1987 Toyota MR2 Coolant Suggestions

[DaCookieMonster]

Hey everyone,

I need to replace the fluid in my MR2. I have used the red Zerex 50/50 premix asian car formula for maybe three changes across nearly ten years of ownership of the car. I would prefer to get something concentrated this time, to save money, since the car requires approximately three gallons of coolant. I was looking at Peak Original Equipment Technology Red/Pink. But I started thinking... did they even have red/pink coolants in 1987? Is there a possibility of chemical incompatibility with this older car? I had to bypass my heater core because it started leaking. Is it possible that the Zerex coolant attacked the solder joints?
I guess my question is... what coolant would be best for this car, and will I run into any compatibility issues or sludging when switching over from Zerex Asian 50/50 red?

 

[ripcord]

If it was my car, I would just drain and fill every couple of years with what you're already using. Zerex Asian is highly compatible with brass and solder so it's unlikely it harmed the heater core. The mostly likely reason the heater core leaked is damage due to vibration or too long coolant drain intervals.

Here is the PDS for Zerex Asian which includes material compatibility information.
https://avesta-sanat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/US_Val_ZXAsianRed_AFC_EN.pdf

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Switching from Zerex to Peak should not be a problem at all, even though the car probably came with green silicate from the factory.

Another option is Recochem OEM Brand Pink. Pep Boys used to sell Recochem before going service-only. It was also the only pink concentrate until Peak OET came out.

 

[Tifosi]

Switching from Zerex to Peak should not be a problem at all, even though the car probably came with green silicate from the factory.

Another option is Recochem OEM Brand Pink. Pep Boys used to sell Recochem before going service-only. It was also the only pink concentrate until Peak OET came out.

Correct on the factory fill.

I was told that if you do a complete flush thoroughly then I think you can pretty much use whatever type of coolant you wish after.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Correct on the factory fill.

I was told that if you do a complete flush thoroughly then I think you can pretty much use whatever type of coolant you wish after.

Some cars/engines are easier or harder than others to completely flush the coolant

 

[DaCookieMonster]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I think, since I want to buy concentrate, and also don't want to do a perfectly thorough flush, switching from red Zerex asian to red/pink Peak asian makes sense. If I'm not missing out on any important properties from green/silicate type coolants, I think I'll go with red Peak.

Thanks again.

 

[Asterix]

My 1988 Supra gets Toyota Red, mixed 50/50 with distilled water, and it would be the best thing to use in your 1987 MR2. Pink is for newer cars.

I really don't think either of these cars had typical green silicate coolant from the factory. It would have been Toyota's own Red.

 

[nthach]

Toyota red or Zerex Asian/Peak 10X/Final Charge Pro Series.

Toyota pink uses sebacic acid, which is just as much of a plasticizer as 2-EHA. Oddly enough, the aftermarket Asian coolants save for Prestone are using sodium benzoate as the OAT and not sebacate(Toyota) as OE or 2-EHA(Prestone/Subaru).