radiator coolant

[evolutioncheng]

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

[Grizzly]

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.

[LRP]

does anybody add de-ionised water as mazda recommend ??

[Grizzly]

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.

[RobbieRX-7]

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!

[Crazy Eddie]

Halfords Blue stuff is fine and I use Battery water to top up :Thumbs-up

[RemarkLima]

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.

[RobbieRX-7]

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

[Baz116]

i know every1 says to use deionised water, BUT why can`t we just us tap water?

[RemarkLima]

It\'s got loads of floride, chorline and other weird and wonderful chemicals in it... I\'d not even keen on drinking it!

[RobbieRX-7]

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.

[Mave]

i 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

[Crazy Eddie]

Wow you guys answer quick and very comprehensive too :god

I was just going to say look in your kettle!!!!

[RemarkLima]

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

Hi Robbie,

Do you use this? Has it cuased any problems? It does look very good! Very interesting indeed!!!

[RobbieRX-7]

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