Is this stuff (the red coloured coolant) OK to use in my Max ? It's a '92 GXE, auto.

 

I vote stick with green.

The red (orangeish) stuff is Dexacool (I dont think I spelled that right) and it tends to crystalize. GM uses it, but had a recall for their radiator caps or something. I dont quite know all the details, but I believe the problem would be it crystalizing, and if caught to late, you it would form clogs. I know the stuff is good in theory, but Just dont use it unless it the car came with it from the factory. I dont know all the details though.

 

I agree - Aussie & Jap Fords used it for a while in early '90s - it was factory original but still needed to be changed at recommended service intervals. Stick with ethylene glycol (the green stuff) anti-freeze & remember: their's no such thing as "long life" - coolant will break down differently under different conditions. Change at least every 2 years in temperate climates & stick to recommended mix ratio.

 

I change mine every 3 - 6 months. The previous owner used the orange stuff and looked like it crystalised and I had to flush it out a few times before it was all gone...

Stick with the green stuff, much better for your car and will keep it cool.

 

I've done a little research, and the red stuff is also ethylene glycol. The difference between the long life and regular stuff is:

(from the Havoline web site) "It is a nitrite-, nitrate-, phosphate-, silicate-, borate and amine-free formulation which uses Texaco’s patented carboxylate technology to provide maximum protection of the six basic metal alloys found in most heat transfer systems. Since the coolant contains no phosphates or silicates, hard water deposits in the cooling system are almost eliminated. The low level of abrasive dissolved solids in Havoline Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant DEX-COOL results in improved water pump seal life.

The life of a coolant in an automobile engine is limited by the corrosion protection ability of the corrosion inhibitors. The main corrosion inhibitors in Havoline Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant DEX-COOL have been shown to remain above 95% of their original concentration after 150,000 miles in automobiles."

All that being said, I still might go with the green stuff and just change it every two years. It's just such a pain saving it all in a bucket, then pouring it into containers to take to the hazardous waste depot the local landfill runs. I remember my Dad used to just let it run onto the driveway and then flush it down the sewer using the garden hose - DUMBASS.

 

Still, Havoline coolant appears to be the only after market brand that meets all the Nissan specs. I read the same web site and wondered if it would be an acceptable substitute for the Nissan green-based long life coolant.

 

Chavez, you change the coolant every 3 to 6 months.! Stephen Max changes his spark plugs every 3000 milles ! !!! WOW
I'd be curious to see your maintenance schedules.
if we lived in the same city , I'd scavenge both your trash cans for almost new spare parts !

 

Soooo true!! Send those plugs my way.Those suckers are $18.00 a piece up here.Anyway DONT use Dexcool in your Max,you cant mix that stuff with regular coolant.You would have to flush your system out completely first.Like everyone here says stick with the green stuff.

 

My one is waaaayyyy due for a major service / tune... i'm just trying to find some bling bling for my ride

Coolant is cheap anyways...

 

Thats true it is cheap. I just pull the plastic screw on the bottom of the rad,and drain my rad every year. I dont get it all out but every year 4-5 litres of fresh stuff is going in. Takes about 10 min max....Works for me.

 

Just an update for me:

I replaced the tranny in my car (also installed a Fidanza and Exedy) and I had emptied my coolant. When I went to put everything back together, I took a short cut and filled the car back up with straight water. I figured there was probably still atleast 40% of the coolant left in the engine/heater core, so it wouldnt be to much of a problem, I'd just be running a very small mix of antifreeze compared to water.

Well I was working out some issues with the car, along with running some seafoam threw it (engine cleaner) and I was running it threw its paces. after maybe 20mins I went to shut the car off and I noticed the temp needle was sitting at about 75% while normally it never goes above 50%. After the car was off and I put some tools away I noticed my coolant resivour was boiling.

A day or two later I drained all the coolant, found it to be redish in color, so I flushed it twice, added alittle water, dumped about 3/4ths a gallon of coolant into the raditor and filled the rest with water (not much surprisingly).

Anyway basically what I was going to say in the first place is the reason why my coolant turned to a redish orangeish color is because I have an Iron Block, and Iron can rust. VQ's are pure aluminum, so they really wont have this happen. VG's can have the highest results as their heads and block are Iron.

Just a tidbit of info for you guys.

 

where are the plugs for the cooling system anyways?anybody got pics?

 

Go to my buddys site its all there for you...www.motorvate.ca Good luck.