Alright so I just bought another E36 and the "mechanic" from the lot that I bought it from just threw straight full strength green coolant. Not sure what brand though. Would it be fine If I used regular Prestone green coolant? Or should I use the blue BMW coolant that costs a bit more?
Blue or Green???
- Thread starter AlpineM52
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Man I still want an e36 328i...
If it were my car I would probably change it with BMW OEM fluid or zerex g-05.
If it were my car I would probably change it with BMW OEM fluid or zerex g-05.
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I'll echo that - either BMW Blue or Zerex G-05 which is gold/yellow color. I've used Zerex G-05 for about 5 years in my E36. It's a bit hard to find but still cheaper than the BMW branded stuff. And I'm pretty sure the jugs of BMW blue sold in the USA is made by Zerex (G-48, made under license from BASF?). If Zerex thinks their G-05 formula is a proper replacement, I'll take their word for it.
My local AutoZone and O-Reilly doesn't carry it, but a block down the road is a Uniselect/AutoPlus (new place, formerly Red Rooster) that has it. I hear NAPA now has it but I never shop there (or CarQuest or Advance).
My local AutoZone and O-Reilly doesn't carry it, but a block down the road is a Uniselect/AutoPlus (new place, formerly Red Rooster) that has it. I hear NAPA now has it but I never shop there (or CarQuest or Advance).
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Ford Premium Gold is Zerex G05. All else fails, go to a Ford dealership. Not too expensive.
my local Carquest carries G0-5. I use it in my 95 bmw and change it every couple of years.
Originally Posted By: AlpineM52
Alright so I just bought another E36 and the "mechanic" from the lot that I bought it from just threw straight full strength green coolant. Not sure what brand though. Would it be fine If I used regular Prestone green coolant? Or should I use the blue BMW coolant that costs a bit more?
Any NAPA in the country should be able to order Zerex G-05, if not have it in stock.
Alright so I just bought another E36 and the "mechanic" from the lot that I bought it from just threw straight full strength green coolant. Not sure what brand though. Would it be fine If I used regular Prestone green coolant? Or should I use the blue BMW coolant that costs a bit more?
Any NAPA in the country should be able to order Zerex G-05, if not have it in stock.
Originally Posted By: AlpineM52
Would having the regular green stuff in there do any harm?
The issues would be silicate levels, G 05 and G 48 being pretty darned low, and life of service, G 05 and G 48 being long-lived.
I would assume the "green stuff" to be good for no more than two years and do a thorough flush at the end of that period and return to G 05 or G 48.
Caveat: be darned sure the mechanic flushed it thoroughly before filling it. If the contents of the cooling system are a mix of coolants, all bets are off.
Would having the regular green stuff in there do any harm?
The issues would be silicate levels, G 05 and G 48 being pretty darned low, and life of service, G 05 and G 48 being long-lived.
I would assume the "green stuff" to be good for no more than two years and do a thorough flush at the end of that period and return to G 05 or G 48.
Caveat: be darned sure the mechanic flushed it thoroughly before filling it. If the contents of the cooling system are a mix of coolants, all bets are off.
I would go with G-05. BTW you should not run straight green, as in undiluted. The OP was not clear whether the green stuff that was used was full strength or mixed with distilled water. Go for 50/50.
Originally Posted By: Wilhelm_D
Originally Posted By: AlpineM52
Would having the regular green stuff in there do any harm?
The issues would be silicate levels, G 05 and G 48 being pretty darned low, and life of service, G 05 and G 48 being long-lived.
I would assume the "green stuff" to be good for no more than two years and do a thorough flush at the end of that period and return to G 05 or G 48.
Caveat: be darned sure the mechanic flushed it thoroughly before filling it. If the contents of the cooling system are a mix of coolants, all bets are off.
This. I don't think G-05 is any better of a suitable replacement for G-48 than conventional Green. G-05 has a longer service life than Green though and Green is phosphated but that is not an issue even the water isn't hard. The real issue is mixing G48 with Green or G-05. From what I know of G48 is it's 2EHA with siicates and no nitrites but may have borates. Any coolant besides G48 is not going to be that similar of a forumula. I personally think the BMW would be OK with Green, G-05, Peak Global or even Dexcool. The key thing is get a full fill of one formula or the other and not a mix of coolant types.
Originally Posted By: AlpineM52
Would having the regular green stuff in there do any harm?
The issues would be silicate levels, G 05 and G 48 being pretty darned low, and life of service, G 05 and G 48 being long-lived.
I would assume the "green stuff" to be good for no more than two years and do a thorough flush at the end of that period and return to G 05 or G 48.
Caveat: be darned sure the mechanic flushed it thoroughly before filling it. If the contents of the cooling system are a mix of coolants, all bets are off.
This. I don't think G-05 is any better of a suitable replacement for G-48 than conventional Green. G-05 has a longer service life than Green though and Green is phosphated but that is not an issue even the water isn't hard. The real issue is mixing G48 with Green or G-05. From what I know of G48 is it's 2EHA with siicates and no nitrites but may have borates. Any coolant besides G48 is not going to be that similar of a forumula. I personally think the BMW would be OK with Green, G-05, Peak Global or even Dexcool. The key thing is get a full fill of one formula or the other and not a mix of coolant types.
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