What coolant?

[Initial-D]

Right its about time I changed my coolant, what are peeps using these days? Red/Blue and where from/brand? I remember a thread awhile back can't find it now!

[kev-yorks]

Avoid the red stuff Ben either blue or green you want a Ethylene glycol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol) based antifreeze.
Kevin

[Initial-D]

I've run red before, it was aluminium friendly and seemed fine. Used blue and green too. Just wondered what people thought was the best for the engine without causing gunk buildup.

[Rixio]

Mine had green in it before the overheating problem...the GTC had blue when it came from Japan

[nikp]

I changed my thermostat last year, and could only get red at the time....had coolant issues from that moment on.

May have been coincidence though, of course.

[Jake]

I'm using Motul Inugel Optimal from Opie Oils. It's red but based on monoethyleneglycol. It's also pre-mixed with distilled water. I've been using it for about 3-4 months without issue.

[Initial-D]

Hmmm... seems like any can be used really! Just check the label beforehand! Jake I read the spec on the Motul (£18 for 5L!!!) but it doesn't say if it's alright for aluminum engines?

[Jake]

Hmmm... seems like any can be used really! Just check the label beforehand! Jake I read the spec on the Motul (£18 for 5L!!!) but it doesn't say if it's alright for aluminum engines?

I wasn't sure so I checked with Simon at Opie and he assurred me that there would be no issue using it in a Rex.

[rmagictastic]

go to HALFAUDS ben.

Rmaj

[Rixio]

Dont you mean Halfrauds :p

[Ricco_04]

Brought my coolant from there - Ethylene glycol based one - 1L 2L & 5L tub's available. Ethylene glycol is aliminium friendly. :)

[Jono FD3]

Or if you know a freindly mechanic who works in VW Audi........... they use some pink stuff and run full ally blocks so it shouldnt cause any probs I wouldn't of thought????

Jono

[kev-yorks]

The reason people tell you to stay away from the NON ethylene glycol based ones that tend to be red is that as the deteriorate and breakdown they become acidic. If your changing coolant every couple of years as you should then there's no problems whatever you use so long as you keep the concentration right (which should be 50:50)
Kevin

[oldone]

I change my water once a month,with a good flush of the system.Nothing better than good old distilled water for cooling........

[Initial-D]

Got ya! Thanks guys, I've just got distilled water in there at the moment as I ran out of antifreeze when I flushed the system recently. I wasn't sure about the Halfords premix stuff TBH. Now it's getting colder I thought I'd better put some antifreeze in there!!

I had thought the mix was 70:30 Kevin?!

[kev-yorks]

Lastest thinking is 50:50 for optimum inhibitors to stop any corrosion.
Kevin

[oldone]

Lastest thinking is 50:50 for optimum inhibitors to stop any corrosion.
Kevin
Thats only cos you got one Rotor than us ....:rollin and more allumin

[Initial-D]

Lol!! Still some antifreeze has to be better than zero!!

Do you think it'd make any difference to the temps depending on the mixture used??

[MillSpeed]

EG is less efficient at transferring heat than pure water so in theory I suppose you could see higher engine temperatures as the EG content of the coolant increases. However, increasing the % EG also increases the boiling point of the coolant so while you might see slightly higher engine temps you're less likely to get localised boiling which is far more damaging.

[banned advertiser]

Purple Ice is a good additive for helping cooling and anti-corrosive prevention.
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Royal_Purple_motor_oils.html

[Initial-D]

How many litres of coolant can 16oz do Gary?

[banned advertiser]

Genarally guys are using 2 bottles, some using 1, its an additive not a anti freeze replacement.

[Grizzly]

What i would like to know, Is there any diffrence between your £5 a gallon Antifreeze and the top flight stuff thats more like £5 a lt ?

Also if you use Water wetter or an Additive what advantage does it give you over std Antifreeze in say 50-50 ratio? Is it just a Rust inhibitor or does it make the Antifreeze more effective?

[banned advertiser]

It does not make the anti-freeze better, it makes the engine run cooler and adds corrosion protection.