Epic2112

I always have a problem finding coolant that specifically says it is phosphate free. I know some people say it's fine to use coolant with phosphates as long as you use distilled water, but I like to be on the safe side. There are also a number of coolants that say they are safe for all engines, but actually do have phosphates in them. The manual also says that coolant should be silicate free, I don't know if I've ever seen silicate free coolant on the shelves at the big auto stores. I thought it might be helpful to have a list of which coolants are good, and maybe where to get them (I know Mercedes and VW have some coolants that are maybe a bit different).

xsboost90

use 50/50 premixed and you dont have to worry about mixing the wrong thing.

Manning

Here is a tip, don't use tap water or well water ever, only use distilled water. There, now just about every coolant is safe.

apierce918

check ingrediants on the back, they will state there if it has phosphates or silcates.

i used prestone 50/50 new formula for all engines. it didnt list phosphates or silicates, and seems to be keeping the engine by the first mark

Yabo

So, with a phosphate free antifreeze you can use tapwater?

bloodraven

I don't use coolant....water wetter and distilled water. easy as pie...

Ken D

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...6&page=1&pp=15

Imo000

That's because you don't live where the temperature falls way bellow freezing. If it ever does you'll be in for a suprise!

theedge

Ill be using NPG+ Waterless Coolant in my car. Boils at nearly 400F, so it cuts down on hot spots, and theres no cooling system pressure, maybe just 1 or 2PSI. Of course its $32.50/gallon, but oh well

Imo000

You'll need an adjustable cap to bring the pressure down to 1-2psi.

Manning

NO, never run tap water or well water. The problem isn't (typically) with phosphate or silicates in the coolant, it is with minerals in the water. Water out of you kitchen sink can have any number of minerals in it simply from the pipes from the city water supply to your house, and if you have well water it is even worse. For example, if you use city water and your municipality fluoridates the water guess what, you now have a corrosive mineral in your water. This is well documented by the way.

Here is another example: My sister and brother-in-law live out in a rural suburb east of Cleveland and have a well for potable water. They use a good quality water softener and filter. The water is corrosive enough from dissolved minerals that the anodized finish boils off their cooking pots after a year or so right to the water line. Wanna put that in your cooling system?

There is nothing in any coolant that will actively dissolve or corrode your motor, it is generally the combination of the water that you use that takes care of that for you.

Also, you MUST NOT run straight water. You have to use at least something like Water Wetter since it is a surficant and a lubricant. See the thread linked to in the post a few above this one

KuHL 951

Just a thought but the general opinion with automakers is that the Evans NPG+ product should be used only on vehicles designed for 100% propylene glycol coolants and not in older vehicles. Most systems engineer feel that water passages need to be larger, special thermostats installed, and greater cross-sectional area in the radiators. It might cut down on 'hot spots' but in most test cases but oil temps ran hotter than comparable water mixed coolants. Personally I like the fact that corrosion is eliminated and pressures don't build up. On the other hand the drawbacks are much greater retained heat in the coolant loop(poor heat transfer), higher oil temps, and additional loads on the waterpump due to viscosity issues in cold weather.

Call me cautious but any product that has been around since 1990 and hasn't become mainstream in 15 years would get me looking closer at the reasons why. At least it it doesn't pollute or kill pets.