Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 07:07 am, by: Paul Mawter(Morts)
Just had the top radiator tank replaced and when I went to pickup the car the cooling system had been filled with green coolant.When I suggested that the coolant should be red the local Nat-rad mob assured me that the green was compatible with the Toyota V8. I'm uncomfortable with the green coolant as over the past years I've gained the impression that the coolant MUST be RED and Toyota. What's the current thinking re red or green coolant? Anyone any answers?
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 12:33 pm, by: Robert Carlyon(Bob)
Paul, I just bought a bottle of the NULON Red Coolant. It is marked on the bottle as compatible with Toyota TSK 2601G. They also state it is recommended for all vehicles that require Red or Orange coolant. The info is also on the their website.
Not sure about the green, but I hope this is of some help.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 12:51 pm, by: Tim Wilson(Tim)
The same thing happened to me when I got mine done at Natrad, but mine didn't have the red coolant in it before. I got mine done a couple of months ago, and the car's been sitting for a few weeks, I went to start it today and there's no coolant in it! I'm going to have to ring them now and tell them they stuffed up somewhere! Cheers, Tim
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 05:38 pm, by: Ben Folkes(Ben05)
Im not 100% sure, but i remember reading somewhere that the green coolant is for cars with a copper/brass core (in the heater or radiator, i dont know), whereas red coolant is a more organic coolant suited to aluminium cores..something along those lines
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 06:05 pm, by: Anish Varsani(Yomama)
The colour is just a die. The coolant can be anycolour the manufacturer wants to make it. A lot of green coolants are suited to alloy engines.
My understanding is that both OAT (usually red) and Silicate (usually green) coolants will protect alloy engines. The difference is in how they react with water pump seal. The silicates in green coolant is primarily there to protect cast iron. Some of it may precipicate out as a solid if not used (deposited on cast iron and other ferrous surfaces).
The solid chews away at waterpump seals over time and makes is leak.
A lot of places that compliance soarers (v8 and turbo) flush the cooling systems and fill with green coolants.
Neil Griffiths Trader 1 x JZZ30,2 x UZZ31,1 x UZZ32,1 x UZZ Track Car,1 x AeroCabin,1 x Crown V8,1 x Celsior
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 06:35 pm, by: Neil Griffiths(Aussiesc)
I cannot for the love of me understand WHY Toyota Coolant cant be used ?? Its NOT expensive..It Suites the Metal Ergy of the engine and all its componants.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 07:02 pm, by: Paul Mawter(Morts)
I think your right Ben. Certainly you get that impression from reading the stuff on the back of the Nulon coolant bottles.
Neil, I have discovered after dealing with the local Natrad mob at lismore that as a franchise they are supplied with Natrad's own green coolant and that's it. So if you want RED Toyota coolant don't go near Natrad.
I wanted Toyota red coolant in the car so around to Toyota for 4 litres and back to Natrad. At my instance they replaced the gren with the Toyota red.However I had to pay for the red coolant.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 07:23 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
I think the question is: does the green do any damage? It appears that an alloy-qualified green is fine.
I ask this hopefully because I find my car has green, put in at compliancing in January. Change is not ordinarily due until the "100k" service (which I will do at 96k) about 12k from now.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 08:21 pm, by: Miles Baker(Milesb)
I went to a place that had whole assload of experience with industrial and auto cooling systems of all different kinds. I was there to buy some fluro coolant dye (which most radiator shops even told me did NOT exist!).
The guy there assured me that the colours these days are arbitrary in the aftermarket - the important thing is to get someone who knows the needs of the system and the properties of the coolant. He said Nulon have a red AND a green that would suit the Soarer. Confusing!
That said, the easiest answer is Toyota red. It will work, guaranteed. And like Neil said, it is the same friggin price.
Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 11:21 am, by: Greg Manson(Greg93tt)
Peter, If you want parts in the city go to CMI toyota in Wright street. I have got to know a guy called Sean in there and he will give you a good price also. Saves the trip out to Salisbury.
Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 11:36 am, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
Greg, I am wanting to have a chat with them. As you say a lot closer. I rang them Saturday morning, they didn't have the thermostat in stock, and the price was slightly higher that Salisbury - before Salisbury agreed to give ALSC members a nice discount.