Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => Topic started by: evolutioncheng on February 26, 2007, 04:51:13 PM

Title: radiator coolant
Post by: evolutioncheng on February 26, 2007, 04:51:13 PM
Hey all, just a quick question sry if its posted before, but when I was checking my rx7(FD3) I found that the radiator coolant is bit low.  The colour of this coolant is green, what do people recommend me to use and also where could I buy it from? Example Halfolds
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Grizzly on February 26, 2007, 06:17:39 PM
If its Very green you can just top up with water.

Don\'t take this the wrong way but if you are in any doubt drop the lot and Put fresh anti freeze in. This job is suposed to be done every year but often doesn\'t, the reason for it is after time the Antifreeze becomes Acidic and eats away at the Alloy housings etc.
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: LRP on February 26, 2007, 06:25:29 PM
does anybody add de-ionised water as mazda recommend ??
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Grizzly on February 26, 2007, 06:37:05 PM
Sort of, I use Boiled water (we have a Brita Kettle ;))

TBH i don\'t use that Much water anyway, i use fairly neat Anti freeze not sure if its the Done thing but i change it once a year or if i have to remove a rad pipe etc.
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RobbieRX-7 on February 26, 2007, 07:56:19 PM
I use filtered rainwater out of the water butt and a 5litre green coolant 50/50mix changed every year. It\'s worth doing every year for the sake of £20 and the same goes with oil and filter change too!
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Crazy Eddie on February 26, 2007, 08:11:10 PM
Halfords Blue stuff is fine and I use Battery water to top up :Thumbs-up
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RemarkLima on February 26, 2007, 09:34:25 PM
Yep, deionised water is cheap ;)

But I wouldn\'t use that strong a mix personally, pure water is the best for heat transfer without any inpurities, however this allows rust and can freeze ;)

So I\'d go for a 20% mix, 30% at the most and change it yearly. Just IMHO.
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RobbieRX-7 on February 26, 2007, 10:27:02 PM
This is what you really want, but it\'s not available over here. No pressure build up either so you could run the engine without the caps on.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Evans-NPG-Waterless-Coolant-Safe-Storage-Stops-Rust_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34201QQihZ010QQitemZ200083652326QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Baz116 on February 26, 2007, 10:27:16 PM
i know every1 says to use deionised water, BUT why can`t we just us tap water?
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RemarkLima on February 26, 2007, 10:34:21 PM
It\'s got loads of floride, chorline and other weird and wonderful chemicals in it... I\'d not even keen on drinking it!
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RobbieRX-7 on February 26, 2007, 10:36:54 PM
Because of the PH issues and often high concentrates of silicates and phosphates, tap water should never be used.Using tab water high in phosphates will reduce the anti-corrosion capabilities of the coolant, and using high silicate water will result in premature failure of pumps and seals. The minerals and ions typically found in tap water can be corrosive to internal engine components, and can cause a more rapid depletion of the anti-corrosion additives found in most antifreeze formulations.
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Mave on February 26, 2007, 10:38:17 PM
Quote from: Baz116i know every1 says to use deionised water, BUT why can`t we just us tap water?
Because lots of tap water has got dissolved minerals in it. This leaves deposits (limescale etc) inside the cooling system which blocks is up and causes overheating :(
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Crazy Eddie on February 26, 2007, 10:44:44 PM
Wow you guys answer quick and very comprehensive too :god

I was just going to say look in your kettle!!!! :D
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RemarkLima on February 26, 2007, 10:52:20 PM
Quote from: RobbieRX-7This is what you really want, but it\'s not available over here. No pressure build up either so you could run the engine without the caps on.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Evans-NPG-Waterless-Coolant-Safe-Storage-Stops-Rust_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34201QQihZ010QQitemZ200083652326QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting


Hi Robbie,

Do you use this? Has it cuased any problems? It does look very good! Very interesting indeed!!!
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RobbieRX-7 on February 26, 2007, 10:55:33 PM
I would love to get some simply to have a more reliable coolant system but have\'nt really tried to get any yet. Just reading the debate about it now over on rx7club.com http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=99933&highlight=minerals
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Baz116 on February 27, 2007, 04:22:55 PM
Thanks guys.....     :eek    just off to change coolant, just been topped up after fmic was fitted... used tap water and antifreeze, only been in a day tho....


Quote from: Crazy EddieI was just going to say look in your kettle!!!! :D
i`m from up north mate, water isn`t as "hard" up here so our kettles don`t get all minging like yours!!!!!!!:p
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: Scott Zimny on February 27, 2007, 04:41:17 PM
Quote from: Baz116Thanks guys.....     :eek    just off to change coolant, just been topped up after fmic was fitted... used tap water and antifreeze, only been in a day tho....



i`m from up north mate, water isn`t as "hard" up here so our kettles don`t get all minging like yours!!!!!!!:p


Hehe indeed...fantastic water from north of the border :Giggle
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RemarkLima on February 27, 2007, 08:22:38 PM
You lucky guys! Our water really is filth!!! Shocking what they do to it IMHO!

And RE Evans NPG+, it seems a bit of a hit and miss and until I\'ve seen some stronger proof then I think I\'ll just stick to low concentrate antifreeze and change it every year or so!
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: RobbieRX-7 on February 27, 2007, 08:26:42 PM
Quote from: RemarkLimaY
And RE Evans NPG+, it seems a bit of a hit and miss and until I\'ve seen some stronger proof then I think I\'ll just stick to low concentrate antifreeze and change it every year or so!

Yeah i was thinking the same tbh after reading that thread on rx7club.com.
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: David Nock (RIP) on March 01, 2007, 12:06:31 PM
Used only Blucol in engines for yonks. Same 12A engine for last 15 years, no rebuilds but low miles. (However this is a good test for coolant). Changed every 3 years, using a 40% mix coolant to tap water. The posts above are right about tap water being aggressive, but I thought it was mainly dissolved oxygen in "raw water" which corrodes. Hence the change only at 3 year intervals (Or "O" ring changes!). The blucol goes in blue and more importantly comes out clear blue after 3 years. Perhaps I am lucky with my tap water. If in doubt use demineralised water, but Blucol\'s the business in my book
Title: radiator coolant
Post by: evolutioncheng on March 02, 2007, 01:15:26 AM
thanks all for the reply lol