Green vs red coolant in a 1kz
- Thread starter jbhilux
- Start date
billolga
4x4 Earth Contributer
OK but what ratio of Coolant to water in each case?
A lot cheap skate & use less than recommended.
jbhilux
New Member
Thanks for that I might do the same well I'm at it
Rusty Panels
Well-Known Member
It is apparently very important to make certain that you use the correct coolant to suit your vehicle. It can and will cause corrosion issues if you don't so they say.
There are heaps of online compatibility checks you can do.
There are heaps of online compatibility checks you can do.
CTL
Well-Known Member
Colour of coolant means nothing. Let me repeat that, colour of coolant means nothing.
The ingredients of the coolant is what is important for your engine.
Different colours mean different ingredients in different countries.
Just because your vehicle made in Thailand (for example) came with green coolant, doesn’t mean you replace it with green coolant. The correct Aussie coolant for your vehicle may in fact be red.
Consult your vehicle’s manual and choose a coolant which matches the manufacturer’s ingredient recommendation.
The ingredients of the coolant is what is important for your engine.
Different colours mean different ingredients in different countries.
Just because your vehicle made in Thailand (for example) came with green coolant, doesn’t mean you replace it with green coolant. The correct Aussie coolant for your vehicle may in fact be red.
Consult your vehicle’s manual and choose a coolant which matches the manufacturer’s ingredient recommendation.
CTL
Well-Known Member
One small issue with using pre-mixed coolant is, if you don’t get all the flush water out of your coolant system before refilling, using pre-mixed may result in a diluted coolant mix.
Using concentrate and filling with distilled water ensures you have the correct coolant concentration. This may, or may not, be important or a concern for you but something to be aware of.
Using concentrate and filling with distilled water ensures you have the correct coolant concentration. This may, or may not, be important or a concern for you but something to be aware of.
TYNO87
Active Member
As above, use the correct coolant for your vehicle regardless of colour and FLUSH ALL the old coolant out when you change it.
I pull the thermostat out after I drain the radiator then re fill it with demineralised water, start it, run it for a few minutes, shut it down and drain it again, then repeat until the water comes out clear. Then I refill the radiator with a slightly strong mix of coolant and demineralised water to account for the water that doesn’t drain from the block. Then I usually put a little more in when I realise I’ve forgotten to put the thermostat back in lol.
I’ve been told by the local radiator bloke and a coupe of mates who are mechanics not to use nulon coolant, not because it’s no good, but because it’s doesn’t mix well with others. Not that you should mix any, but it in particular doesn’t play nicely.
I pull the thermostat out after I drain the radiator then re fill it with demineralised water, start it, run it for a few minutes, shut it down and drain it again, then repeat until the water comes out clear. Then I refill the radiator with a slightly strong mix of coolant and demineralised water to account for the water that doesn’t drain from the block. Then I usually put a little more in when I realise I’ve forgotten to put the thermostat back in lol.
I’ve been told by the local radiator bloke and a coupe of mates who are mechanics not to use nulon coolant, not because it’s no good, but because it’s doesn’t mix well with others. Not that you should mix any, but it in particular doesn’t play nicely.
Rusty Panels
Well-Known Member
That is correct, however I think you will find that some (not all but some) are coloured to make different types easily identifiable. This does not mean however that all coolant manufacturers are playing by the rules so you need to check compatibility.
There are 2 main types, type "A" Anti freeze anti boil and type "B" anti corrosion.
Google "Coolant types" and all will be revealed.
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discomatt
Well-Known Member
you do realize unless your car will last another 25 years and do another 1,000,000,000 km it makes no difference what water you put in it, coolant mixture and type is vital.
As CTL said color means nothing, it simply indicates what type of coolant it is and the different properties.
Oh hang on color means everything, use the correct chemical make up and that will determine color
CTL
Well-Known Member
Sometimes you argue just for the sake of arguing.
Go and have a look at coolants which are both borate and phosphate free. Some are red, some are green, Nulon’s is purple (if I remember correctly).
As I said, a manufacturer I am familiar with fills with green in the factory but their identical product on their shelves in Aust. is red.
Rusty Panels
Well-Known Member
It all tastes lousy, regardless of what colour or how much ice you put with it! 
Petunia
Well-Known Member
annnnnd .... there is no ''might'' ... it ''will'' last 15 years
Genuine Toyota factory water .... after 15 years is still good, I personally took a sample to my lavatory and subjected it to rigorous testing and recycling, well maybe i wiped the bucket out, would you believe I just looked in the bucket? and saw no chunkey bits nor signs of degradation [trained eye to the micron]