So I just got my spectra radiator in the mail today, I went to Autozone to buy some coolant and they had no green coolant except peak " Asian " vehicle coolant and Prestone " All vehicle coolant" . I asked the man behind the counter if i could get green coolant and he told me that prestone is now yellow and works with all cars and had no idea if peak worked with older japanese cars . I bought the prestone but am now wondering if that stuff is even compatable now . All the searches say ethol glycol is what I should use but most are 10+ years old.
What do you guys run, should i just use the prestone yellow ? ( please don't suggest evans. I daily drive and in an emergency evans is useless as i can't fill on the fly if the rad leaks )

 

I use only Mazda FL22 in my RX-7's and RX-8's. I get it at the dealer and it is comparable in cost to the parts store stuff. I just prefer it personally.

 

i've used prestone, peak, even the store brands with no problems. currently have some from O'Rielly(their brand) labeled as universal antifreeze and coolant. i think the differences started with the use of aluminum radiators maybe? or maybe other parts in the system that were a problem with certain coolants but i've never had any problems with any coolant.

 

It seems people say modern coolant eats silicone , that may be true but our cars don't use silicone gaskets or O rings.
I'm gonna top off with that prestone stuff but run mostly 70/30 water.

 

i get the 50/50 stuff and don't bother adding water.

 

I'm using Evan's in my '80 and my sons GSLSE. I have been pleased, but there are detractors who are against it. Read up and decide if it's right for you

 

Me too in my 80. Runs a bit warmer in really hot weather but, as per jay leno's review - offers major (and lifetime) protection for metal internals. Not cheap, not a mix (ie with Dist Water), but you only do it once.

Stu A
80GS

 

Evans sounds great if you use it right after a fresh engine install.. I drained the old rad and only got two gallons out , my coolant looked good .

 

Yeah, EVANS system demands NO water/old coolant left behind. They offer a flushing product to use to clear out the old coolant first. Obv virtually any one going to EVANS will need to do a proper flush. PITA - but lifetime coolant!

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

I've seen it used on shows and seems legit. They definitely make a big deal about no old coolant and/or water.

I just changed my coolant with a new water pump, so I may try this next time. It doesn't get very cold or hot where I live.

 

Well I added half a gallon of the new prestone and a gallon and a half of distilled watter 30% coolant to 70% water to the remaining 3 and a half gallons of 55/45 . Temp was 87 today and the car never climbed past the 20% mark where it would normaly be at the 35% ( a third up) . I chalk it up to the new rad and a 60-40% coolant mix .
I will look into the Evans but honestly it seems like a bad idea for a daily . Tow trucks take up to three hours to show up here .

 

Evans propylene glycol doesn't have the thermal mass of a 50/50 water/ethylene glycol "WEG" mix (which is the ratio most people should be using). This means that under the same operating conditions, Evans has less cooling capability. On the plus side, Evans probably won't promote corrosion, which I believe could be useful for a garage queen. I used Evans in a high HP turbo 13B, and the engine detonated under conditions that it had previously survived with WEG.

My recommendation:

Garage Queen / Rarely and Gently Driven: Evans

Everything Else: WEG

 

My car is my daily , thats why I'm biased twoards evens, Some JB weld and drinking water can get me home , Evans , I would need two gallons of it at all times and if there is a leak I better hope I caught it early .