Help with changing coolant to replace thermostat (1995 Lexus ES300)

[michaelluscher]

Do not use an aftermarket thermostat

OE Toyota or Aisin only

 

[nthach]

OE Toyota or Aisin(made by Tama) T-stat. Toyota red or Zerex/Peak Asian Red. Also, the T-stat housing is the notorious valley plate that loves to leak on the 3MZ-FE, after they switched to pink.

 

[97prizm]

Would do you guys think of this antifreeze?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...ed-50-50/233783910?fulfillmentIntent=In-store

Super Tech OE Red Antifreeze Prediluted 50/50​

Don't use pre diluted antifreeze. You want to make sure that the concentration is correct. I always go with the undiluted antifreeze and add distilled water to bring it up to where it should be.

 

[Gebo]

I’ve thought about it and there is a lot of coolant in the engine block. I’d try and remove the block cocks. 10mm 6 point socket, head lamp, several long extensions and some spray lube and I believe you would be fine.

Make sure you have the heater turned to maximum heat. That way the coolant in the heater can drain out.

Reminder, I tend to go to the extremes at times.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

You may not find the block drains easy to get out. If they are hex then use a 6-pt socket.

I would drain the radiator and then pull the thermostat. If you loose some coolant just rinse with a garden hose.

The torque spec for the 1MZ-FE block drain bolts is 10 ft lbs so I would expect them to come out without a problem. Go for it. I use a piece of clear vinyl tubing on the block drains to avoid a mess. USE THE OEM thermostat.

 

[Donald]

The torque spec for the 1MZ-FE block drain bolts is 10 ft lbs so I would expect them to come out without a problem. Go for it. I use a piece of clear vinyl tubing on the block drains to avoid a mess. USE THE OEM thermostat.

But it's probably brass in a cast iron block.

Most block drains I have come across were NPT. Not sure I have seen torque specs for NPT before.