2 years on coolant and about 750 miles on it.

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TRWRacing

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Green conventional antifreeze 50/50 mix in Chicagoland. Can I wait another year or change it before winter storage this year? 360 LA with new radiator and heater core 2 years ago.
 
TRWRacing said:
Green conventional antifreeze 50/50 mix in Chicagoland. Can I wait another year or change it before winter storage this year? 360 LA with new radiator and heater core 2 years ago.
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I wouldnt worry about it , just make sure it good for ur areas temps---------------
 
TRWRacing said:
Green conventional antifreeze 50/50 mix in Chicagoland. Can I wait another year or change it before winter storage this year? 360 LA with new radiator and heater core 2 years ago.
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your fine.... make sure it's good for at least 25 below
 
Run purified/ distilled water, add some inhibitor once in awhile and run it. "In reality" you should do chemical checks for balance and adjust. DO NOT RUN tap water
 
Dump it. Coolant breaks down over time and forms acids which attack the various metals in your cooling system.

$15 for a gallon of antifreeze every other year is cheap insurance IMO.
 
Looks like your fluid is about as basic as baking soda. Don't know if the is good or bad!
 
flingdingo said:
Dump it. Coolant breaks down over time and forms acids which attack the various metals in your cooling system.

$15 for a gallon of antifreeze every other year is cheap insurance IMO.
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Horse ****. As I said run purified water, add some chemical stabilizer/ inhibiter if needed.
 
My cars have always had an automatic maintenance feature. When ever a hose breaks, I change the antifreeze.
 
Refractometer is the tool you need.The cost of fluid replacement versus the cost of any possible cooling system damage should make it a no brainer.
 
Oils and fluids have come a long way in a short time. They have way more modern additive packages in them than they once did. If you run distilled water (like you're supposed to anyway) coolant will last a really long time.
 
Question...

How often do you change your coolant in your modern cars, have you ever changed your coolant? 5 years, 10 years, never?

Interestingly the FSM says to "drain, flush, and refill the cooling system once a year... "
 
Dana67Dart said:
Question...

How often do you change your coolant in your modern cars, have you ever changed your coolant? 5 years, 10 years, never?

Interestingly the FSM says to "drain, flush, and refill the cooling system once a year... "
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Kitty's car is a 2004 Ford Escape. We bought it new in December of 2003. Were it not for the fact we've hit two deers in it during the time we've owned it and it got the radiator both times, it'd still have the original Ford gold coolant in it. The first deer hit I would "guess" was about 2013. When I replaced the radiator then, the first time, the coolant still looked "new".
 
Premixed coolant uses distilled water, no need to add anything. Always thought that was a lazy 100% markup but when distilled water is .89 a gallon at Walmart, it makes sense to buy straight coolant and a jug or 2 of distilled water at the same time. Save your old empty jugs and premix in there. 2 for 1! I doubt the new stuff breaks down in under 5 years or 150k myself. 5 year Dexcool is class action lawsuit ****, but the newer OAT/HOAT stuff is way better. Use the green for brass radiators and heater cores. The OA is for Organic Acid, and that does break down over time.
 
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Dana67Dart said:
Question...

How often do you change your coolant in your modern cars, have you ever changed your coolant? 5 years, 10 years, never?

Interestingly the FSM says to "drain, flush, and refill the cooling system once a year... "
Click to expand...
AFAIK every major manufacturer since the mid-2000s has gone to a cooling system that completely keeps the air out. That is a critical for the newer organic acid coolants to be effective. It takes time for OAT & hybrid OAT coolants to build up its protective character in an engine and radiator. Once it does it can last a relatively long time compared to conventional IAT antifreeze. But since our systems are semi-open, the fast acting characteristics of conventional is the best match.

http://www.pqiamerica.com/Antifreeze_Coolant_Timeline.pdf

Coolant Confusion: It's Not Easy Being Green ... or Yellow or Orange or ... | MOTOR
 
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Just an FYI. Cooling system failures are and have been the number one cause of auto breakdowns in the US for many years.
 
pishta said:
Premixed coolant uses distilled water, no need to add anything. Always thought that was a lazy 100% markup but when distilled water is .89 a gallon at Walmart, it makes sense to buy straight coolant and a jug or 2 of distilled water at the same time. Save your old empty jugs and premix in there. 2 for 1! I doubt the new stuff breaks down in under 5 years or 150k myself. 5 year Dexcool is class action lawsuit ****, but the newer OAT/HOAT stuff is way better. Use the green for brass radiators and heater cores. The OA is for Organic Acid, and that does break down over time.
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1:1 if you live where it freezes.
 
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