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Correct coolant

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Correct coolant
#1
Cabin Boy Avatar
Cabin Boy Bill Kortum
Arlington, WA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB "Buttercup"
1980 Harley-Davidson Touring
1988 Suzuki Samurai "Old Blue"
1998 Chevrolet Commodore "Beam'n'Water"    & more
It appears the aluminum radiators are popular replacements and becoming quite common .

My question is , what is the correct coolant to use ?

I know my new rig uses the orange anti-freeze because of the aluminum head .

I've also read where the old green glycol anti-freeze can damage aluminum .

Curious what the real world experiences of what anti-freeze to use with the aluminum radiators are .

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Re: Correct coolant
#2
Nicecar Avatar
Nicecar Gary (ex "Harv") G
Victoria, BC, Canada   CAN
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1980 MG MGB "Red On Red On Red"
I have the same question for my stock /80.

Though green is what was recommended years ago, the modern yellow (I'm told) is for all vehicles.

Is this correct?

And though jug says 10 years (yellow / 15 years green), can this be trusted?

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Re: Correct coolant
#3
Rick Fawthrop Avatar
Rick Fawthrop Richard Fawthrop
Langley, WA, USA   USA
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1960 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite
1974 MG MGB
1994 Mazda Miata
Bill use the yellow coolant.
I use premix because my well water has a high mineral content.

With the newer cars I use the manufactures specific coolant. IE Dexcool for GM, Toyota, Chrysler because they are synthetic.

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Re: Correct coolant
#4
V8MGBV8 Avatar
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN, USA   USA
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In reply to # 4777738 by Cabin Boy

I've also read where the old green glycol anti-freeze can damage aluminum .


Maybe old anti-freeze. I don't believe any anti-freeze sold today is harmful to aluminum.

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Re: Correct coolant
#5
Cabin Boy Avatar
Cabin Boy Bill Kortum
Arlington, WA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB "Buttercup"
1980 Harley-Davidson Touring
1988 Suzuki Samurai "Old Blue"
1998 Chevrolet Commodore "Beam'n'Water"    & more
In reply to # 4778156 by V8MGBV8
In reply to # 4777738 by Cabin Boy

I've also read where the old green glycol anti-freeze can damage aluminum .


Maybe old anti-freeze. I don't believe any anti-freeze sold today is harmful to aluminum.

Carl ,

That my issue . There's a lot of " I think " or ' I believe " or " should work " opinions going around .

I have read so many conflicting articles from various manufacturers , not someone on YouTube , on what is and isn't compatible .

With all the different colors of antifreeze now on the market , it would be great if testing was done by a reputable lab to clear this up .

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Re: Correct coolant
#6
bleteaches6 Avatar
bleteaches6 Silver Member Lee Orphan
Bonney Lake, WA, USA   USA
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1956 MG MGA 1500
1974 MG MGB GT
1974 MG MGB GT
1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)    & more
I hope this helps

https://www.mgexp.com/article/modern-automotive-coolants.229

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Re: Correct coolant
#7
Cabin Boy Avatar
Cabin Boy Bill Kortum
Arlington, WA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB "Buttercup"
1980 Harley-Davidson Touring
1988 Suzuki Samurai "Old Blue"
1998 Chevrolet Commodore "Beam'n'Water"    & more
In reply to # 4778786 by bleteaches6 I hope this helps

https://www.mgexp.com/article/modern-automotive-coolants.229

Thanks for the lead , but same o , same o .

A lot of information with no definitive answer to the question.

What antifreeze can be used safely in our 50+ y.o. cars that install an aluminum radiator ?

I read the article several times , and now completely understand the chemical makeup of the 3 types used in the U.S.
Ethylene glycol , O.A.T. and H.O.A.T.
What I didn't find was conclusive evidence for the type of antifreeze they could say will not cause potential damage .

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Re: Correct coolant
#8
Speedracer Avatar
Speedracer Platinum AdvertiserAdvertiser Hap Waldrop
Taylors, SC, USA   USA
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1961 MG MGB "LL" Lady Lynn"
1967 MG MGB Racecar "The Biscuit"
I've ran green and distilled water in my aluminum radiators for 25 years, no issues. I'm not alone either, I know many folks that do the same thing. Carl nailed it when he said all anti-freezes are aluminum-safe.Distilled water is just cheap and mineral free. Many manufacturers asked for distilled water when aluminum radiators first came out, Mercedes comes to mind. It will state aluminum safe right on the jug, read the instructions.on the back side, it is clearly stated right there. I buy the straight stuff, not the pre\mixed stuff, so I know what water is used. Almost ever modern car on the road for the last 30 years has had an aluminum core radiator, and most aluminum heads, and many aluminum blocks, it's not like you heading into uncharted waters.


In reply to # 4778972 by Cabin Boy
In reply to # 4778786 by bleteaches6 I hope this helps

https://www.mgexp.com/article/modern-automotive-coolants.229

Thanks for the lead , but same o , same o .

A lot of information with no definitive answer to the question.

What antifreeze can be used safely in our 50+ y.o. cars that install an aluminum radiator ?

I read the article several times , and now completely understand the chemical makeup of the 3 types used in the U.S.
Ethylene glycol , O.A.T. and H.O.A.T.
What I didn't find was conclusive evidence for the type of antifreeze they could say will not cause potential damage .


Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
864-370-3000
Website: www.acmespeedshop.com
hapwaldrop@acmespeedshop.com



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2024-03-31 06:07 AM by Speedracer.


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Re: Correct coolant
#9
ex-tyke Avatar
ex-tyke Graham Creswick
Chatham, ON, Canada   CAN
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1976 MG MGB
When in doubt, read the label for aluminum & cast iron compatibility.
I'd be surprised if all current antifreeze products weren't aluminum and cast iron compatible. And as others have mentioned, use distilled water!

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