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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 11:05 AM
  #1  
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Default Coolant Selection

Hey guys. Now that the RAD is pulled and end tank being installed today. I was wondering what coolant to put in.
I have read the Nichols and searched the forum, but still looking for some guidance. I am ready with the distilled water!

What came out was green, flushed the hoses and once the RAD was out, flushed that good also.

What about water wetter? Do I need that, I live in Illinois.

I am nervous about changing color at this point.

Any suggestions? Brand and version?

Thanks!

Shawn
84' 928S
74 TR6
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 12:07 PM
  #2  
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Use Zerex Gold G-05, it's the best of all worlds. You can get it at most autoparts stores (NAPA, Autozone, etc).

Dan
'91 928GT S/C
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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You should pull the block drain plugs and get the 2 gallons that are in the block out. You'll need to jack up the car to get to them. They are on each side of the block closer to the rear of the block. See attached pictures. Flush the system with a garden hose inserted in the block inlet.

Use coolant designed for aluminum systems (i.e., low/no phosphate and silicate). Green or one of the "universal" yellow coolants like Prestone long-life or the Zerex Gold Dan mentioned. Dex-cool type has it advocates, but any of the standard ethylene glycol coolants intended for aluminum work fine. Change it every 2 years (maybe longer with extended life coolants, but I still do every 2 years). Use distilled water in a 50/50 mix (2 gallons coolant + about 2 gallons water) with the coolant unless your tap water is very soft (low mineral content).
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:02 PM
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I just put Prestone extended life (yellow) in mine. This replaced the green coolant that was in there. Used about 3 and 1/2 gallons. I am going to see if I need to burp the system to add more.

Pretty messy job. I got coolant everywhere when I pulled the drain plugs on the block.

+2 on the water wetter question. Is it recommended or needed in the 928?
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:04 PM
  #5  
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I am switching over to Zerex G-05 on both my 928's on the next flush. A discussion with a local European and Asain import mechanic convinced me to change from Dexcool.

From that discussion and some other forums I read, I understand that Dexcool is better for cars made after about 1990-95 (varies with manufacturer - Porsche is about 1995) and is usuable but not prefered with cars made before that.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:11 PM
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Thanks guys. Since the RAD is already in and just needs to be filled, and since green fluid is what came out on the flush............does green have to go back in?
At this point I am not going to drain the block.

So does that mean Green is still in the block and Green will have to go into the RAD refill? If so, what Green should I use?

Thanks for all the help.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:20 PM
  #7  
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Question...

When doing a flush does the radiator need to be drained or can you drain the block and will the fluid from the radiator just flow down to this point?

In other words, are their three low points to the system (Rad and Left/Rigt Block Drains) or just two low points (Left/Right Block Drains)?
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:37 PM
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I can't say anything good or bad about Water Wetter. I tried it once or twice and can't say it made any difference, so I haven't used it in years.

The "universal" coolants are compatible with green if you are not going to drain the rest of the system now.

The radiator will not be included in a block drain since the lower (outlet) radiator hose courses upward to the water bridge, trapping the radiator contents. So, you need to pull both block drains and the plastic drain plug on the right side bottom of the radiator.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 01:45 PM
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Just drain the block. It does not take long and you are starting with fresh coolant. As per a prev coolant thread, color of coolant does not always indicate type. I am not sure I would want to mix although with universal coolant and distilled water it probably won't matter.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 02:32 PM
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Zerex has an original green that is low silicate and good for aluminum.
Do you guys see any good reason not use that one since the block is not getting drained right now.

Any other Green suggestions?
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 02:36 PM
  #11  
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That Zerex should be fine.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 03:00 PM
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One thing for sure, you can't mix the red/pink with the green or yellow. This ding dong of a mechanic (not me) added green to my red/pink in my audi, and it coagulated. Did not notice until the car overheated and had to do an entire system flush.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 04:04 PM
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After draining the system, go get some of the Prestone that states on the label "works with any color of antifreeze, and any radiator/engine type. To make life real easy get the stuff that is already predilluted.
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 05:15 PM
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After seeing what happened to my heads, I will never let the green stuff come close to my car. I now only use the Zerex G-05.

Draining the block is messy - get ready to run! There just isn't a pretty way to do it. Then stick the garden hose in and flush the hell out it. Replace teh drain plug, and fill back up with G-05 antifreeze.

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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 05:52 PM
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There's only 1 thing I don't like about Zerex G-05.
It don't smell.
On the other coolants, I can smell a coolant leak a mile away.
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