M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Selfish on March 01, 2009, 02:06:21 AM

Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: Selfish on March 01, 2009, 02:06:21 AM: what kind of coolant/antifreeze do y'all use? I´ve been using the ready-to-use (I think prestone 50/50) but someone told me it´s not good for bmw´s.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: RED IS 91 on March 01, 2009, 06:06:46 AM: I use Zerex G-05.

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r73/bogeyman700/bottle_bot_ZXG051.jpg)
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: JP 91iS on March 01, 2009, 11:27:58 AM: I've used Zerek G-05 too, its fine for bimmers. You could always go with BMW antifreeze too.
(http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/imgdsply.cgi?pn=82141467704-M9)
Part #: 82-14-1-467-704
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: xwill112x on March 01, 2009, 12:40:11 PM: Quote from: JP 91iS;67426
You could always go with BMW antifreeze too.

yehhhh but that shit is expensive! $$
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: Selfish on March 01, 2009, 12:51:19 PM: yeah, I thought "you can´t go wrong with bmw antifreeze" until I saw the price tag (+shipping)
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: xwill112x on March 01, 2009, 01:01:11 PM: i just use what ever is the cheapest, i flush mine twice a year, so i have no problems.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: JP 91iS on March 01, 2009, 01:10:34 PM: I guess. I'd rather pay $20 than flush my system that often.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: xwill112x on March 01, 2009, 01:25:24 PM: Quote from: JP 91iS;67439
I guess. I'd rather pay $20 than flush my system that often.

it's not that bad, i've always flushed the system in every car ive owned (all bmw's ;) ) that much.

so it doesn't really bother me.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: Cobra Jet on March 03, 2009, 01:06:11 PM: I have used the BMW coolant + distilled water for a few years now (first used it in my pror 95 M3), I use it currently in my M42 and I also use it in my 94 Cobra... :)

If you are a BMWCCA card holder, you can get a discount at your local BMW Dealer when buying the coolant...
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: tjts1 on March 03, 2009, 01:31:49 PM: Whatever green coolant is cheaper at the local store. Mix with distilled water.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: monty23psk on March 04, 2009, 05:25:25 PM: Green coolant is bad for BMWs. The phosphate will cause corrosive properties all over the place. You need to stick with orange or blue. So BMW or Mercedes works fine. You can use over the counter ones, just make sure they are phosphate free. Yes if you keep everything clean and flush every 2 years, green should be ok, but long term, can cause problems. I used to use green, but changed after hearing stories. Most of the crap will just cause water pump or clog radiators as the corrosive bits can clog things. Never have had an issue. BMW coolant is expensive but worth in in my opinion, purchased and divide over 2 years, its cheap. Also keep thing, DISTILLED WATER is needed. Regular water can have contaminants the can do more damage.

But to each their own...
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: tjts1 on March 04, 2009, 06:18:10 PM: Because of the proliferation of aluminum block engines in the last 10 years, almost all green coolants sold in the US are phosphate free. Check the label.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: Hodge on March 04, 2009, 06:30:43 PM: I just put Prestone green in my E36 after my DASC install....seems to work just fine. I will probably flush every year anyway, so I am not too worried.

I also have mostly distilled water and not entirely too much coolant anyway. I am in Florida after all.

As of yet, my car has only gotten to the middle of the gauge when sitting, running for an extended period, no A/C on either.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: monty23psk on March 04, 2009, 10:37:27 PM: tjts, not here to give you a hard time, and like i said, to each their own. This excerpt below is taking from FAQs on Prestone's website....

Q. Does Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
A. Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free antifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely high mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreeze that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corrosion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem. Typical North American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part of the corrosion inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question of phosphates is a non-issue here in North America. Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant is completely safe for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles. For those consumers who would feel more comfortable using a phosphate-free antifreeze, our Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant is phosphate, silicate, and borate free. This coolant uses a special chemistry and technology that extends the life of the corrosion inhibitor package so that it lasts for five years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first), and is safe for all cars and light trucks (old or new). Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant has been approved by General Motors under their DEX-COOL® specifications and is compatible with other DEX-COOL® approved coolants.

* DEX-COOL® is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: nomad on March 04, 2009, 10:45:55 PM: I use 50/50 ready to go stuff, makes it easy. But... when I put the M42 back together I ran green for a few weeks, flushed and filled with BMW blue. That'll be the last time i use it due to price but figured I'd "treat her" that first time.
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: 240trooper on March 14, 2009, 01:45:49 PM: all coolants are fine is you flush on a yearly bases, Go-5 or Dex-cool would be good to but you will be payn more but its worth it, since mines a old 84 ethenal glyclo (green stuff) is just fine .
Title: coolant type/brand?
Post by: Jimmy Lewis on March 14, 2009, 06:56:37 PM: Quote from: monty23psk;67692
tjts, not here to give you a hard time, and like i said, to each their own. This excerpt below is taking from FAQs on Prestone's website....

Q. Does Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
A. Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free antifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely high mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreeze that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corrosion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem. Typical North American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part of the corrosion inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question of phosphates is a non-issue here in North America. Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant is completely safe for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles. For those consumers who would feel more comfortable using a phosphate-free antifreeze, our Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant is phosphate, silicate, and borate free. This coolant uses a special chemistry and technology that extends the life of the corrosion inhibitor package so that it lasts for five years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first), and is safe for all cars and light trucks (old or new). Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant has been approved by General Motors under their DEX-COOL® specifications and is compatible with other DEX-COOL® approved coolants.

* DEX-COOL® is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation.

I don't really understand the relevance of their argument about water quality. As cheap as a few gallons of distilled water are, I see no reason to fill your radiator up with tap water. I mean shit, most people are too afraid too drink tap water these days.