Interesting article on COOLANTS

[Ron Miel]

I've been using Prestone 5 year long life coolant in mine for 4 years, 3 with silicone pipes and no problems to report, after 80,000km, but I still noticed sediment built up in the top of the radiator. probably best to go with cheap 2 year green glycol anti-freeze and flush/treat your system at every change..
I've just changed it and gone back to standard 2 year stuff.

If the 5 year coolant contained abrasive silicates, as many do, maybe that's why you "still" got sediment - the interaction with silicone hoses reported earlier in this thread. Some early silicated long life antifreeze mixtures were abrasive enough to also chew up aluminum engine components, presumably creating sediment in the process.

Is it true that there are very few anti-freeze choices in NZ? One input I've had says only one type is available, with differentiation only by the same stuff being sold under different brand names. That input also said that it's all silicated and includes phosphate in the mix - no phosphates are any longer used here, due to environmentally negative connotation. Your input, however, shows that at least two types are available.

[Timnz]

I've been using Prestone 5 year long life coolant in mine for 4 years, 3 with silicone pipes and no problems to report, after 80,000km, but I still noticed sediment built up in the top of the radiator. probably best to go with cheap 2 year green glycol anti-freeze and flush/treat your system at every change..
I've just changed it and gone back to standard 2 year stuff.

If the 5 year coolant contained abrasive silicates, as many do, maybe that's why you "still" got sediment - the interaction with silicone hoses reported earlier in this thread. Some early silicated long life antifreeze mixtures were abrasive enough to also chew up aluminum engine components, presumably creating sediment in the process.

Is it true that there are very few anti-freeze choices in NZ? One input I've had says only one type is available, with differentiation only by the same stuff being sold under different brand names. That input also said that it's all silicated and includes phosphate in the mix - no phosphates are any longer used here, due to environmentally negative connotation. Your input, however, shows that at least two types are available.

There are lots to choose from, but supercheapauto are one of the few selling 5 year coolant. I did some reading, apparently its the latest coolant formulation, compatible with all types. I didn't use a radiator cleaner/flush additive when I first changed the coolant, and I guess there are a lot of rubber pipes, steel pipes and aluminium materials in the cooling system(and silicone pipes!) so sediment build up would be greater than a normal car..

[Ron Miel]

Thanks. Hope you've got it sorted out now, and that she runs for ever

[Ron Miel]

Just found this article, which is more than a little relevant, and seems to bear out many past observations on this forum! http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-10-155

According to the article (admittedly promoting BASF Glysantin) we're only really safe using Mazda's own FL22 coolant pre-mix (which does not contain Glysantin) - unless we've introduced non-Mazda components (e.g., silicone hoses) into the system, in which case, probably back to the drawing board as above.

Depending on an email answer still awaited from Comma Oil (or the continuing lack of one), regarding one of their Glysantin-based silicated coolants currently in my engine, I may now ditch my silicone hoses and switch to FL22

[mikexgough]

not wishing to fan the fire........
Looking at FL22 and supplies, the early stuff can be got if shipped in....... the Blue is ready available from Mazda.....
BUT...... I decided to look at MX5 spares and see if they have some of each...the Green pre 2005 and the 2006 on Blue FL22 coolant

They use in their pre 2005 MX5's Mobil coolant http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... ts_id/1595

Spec sheet here which is Glysantin based and same specs as most Red OAT coolants.......... but they do have post 2006 FL22 Here
I would hazard a guess that the pre 2005 recommendations are good to go for the Bongo/Freda too....

[Ron Miel]

No fire fanning - useful inputs, Mike.

Also occurs to me that I've got LPG system components to consider also (coolant flows through part of the system!), and I aint going to strip that out

[scanner]

I would hazard a guess that the pre 2005 recommendations are good to go for the Bongo/Freda too....

I wonder what the Ford recommendation for the early WL engined Ranger is?

[Ron Miel]

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...They use in their pre 2005 MX5's Mobil coolant http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... ts_id/1595

Spec sheet here which is Glysantin based and same specs as most Red OAT coolants..........
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Although there are no Glysantin products Mazda-approved, according to: http://www.veredlungschemikalien.basf.d ... ductfinder

The Ford approval for Glysantin G-05 is certainly not relevant, even to the WL-T engine. BASF describes G-05 as an "Older-generation silicate-containing premium engine coolant....Especially compatible with engines made of gray cast iron", so we clearly shouldn't touch that with a barge pole http://www.veredlungschemikalien.basf.d ... n/products

[haydn callow]

Is there actually anything it is safe to put in ???????

[Ron Miel]

Yes, FL22 - unless, that is, you've added non-Mazda components, in which case suck it and see!

[Ron Miel]

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....Am now trying to work out whether my 3-years long life Glysantin based Comma G48 HOAT, which caused no Bongo V6 problems from late 2008 until now, has been quietly munching at my silicone main hoses, since they were fitted in August!!
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Have written to Comma Oils for their comments.

I contacted Comma a few weeks back and spoke to the Tec dep't.......At the time I was asking about the mixing of coolants and anything problems they could enlighten me on....
Any mixing of coolants at all is a NO NO (at first they wouldn't comment on that )and although I got the feeling they could tell me more they were defensive and unhelpful.

You wuz right Haydn. One week on, and no reply. Anyway, even though research meanwhile suggests there's probably no acute problem of interaction between silcone hoses and modern, less highly silicated, anti-freeze, I'm going to play safe and swap the G48 for a silicate-free in the near future!!!

[mikexgough]

I would hazard a guess that the pre 2005 recommendations are good to go for the Bongo/Freda too....

I wonder what the Ford recommendation for the early WL engined Ranger is?

Ford Ranger coolant is either Motorcraft or an equivalent and that is Car Plan Premium Red (info from local Motor Factor database) - I guess Comma and others make a similar "brew"....... best to contact manufacturer like I did..... Tetrosyl advise that CP red is fine for a Bongo....

[mikexgough]

Is there actually anything it is safe to put in ???????

Closest to Factory chemistry is Car Plan Premium Red......probably others that are a similar make up too.... see above post....

[mikexgough]

Just some added info.............Genuine Mazda Long Life Coolant. (pre 2005 LLC)
According to the labels on the container, its ingredients are Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Hydroxide. It meets ASTM spec D-3306. It is a concentrate and Mazda recommends a 50/50 mixture of Mazda Long Life Coolant and demineralized water for year round protection. The part number is 0000-77-501E-02.

[Ron Miel]

Just some added info.............Genuine Mazda Long Life Coolant. (pre 2005 LLC)
According to the labels on the container, its ingredients are Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Hydroxide. It meets ASTM spec D-3306. It is a concentrate and Mazda recommends a 50/50 mixture of Mazda Long Life Coolant and demineralized water for year round protection. The part number is 0000-77-501E-02.

Does it also include the item "Proprietary Inhibitors", in the label listing, as some other Mazda coolants apparently do? According to a, 2007 forum posting at MCX-7.com, with reference to the then-new "long-life pre-mixed FL22", that ingredients list specifically included "Proprietary Inhibitors (NJTSRN 217)".

Either way, do you happen to know which inhibitors are included in the older version (also FL22-branded?) you refer to - presumably not silicates or borates? Is it a 5 years long life coolant?