Which antifreeze?

[reddog928]

Getting ready to change coolant. Have water wetter and distilled water, which antifreeze is best?
Also read several years ago on a diy flush method that I can't find . Any hints would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Reddog928

[surfdog4]

after doing much research, I've decided the antifreeze debate is like the oil debate..everybody has an opinion.

Well my "new" opinion is that it really doesnt matter what brand you use. I read enough times that the "phospate free" issue is more of a problem if you live in Europe and/or have very hard water. Phosphates cause the minerals in the water to "drop out" and possibly deposit themselves in your coolant system. If you are using distilled water (or even non-hard tap water) then this shouldn't be an issue.

Also, it seems like any of the "Extended life" (>100k) antifreezes are not using phosphates anyway. So I put in the store brand extended life antifreeze (most places have the kind now that mixes/replaces any previous color. Over time i purchased it at two different places but you can tell it came from the same factory.

I probably won't let it run in my daily drivers for 100k just because i grew up changing it more often, plus on these cars you probably want to change out the water pump before then anyway!

[Danglerb]

Most of our cars have DexCool by Prestone in them, but I have been giving some thought to VW/Audi stuff made by Pentosin (I think).

[gattaca]

Valvoline Zerex G-05 or DEX-COOL are both pretty good. http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/automaker.asp

Using any quality phosphate-free anti-freeze containing ethylene glycol for aluminum engines is recommended by Porsche.

[gattaca]

Coolant Flush: http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/coolant.htm

Coolant Change: http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/svc_coolant.html

[911blex]

Mercedes-Benz and Audi/VW brands are phosphate-free. I've used the M-B stuff for years and have been very happy.