Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

I was trying to flush out the coolant from my Prado yesterday. From reading, the old coolant has to be flushed out completely including the one in heater core and engine.

According to Haynes Manual, the engine coolant drain is located on driver's side. However when I looked at my engine it's different. The bolt is there, but there is no "spout" nor holes. Furthermore the location is so difficult to reach and there is no way I can undo the bolt without removing the power steering pump and AC compressor ...



Am I looking at the right location, or is there any other drain location which I could use?

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

If it's the same as my commodore was you can drain it all from the bottom of the radiator?
Isn't that the usual practice?

Edit: Just read my Haines and it says to drain via both the radiator plug and the one you mention. I still think you should be able to drain it dry through just the one at the bottom of the radiator.
Maybe wait for someone else to reply though

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

The way my mechanic does it, is he disconnects the input for the heater core and shoves an running garden hose into it. The clean water goes through the heater core and then water exits from the hose disconnected from the engine (on to the drive way :shock: ). This is done with the radiator cap off and the engine running.

This should flush the block, heater and the radiator. Although, having cold water continually pumped it might keep the thermostat closed, and stop the rad being flushed properly. So removing the rad drain plug and flushing it separately may be needed.

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Yes the heater core needs to be flushed too. This is not too hard actually as the hoses are clearly visible.

So in short, there are 3 locations that needs to be flushed with water:

1. The Radiator (easiest, just remove plastic at the bottom)

2. The Heater core. Not too hard

3. The engine block.... this is where I'm struggling.

Looking at the difficulties for #3, I'm not sure if I ask the shop to flush it that they would ???


Update: I have checked the Factory Service Manual, and indeed it's the location

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Hi Java,
Have you found a factory service manual for the 90 series? Online? Or did you track down a hard copy somewhere? Would be keen to get one myself but the Toyota dealer says they're not available anymore

BTW, the method I described would flush all three. Water would go through the heater core then into the engine block and back out the disconnected heater hose.

And the rad circulates through the block as it always does.

Cheers,
Declan.

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Hi Declan check out my blog under manual. Not ideal but good enough

[luked Member Find all posts View Profile Close luked]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

3.4 V6 im guessing from your profile pic, the drain plug on the block is on mine? never looks as simple as the pic in the manual, they must remove the engine for the photo. I removed the rubber flap from the inner guardbehind the shock and used a socket and two extensions to poke in there. More than one way to skin a cat with the flushing thing. Just make sure its flushed properly especially if your not sure is you are using the same coolant that is in it, mixing coolant can turn really ugly really quickly

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Thanks Luked.

I had in fact remove the flap, but still looks very hard. Thanks to confirm that it is actually the correct place!

Next, I will try to take the tyre off to seek better access.

[kjs Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kjs]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Ah yes the engine drain plug .... I also had this same problemo , thought the manual was wrong as i couldnt see it either . It IS there my friend ! The spout thingo wasnt there on mine ,just a hole . You need to use 2 extensions and i think (not sure)a 13mm socket or thereabouts ,go in at about 1 - 2 o clock on the drivers side front wheel ..use a good torch to see it first . Hope that helps .

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Thank you!

I wished they had not make it this hard :P

[Auss15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auss15]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Hi Java,
Have you found a factory service manual for the 90 series? Online? Or did you track down a hard copy somewhere? Would be keen to get one myself but the Toyota dealer says they're not available anymore

Cheers,
Declan.

You can pick them up on Ebay easily

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Workshop-Repair- ... 3f08281032

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Hi Java,
Have you found a factory service manual for the 90 series? Online? Or did you track down a hard copy somewhere? Would be keen to get one myself but the Toyota dealer says they're not available anymore

Cheers,
Declan.

You can pick them up on Ebay easily

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Workshop-Repair- ... 3f08281032

Yep. But Max Ellery isn't the the gen Toyota workshop manual.

[Auss15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auss15]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Hi Java,
Have you found a factory service manual for the 90 series? Online? Or did you track down a hard copy somewhere? Would be keen to get one myself but the Toyota dealer says they're not available anymore

Cheers,
Declan.

You can pick them up on Ebay easily

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Workshop-Repair- ... 3f08281032

Yep. But Max Ellery isn't the the gen Toyota workshop manual.

Is that a problem?

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

Is that a problem?

It is if you actually read my previous post. Max Ellery, Haynes and Gregory's manuals have never been a problem to get a hold of.

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: Where is Prado 90 engine coolant drain?

I have bought the Gregory manuals too.. but these types of manuals is nothing compared to factory one.

I wonder where to buy a softcopy of the factory manual.