Celica Forums Install Guides and Technical Articles Engine and Transmission Guides Coolant / Antifreeze - How To Replace, Drain, Fill, Inspect

7th Gen Toyota Celica Cooling System Specifications

1ZZ-FE Engine (GT)
Manual Transmission: 5.7L
Automatic Transmission: 5.6L

2ZZ-GE Engine (GTS)
Manual Transmission: 5.9L
Automatic Transmission: 5.8L

Coolant Type:
"TOYOTA Long Life Coolant" (TOYOTA LLC) or equivalent, with ethylene-glycol type coolant for proper corrosion protection of aluminum components

DO NOT USE ALCOHOL TYPE ANTIFREEZE OR PLAIN WATER ALONE

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GENUINE TOYOTA LLC:





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Checking the engine coolant level

Look at the see-through coolant reservoir when the engine is cold. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the "FULL" and "LOW" lines on the reservoir. If the level is low, add ethylene-glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum components.

The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine temperature. However, if the level is on or below the "LOW" line, add coolant. Bring the level up to the "FULL" line.

Always use ethylene-glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum components.

If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing, there may be a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator, hoses, drain cock and water pump.

If you can find no leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap pressure and check for leaks in the cooling system.

CAUTION: To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the coolant reservoir cap or air release valve when the engine is hot.


Coolant Type Selection

Use of improper coolants may damage your engine cooling system. Your coolant must contain ethylene- glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of your engine that contains aluminum components. Use "TOYOTA Long Life Coolant" or equivalent.

In addition to preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the engine, this type of coolant will also prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or additives are neither needed nor recommended.

Read the coolant container for information on freeze protection. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how much to mix with plain water (preferably demineralized water or distilled water).

Toyota recommends to use 50% solution for your Toyota Celica, to provide protection down to about -35C (-31F). When it is extremely cold, to provide protection down to about -50C (-58F), 60% solution is recommended. Do not use more than 70% solution for better coolant performance.

DO NOT USE ALCOHOL TYPE ANTIFREEZE OR PLAIN WATER ALONE

Hi first I would like to thank the community for all the great info that is provided. It has helped a lot.

Second, I was wondering if you could help me identify something

I plan on doing my coolant flush but I can't seem to find the "Engine Drain Plug".

The same information found on this post is also found in my repair manual. There are apparently two plugs that need to be removed in order to do a proper flush. I know where the RAD plug is but I cant find the "Engine Drain Plug". That cartoon picture does not help at all.

Would someone be able to assist me in this matter? Please and thank you very much.

Ok I think I finally found it... at least im confident that i have

It looks similar to the one in the cartoon picture and I was told I could find it below the header and thats where I spotted it... what do you guyz think...

Yes that is correct. I believe an 8mm socket should fit on the valve to open it. It is fairly tight due to corrosion so be gently with it. I have drained mine a few weeks ago.

This post also helped:
https://celicahobby.com/forums/ubbt...the-hell-is-the-petcock-Please-help.html

I am trying to change the coolant. The method that i read in the link below is different than the one described above.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071003132141AA3vyuD

Open the cap. Unplug and remove the cooling fan assembly. Crawl underneath and drain the radiator. The petcock is on the right side of the car, but you may have to remove the splash guards to access it. If the car is an automatic, there are two transmission lines at the bottom of the radiator. Get some pliers and squeeze the spring loaded clamps to get the rubber hoses off the transmission cooler fittings. You will lose a little bit of transmission fluid. Remove the overflow hose where it attaches to the radiator at the filler neck in the center of the radiator where the cap goes on. Take the two brackets off the top of the radiator. Each one has 2 bolts and a rubber bushing in the middle that straddles the radiator. When you have the brackets off, you can lift the radiator out of the core support. Depending on where you got your radiator, you may have to switch your old bushings over to the new radiator. There are two on the bottom that slide down into two holes in your core support. The other two should have stayed attached to the top radiator brackets. Install the radiator the same way you took the old one out. Do not fill the radiator yet. If you do, this is where air gets into the system. Start the car with no coolant in it. Turn the heater on high. It will be blowing cold. Watch the temperature guage on the dash. This car is what they call reverse flow. That means the thermostat is located on the lower radiator hose. The very second the guage starts to go up, start filling the radiator, and I believe that car came with Toyota red coolant, but the composition is the same as the green stuff. They wanted to look different I guess. Fill it with whatever color was already in the system though. You also want to have someone hold the rpms to 2000 rpms when the radiator begins to appear full. You will see it pull down when the rpm's are raised. This is normal, so have them hold it at 2000 rpms, and as you fill it up, and it doesn't pull down anymore, put the cap on BEFORE they release the accelerator. Now you can refill the reservoir if it is low.

Please advice which one is better.
In section(i) connect 2 hoses and clamps - What hoses? i thought every hose is connected when you feel the radiator.

00GTS, the instruction provided in the OP are correct. The page you've linked to is probably not for the 7th Gen Celica.

Your link also talks about removing an entire radiator assembly and replacing it with an aftermarket radiator. There is no need to do any of that when all you want to do is replace/flush the fluid.

I believe that information in your link is unrelated to the this guide's intended audience.