Cheap 'all makes' coolant - ok for small top-off?

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addyguy

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Just a general question - the 'low coolant' light comes on for 1-2 mins when I start my car in the AM, but then goes out. In checking the Escape/Tribute forums, it could be a 'sticky' level sensor that is being sensitive about the car being slightly low on coolant.

My Tribute takes yellow G0-5 Ford coolant; and if I need some, I can buy a full gallon from Walmart for like $16. However, seems like a lot to spend if I just need 1/2 quart or so.

Walmart also has a house-brand 'all makes, all models' pre-mixed coolant for $8 for a 2-quart jug. On the bottle it says '...safe for all aluminum components, low silicate formula' - will this be okay for a small top-off in my vehicle, or will it cause problems?
 
I would just buy a gallon concentrate G-05 and save the remaining for next coolant flush, I would not mix G-05 with anything else. I had more than 1 gallon Zerex G-05 I saved 3-4 years ago and just used it in my E430, there was no dropout of anything at the bottom of either unopened or opened jug.
 
i'd just add a little distilled water and be ok with it until you can get a gallon of the appropriate antifreeze.
 
I don't see why they don't sell the stuff in quarts.

+1 on the water, G05 is pretty nice stuff to spoil with dexclone.
 
I've only been to Walmart, so another store might well have G0-5 in quarts.

I'm very hesitant to add pure water - I'm not doing a full flush, and we are heading into winter - even half a quart of water would lower the freeze point.
 
Definitely don't add dexclones to that. That mistake being repeated a few times in its life led to my mom's Jeep getting so much sludge buildup that the heat just stopped working. When I flushed the system, and then backflushed the heater core, I got little jelly blobs of congealed coolant coming out, and all of the fluid was brown, cloudy and smelled terrible.
 
Thanks for the info.

I haven't actually checked the coolant level yet, will be doing tommorow.

Any concerns, like I had, about adding water to the system near winter? I don't think I would need to add more than 1/4 quart....
 
1/4 quart of water isn't going to change the overall mix noticeably, as the system probably holds 2 - 3 gallons total (8 - 12 quarts). It might drop you from 50% to 48% coolant. If you're worried, pick up some G-05 and plan to use the rest for a coolant change in the spring.
 
Thanks....

If this is a '1 time leak/consumption' of coolaqnt, I don't want to have most of a gallon of coolant sitting around for nothing.

I'll dump 1/4-1/2 quart of spring water into it, and see what happens going forward.
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Thanks....

If this is a '1 time leak/consumption' of coolaqnt, I don't want to have most of a gallon of coolant sitting around for nothing.

I'll dump 1/4-1/2 quart of spring water into it, and see what happens going forward.
Spring water would be bad, stick to distilled-cheap at Walmart (under $1/gallon).
 
...too late, dumped a 500ml bottle of spring water from a case of water we have into it the other day - that stuff is 'pure' isn't it? It was a sealed bottle......

It's now a bit over the 'full line', but the coolant level light goes out right away, so the problem seems to be fixed for now.

I did an OC on this truck on the weekend and sent the oil out for a used oil analysis - we'll see if any of the coolant is going into the oil, but I don't think so....
 
Spring water tends to be very high in minerals (for taste), so it's not ideal to put into the system. In the quantity you added, I don't think it'll be a big issue though.

Also, if you don't know when the last time the coolant was changed is, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to plan a drain and fill when it warms up in the spring.
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
...too late, dumped a 500ml bottle of spring water from a case of water we have into it the other day - that stuff is 'pure' isn't it? It was a sealed bottle......

It's now a bit over the 'full line', but the coolant level light goes out right away, so the problem seems to be fixed for now.

I did an OC on this truck on the weekend and sent the oil out for a used oil analysis - we'll see if any of the coolant is going into the oil, but I don't think so....


Its actually not a bad way to flush the cooling system to always take a hose off when the car is shut off (it will spray at you so be careful) and eventually having 100% water of ANY kind in there, along with continually adding a flushing agent like white vinegar or the prestone superflush stuff. This will introduce a constant flush and if its not freezing outside, it is safe to leave in w/o antifreeze. (This time of the year if you are in winter it is a good idea to have at least 40% antifreeze in it if you are doing that. You will have brown coolant from the dirt and rust, if you cant get a hose on it to flush when the engine is cool and the hose is off, then backflush through the block.) Do that for about a week, and it should get to the point that the water runs clear, having gone through every which way. Heater core too, blast that heat to get it to run through that secondary radiator that has coolant run through it. The levels will bleed themselves off quite easily, maybe except for a few cars.

Cooling system, spark plugs, and ATF level are some of the first things i do along with an oil change when i get a car.
 
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