Best Coolant Addative ???

[David1]

Some people say to use Coolant additives are a 100% waste of $.

Im just wondering what you all think and what you think the the best and way.


I have seen

REDLINE Water Wetter

And

Purple Ice – Radiator Coolant Additive

Amsoil coolant boost

Lucus Super Coolant

So what do you think or what have you used and could really see a differnce???

Or do you think its a waste of $

Thanks for info

 

[95busa]

Waste

 

[Falcon_LS]

If I had to use one, only one I'd use is LubeGard Kool-It.

 

[Donald]

What is the OP trying to accomplish with an additive. Use quality coolant and forget the additives. RMI-25 might be the exception if you are looking to clean the radiator a bit. I have it in one vehicle, I do not really notice anything. Cooling system was probably clean to start. But it was a used vehicle and could have had some crud in the block.

 

[rfeir]

Don't use an additive. Change it when recommended with an appropriate recommended coolant.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: rfeir
Don't use an additive. Change it when recommended with an appropriate recommended coolant.
+1

 

[David1]

Originally Posted By: 95busa
Waste


Yea I figured so, as it says in the owners manual not to add anything..

However it dont hurt to ask.

Thanks.

 

[NHGUY]

Snake oil exists to make money...off YOU.Wouldnt you really rather spend the money on something else (booze,smokes,gambling)?

 

[David1]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Snake oil exists to make money...off YOU.Wouldnt you really rather spend the money on something else (booze,smokes,gambling)?


Only kind of snake oil I use regularly is Marvel Mystery Oil.

I put 4OZ with my gas each time I FILL UP

and I put some in my Crankcase a few hundred miles b4 I change the OIL.


Also I have used ATP 205 Reseal to stop a leak and that is not a OIL... and it worked.

also Used ATP 203 Friction Modifier for my transmission... and it worked.....

Do you consider them Snake Oils??

Marvel Mystery Oil
ATP 205
ATP 203
?????????

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: David1
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Snake oil exists to make money...off YOU.Wouldnt you really rather spend the money on something else (booze,smokes,gambling)?


Only kind of snake oil I use regularly is Marvel Mystery Oil.

I put 4OZ with my gas each time I FILL UP

and I put some in my Crankcase a few hundred miles b4 I change the OIL.


Also I have used ATP 205 Reseal to stop a leak and that is not a OIL... and it worked.

also Used ATP 203 Friction Modifier for my transmission... and it worked.....

Do you consider them Snake Oils??

Marvel Mystery Oil
ATP 205
ATP 203
?????????


Now there is some real snake oil!!

 

[The_Eric]

Coolant additives such as Redline or Royal Purple serve a purpose for limited applications. Namely racers running straight water with a reduced/reduced cooling system. These types need more lube/rust protection than water alone can provide as well as the benefits of the surfactants, lubes and other voodoo stuff that's missing in the absence of a coolant mix.

Modern coolants need nothing but decent water. All the additives say that you'll get better cooling, more protection, yada yada... While I'm sure they're out there, I've yet to run into a cooling system in a stock application that needs more assistance. Even when low on coolant (to a point) or with a faulty cap, they still can get the job done, pointing to plenty of reserve capacity. Many modern coolants are good for at least 5 years, some for ten! Barring extenuating circumstances the cooling system will stay clean, protected and fully functional for many, many years. Now there are a handful of applications where certain coolants are a bad mix with certain cooling systems, and a change in coolant types can be beneficial. In those instances, an additive won't fix the issues at hand.

So for most people out there, in most applications, an additive is unnecessary and a waste of money. You are, in essence, fixing something that is not broken. The bottom line is maintain your car or trucks coolant in the way prescribed by the owner's manual (or somewhere in that neighborhood) and you won't ever have any problems.

 

[Traction]

Whether it was the cause or not I ran Redline water wetter/distilled water in my 350 LT-1 and after 125 miles the water pump seal failed on a new aluminum water pump making a huge mess out of my shiny new engine.
After reading the Stewart water pump website, I found out they said do not use any quench agents, such as water wetter as it could cause early seal failure. Wish I would have read that first. There is a lot of great cooling system info on their site.

 

[JHZR2]

I too think that coolant should be changed more often and that is the best PM. That said, Ive run Schaeffer's clean and cool in my vehicles for many, many years now, and the systems are all spotless and original.

 

[gman2304]

I've used No-Rosion for years...having said that, no one on this site seems to like it. The radiator in my 18 year old Nissan truck that I bought new in 1995 literally shines when I periodically check the coolant. Not a hint of scale on the fins and they look new. I drain and refill...never flushed, and add a dose of the No-Rosion 'snake oil' every 5 years. I have never replaced a hose , radiator cap,water pump or thermostat on this truck. Does it work? I don't know...maybe I'm just lucky!

 

[95busa]

Lots of folks mistakenly believe they get results because of what they do, when it is actually in spite of their decisions

 

[gman2304]

Like I said...'maybe I'm just lucky'!

 

[Garak]

Those are designed to be used if you're using pure water - as in a racing application. They don't do a lot to "improve" a fully formulated coolant.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: 95busa
Lots of folks mistakenly believe they get results because of what they do, when it is actually in spite of their decisions


Agreed.

Too many people attribute the positive results and long life they see to the additives they put in their engine, transmission and radiator, when it is actually because of maintaining their car correctly and repairing issues that arise in a timely manner.

 

[901Memphis]

Best additives to coolant? I can think of one...




Distilled water.

 

[Tanama]

Best coolant additives is not the best way to approach it. Best coolant/radiator practices is the real approach.
1. Keep your battery and engine electrical ground wires clean and in good order.
2. Replace the coolant as needed. Coolant is normally cheap, so change it at proper intervals.
3. Clean the radiator and engine coolant ducts as needed by circulating water. If very dirty get some flush product,
4. Properly purge the cooling system of air, if you have a sealed system.
5. Ensure you have a properly working radiator cap.
6. Make sure you acquire a suitable coolant and mix it with the best water quality available.
7. Avoid extraneous additives in the coolant. Those might just become contamination sources.
8. Always ensure the hoses, thermostat, fans and relays are in good order.
9. Don't forget to clean the heater core.

The best heat transfer option for the vehicle engine is plain water. Some products, like Water Wetter, improve the surface tension and thus slightly increase heat transfer of plain water. To address the freezing, corrosion, and lubrication requirements is that glycols and anti-corrosive packages are added. If you do change the coolant regularly, most of the times any coolant technology currently available shall be suitable for your car.