What coolant funnel?

[SC Maintenance]

Honestly I searched thinking this thread would already exist but couldn't fine it.

I have never owned a coolant funnel but it seems I will need on for my 2019 Rav4 - A25A dynamic force engine.

Is the Lisle funnel the way to go? Or is there something better. I likely won't use it often - I need no such funnel for my Nissan's although who knows what I will buy next. https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/spill-free-funnel-606

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

LOL me I'd get the under $5 funnel.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rhinogea...Black/20440554?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

 

[SC Maintenance]

LOL me I'd get the under $5 funnel.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rhinogea...Black/20440554?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

It needs to be the type you can overfill above the rad opening. The rad on my car is not the high point, and there is a procedure for refill that the coolant needs to be sucked back into the rad without air.

I do have some of those walmart funnels. They do work good for other things.

 

[Kira]

Or is there something better.

The vacuum-fill setup (which is aid to be perfect)?

 

[SC Maintenance]

The vacuum-fill setup (which is aid to be perfect)?

I saw those - I am not completely sure they would work with the Toyota electric water pump? The process is you engage all systems open (electric water pump, electric heating valve) which you can either do with a OBD tool or holding the engine at above 1200RPM with everything off and in park - apparently puts it into some sort of service mode.

Possibly a vacuum tool would work but I don't want to be the beta tester.

 

[Nukeman7]

I saw those - I am not completely sure they would work with the Toyota electric water pump? The process is you engage all systems open (electric water pump, electric heating valve) which you can either do with a OBD tool or holding the engine at above 1200RPM with everything off and in park - apparently puts it into some sort of service mode.

Possibly a vacuum tool would work but I don't want to be the beta tester.

Strong endorsement from me for the Lisle 24680 funnel with the multicolor adapters. I have the Lisle 24680 funnel and the red adapter w/ medium metal cap ring fits my Frontier (VQ40) and Xterra (VG33) perfectly with zero leakage. The green adapter w/ small metal cap ring fits Hondas and many Toyotas.

I also have a Robinair vacuum filler and it never does a 100% job refilling the cooling system. Always seems to leave ~10% unfilled capacity (on many vehicles) when the vacuum is depleted. I end up using the Lisle funnel to complete the job.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I have the Lisle one at work as a Toyota tech. The other guys in the shop all have the same one too. That’s the one I’d recommend it works for every Toyota.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The Lisle coolant funnel is awesome

It pays for itself the first time you use it.

 

[TnT_M]

I bought this one off Amazon. Works good!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R9ZSGZZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

 

[Hall]

The Lisle has many copies/clones, including Harbor Freight. I did buy one on Amazon made by "EPAuto" though I haven't used it (yet).

 

[xspeedy]

Used this for my S2000. There are several different ones that are similar. Just price shop.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I40ZQWE?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

 

[Hirev]

I have EPAuto version off amazon I've only used it two times but it seems to work ok, it helps from what I can tell. As when working on most vehicle coolant systems it always helps to jack the front end up. I have an older scion tc that the front end need to be jacked up a bunch to get all the air pockets out.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Also, when you're done, squeeze the upper radiator hose to push a little coolant back into the funnel. Put the funnel plug in, then remove the funnel. Minimal spillage.

 

[PKFan]

Another vote for the Lisle. When I bought mine, I tried to use it on our Sienna, but no fittings would seal well enough and I contacted Lisle. I received a hand-written note from one of the guys there (complete with a direct phone number for any further issues/questions) with some extra rubber washers which solved my problem. I appreciate the customer service they provide and have had no issues with the product since.

 

[RyanY]

I have used the Lisle (borrowed) and it works well. Since then I bought the EP Auto version mentioned above, and it works the same.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

WOW ! I'm keeping my beaters running as long as possible. Who the heck needs a radiator fill that's lower than the top of the radiator ? No, too old for this nonsense. The radiator caps on my beaters are accessible, and are at the highest point. Just take the gallon jug and pour it in slowly. Fill the overflow tank a bit above full, and run the car. And they all have drain plugs on the bottom of the radiator for future changes. Why make things so complicated nowadays ???

 

[The Critic]

I saw those - I am not completely sure they would work with the Toyota electric water pump? The process is you engage all systems open (electric water pump, electric heating valve) which you can either do with a OBD tool or holding the engine at above 1200RPM with everything off and in park - apparently puts it into some sort of service mode.

Possibly a vacuum tool would work but I don't want to be the beta tester.

Vacuum fill works fine on Toyota systems with electric pumps. Been doing it for years, A25A included.

But depending on the system and how much was opened, you should still bleed using a funnel. The longer it takes for air to escape, the higher the risk of headgasket failure.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Vacuum fill works fine on Toyota systems with electric pumps. Been doing it for years, A25A included.

But depending on the system and how much was opened, you should still bleed using a funnel. The longer it takes for air to escape, the higher the risk of headgasket failure.

As an aside - do you use a OBD tool to enable the water pump? Which tool?

 

[The Critic]

As an aside - do you use a OBD tool to enable the water pump? Which tool?

Autel has worked in the past for this function.

 

[researcher]

WOW ! I'm keeping my beaters running as long as possible. Who the heck needs a radiator fill that's lower than the top of the radiator ? No, too old for this nonsense. The radiator caps on my beaters are accessible, and are at the highest point. Just take the gallon jug and pour it in slowly. Fill the overflow tank a bit above full, and run the car. And they all have drain plugs on the bottom of the radiator for future changes. Why make things so complicated nowadays ???

you were saying you had 03 or 06 Toyotas? well on my 2az-fe engine in the 06 Scion tC I have, the radiator IS lower than the engine, and has a bleeder valve over on the driver's side of the radiator. Hook up a clear vinyl hose to the top (coming out of the mounting bracket) nipple, open the side wing nut and fill slowly, the air escapes out of there. When you see the coolant coming up the hose, you're done! Only "burps" once and sucks it from the overflow reservoir.

But I think yours probably has that too, take a look on the driver's side of the radiator, you should see a white pet cock knob on the top... take a look?