My first time doing “maintenance” on a 4 Runner (97)?
Bare with me -not used to doing this stuff myself! SO..I bought a Chilton book to help. (don't laugh!) : ) OK checked the oil -I am cool. Need to fill the "coolant tank" however. My ? is...the book says to add equal amounts of "ethylene-glycol anti-freeze" and "distilled water" -Now I have seen many many people just filling up their cars/trucks with regular old water!!
Do I really need to do this? I am not exposed to any "severe" temps -sometimes a little warm in the summer, but I live on the west coast -at the coast.
Also....I finally found where to stick in a new air filter, thinking that may be a good idea, because we have had over a month of raining ash here from a large fire. Pulled out the old one, and it really didn't look so bad. I was shocked, because the whole engine compartment is filled with ash! Replace, or no?
Should I steam clean the engine now that it seems the fire has moved in a new direction?
THANKS for any help!!!!!!!!
OK "Turbo..." Your asking a bit much of me there! : ) Holy Cow!!! I am still on chapter one of the book!
I did find the pre-mixed coolant at the parts store. Think I am going to forget the steam clean -sounds like I could really screw something up there!
Besides, as a neighbor pointed out, the stuff (ash) is still all over the streets etc. Will put that one on hold. But will change the air filter!
Thanks for all your help!!!!everyone!
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Tags: air filter, ash, cars, chilton book, coolant, coolant tank, distilled water, engine compartment, ethylene glycol, holy cow, laugh, neighbor, new direction, old water, steam, trucks, west coast
February 9th, 2010 at 2:14 am
I always like people who likes working on their own car. To your question. You said need to fill the coolant tank. Why don’t you just flush you whole cooling system. Change the radiator hoses and thermostat. Because if you have "new" mix of coolant in the tank and old one in the main cooling system, it’s not going to make any difference. Your question about distilled water. Distilled water has a higher boiling temp. because it has no "contaminants." If you want to steam clean your motor, go to one of those coin-op car wash and bring some plastic bags to cover the distributor cap and alternator. Bring a can of Gunk or Simple Green to help degrease the motor.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:14 am
Change the air filter, it can’t hurt.
Coolant….you can buy pre-mixed 50/50 coolant at Walmart or any auto parts store. You can add water from the hose, but coolant mix is better.
Steam cleaning the engine can be dangerous to the vehicle’s computer system. You must cover the intake and ALL electrical components. Be careful and GOOD LUCK
February 9th, 2010 at 2:14 am
if you clean the engine warm up the engine and cover the distributor cap and any other electrical components and wait till it is dry before starting.also buy a can of wire dryer.