask a dealer how much coolant your system holds and this will give you a good basis on how much AF you can add(if your system holds 8 quarts, then you add a gallon of AF and top off with water and you're done). So, if you add a gallon of AF, then add a gallon of water to radiator or as much water as it will hold(remember you'll have plenty of fresh water in the engine block from flushing, so a little more AF than water won't hurt anything.) You may need to burp a line to get trapped air out if any. Go here for more info: http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/coolant_&_radiator_service.htm

Answer 5

Everyone here in England and probably Europe use the old 50% water and 50% glycol(get the cheapest coolant).

If your feeling lazy just top it up, no-one will blink an eyelid but if your up for it go for a complete flush, you have to be careful with trapped air though, the trapped air can damage your car by not cooling enough. Unless your good with cars i recommend a quick top-up 50/50.

Answer 6

If you are going to flush it anyways you can use whatever type you want. I would suggest the regular Green fluid, it is the cheapest, most reliable and will mix with the original fluid.
Some Toyota Coolant is a redish brown colour, but that is the same chemical as regular GREEN coolant. Do no mix LONG_LIFE fluid with your existing coolant. They are not compatible

Answer 7

It doesn't matter, any antifreeze will work fine. Buy the cheapest stuff you can.

If you want you can cut it with a little bit of water since you live in a hot climate. Water actually cools better than antifreeze but too much water will corrode the inside of your cooling system.

Answer 8

once you run an engine without or little oil in it, you reason rubbing metallic on metallic which wears the areas suitable down and places plenty warmth on the area, they swell up and grab. because of the fact that is an 89, it does not pay to rebuild or purchase a rebuilt engine, yet once you should discover a working engine in a junk backyard, you will possibly desire to get it for a value that could make putting it interior the vehicle your self the ultimate ingredient to do.

Answer 9

glycol base coolant, color pink(original coolant.)

buy the already mix formula .because ,the tap water contain chemicals that destroy the glycol.

Answer 10

you can use whatever kind you want.myself i use prestone,its good.