Antifreeze

[Blinky19]

What is the proper antifreeze to use. Does it matter the orange or green one. Thanks

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[njjoe]

B19-

I recommend going with a brand-name (Prestone, Peak, etc.) antifreeze/coolant that is specifically designed for aluminum cooling systems.

-njjoe

[Blinky19]

Thanks joe, if i'm just topping off can i add straight from bottle or do i need a 50-50 mix with water.

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[miloca1983]

staight from the bottle. water corrodes the aluminum in the system


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[Pilgrim]

I NEVER use the orange in anything. It's a relative of GM Dex-Cool, which has nothing but negative reviews and reports in my experience.

Originally Posted by miloca1983

staight from the bottle. water corrodes the aluminum in the system

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^^This is ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT. The correct coolant mix for general use is 50-50 water and antifreeze. Pure antifreeze will freeze at higher temperatures than a 50/50 mix.

Pure anti-freeze will freeze at about -5° F. Water is the catalyst that makes the anti-freeze work. A 50/50 mix of water and anti-freeze will lower the freezing point to about -35° F and a 70/30 mix of antifreeze and water will lower the freezing point to about -67° F. As we all know, there are many parts of the US where winter temps will drop well below -5 F.

If you are concerned about the water, use distilled water in the radiator. It lacks minerals to deposit in the cores.

Also, running straight water is bad because the antifreeze contains lubricants for the fuel pump and anti-corrosive chemicals to protect the cooling system. Run 50-50, and keep the mix as close to that as possible.

Personally, I split antifreeze into two gallon bottles, fill each halfway and top off with water - then use a Sharpie to label each container with "50/50" so there is no confusion.

[Blinky19]

So when the system is flushed and refilled with fresh antifreeze, is it straight antifreeze or a 50-50 mix?

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[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Blinky19

So when the system is flushed and refilled with fresh antifreeze, is it straight antifreeze or a 50-50 mix?

I thought it was obvious, but 50/50. Never, under any circumstances, is there a reason to run 100% antifreeze. To say "refilled with fresh antifreeze" is incorrect. It is refilled with a 50/50 water/antifreeze mix.

And your dealer or shop almost certainly isn't using distilled water. I haven't used it for more than 30 years either.

[Blinky19]

Thanks Pilgrim

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[miloca1983]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I NEVER use the orange in anything. It's a relative of GM Dex-Cool, which has nothing but negative reviews and reports in my experience.



^^This is ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT. The correct coolant mix for general use is 50-50 water and antifreeze. Pure antifreeze will freeze at higher temperatures than a 50/50 mix.

Pure anti-freeze will freeze at about -5° F. Water is the catalyst that makes the anti-freeze work. A 50/50 mix of water and anti-freeze will lower the freezing point to about -35° F and a 70/30 mix of antifreeze and water will lower the freezing point to about -67° F. As we all know, there are many parts of the US where winter temps will drop well below -5 F.

If you are concerned about the water, use distilled water in the radiator. It lacks minerals to deposit in the cores.

Also, running straight water is bad because the antifreeze contains lubricants for the fuel pump and anti-corrosive chemicals to protect the cooling system. Run 50-50, and keep the mix as close to that as possible.

Personally, I split antifreeze into two gallon bottles, fill each halfway and top off with water - then use a Sharpie to label each container with "50/50" so there is no confusion.

did not knew that! thanks for that piece of info!


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[KJSmitty]

Pilgrim is right yet make sure the gallon of new AntiF you grab off the shelf isn't the "Pre-mixed" variety. Many times the price is enticing yet folks don't realize it's already 50/50 etc. Of course with the Pre-mix/gallon type you are good to poor straight away.

Cheers

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by KJSmitty

Pilgrim is right yet make sure the gallon of new AntiF you grab off the shelf isn't the "Pre-mixed" variety. Many times the price is enticing yet folks don't realize it's already 50/50 etc. Of course with the Pre-mix/gallon type you are good to poor straight away.

Cheers

Good point - when you buy the pre-mix, you're paying for water. The cost per ounce of antifreeze in a mixed container is higher than that of straight antifreeze.

Of course, if you're stranded, it's an emergency or you have ni idea how much you need to add and you don't want to have to make a guess at how much antifreeze and how much water to add, then buying pre-mix makes sense because you're assured of having a correct mix.