Radiator coolant - which one

[Paulinwales]

HI There, I have read the articles on radiators, bleeding, watched the youtube video, went to the automotive shop asked for long life ethylene glycol coolant and was asked blue or red?

I was wary as thought it should be clear and was aware of precipitation/reaction problems with possible japanese coolants

can people advise what coolant to use for a complete bleed. The rad has had some k-seal put in and i want to get rid of it before it causes any problems. radiator looks fine , i think one of the pipes is leaking (drivers tophose to long metal thing) and causing coolant loss and i think the previous owner was a bit clueless and added k-seal - i'll bleed and see what happens .

ps i check the coolant daily and loss is small. I plan to flush and change the main pipes (which are well worn and starting to sag (originals)), then review situation

rgds Paul

[daveblueozzie]

Get some coolant engine flush, put that in first to get rid of some of the crud .drop the coolant , then fill with new coolant, once its empty of coolant it does not matter which coolant you put in because its the only type in there, it when you start to mix coolants, that's when the problems start.
I use carplan red coolant about a 50/50 mix. I have used that over the last four years without any problems, recommended by bigdaddycain ,and that's good enough recommendation for me.
Give yourself plenty of time to bleed the bongo after you have done this coolant change, there are a few different ways of bleeding, all work with different degrees of speed and success.
It is not quick job ,be patient with the bleed and put a genuine mazda stat in at the same time.

[bigdaddycain]

I have used a 35-40% ratio of CARPLAN premium red for quite a few years now... it's imperitive all the old coolant is flushed right out of there, as you can only guess as to what's been put in there in the past.

[mikexgough]

I have used a 35-40% ratio of CARPLAN premium red for quite a few years now... it's imperitive all the old coolant is flushed right out of there, as you can only guess as to what's been put in there in the past.

Car Plan Premium red is as close chemically to Factory FL-22 as possible (although the factory coolant is Green pre 2005 and Blue since )

I do have some info on Jap coolants including all of the colours they use.... and in the UK it's not as simple as blue/green/red....and "universal" as Halfrauds punt to the masses

[Paulinwales]

thnaks guys, very helpful