Coolant on older truck

[cchase]

I need to replace the coolant on my truck. This is the first time I have run into the issue of it being nearly impossible to find conventional green coolant.

My question is, how do the newer "all makes" coolants work in systems which were designed long before the newer coolant technologies?

In other words, should I search high and low for conventional green coolant or am I okay using the newer formulations that claim to be compatible with everything... searching this forum only left me more confused.

 

[cchase]

I should also mention I flush with water, truck on and heat on to remove all the old coolant.

 

[exranger06]

The Napa brand antifreeze is regular green and is what I use in my older vehicles.

 

[nwjones18]

I use the newer 'extended life' antifreeze from either prestone or Oreilly in all of my cars. Including 2 from the 70's and 3 from the 80's and I have had no problems whatsoever. I would just use whatever you can get the easiest.

 

[rshaw125]

I have used the Peak long life coolant in older vehicles with distilled water.Zero problems.

 

[440Magnum]

Old-school inorganic technology antifreeze is still available- just gotta buy "house brand" at places like NAPA and O'Reilly.

I've switched most of mine over to G-05. Enough silicates to protect the mix of metals (iron, brass, aluminum) found in old systems, and more importantly no 2-EHA to damage old gasket materials.

 

[Dan55]

Here's some clues on where to find it https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/new-autozone-green-conventional.139332/ if not then you can use G 05. Dexcool and the clones (newer all makes) are better suited for aluminum,and don't protect brass / solder radiators as well.

 

[rslifkin]

Zerex makes an original green as well. In most cases, systems meant for old green stuff will be fine with G-05, as long as it's flushed well first. I changed the Jeep over with no issues, even though it's not any easier to find G-05 than green.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

AutoZone carries a store brand "conventional green". One name brand (I think Zerex) refers to it as "original formula". Though honestly, G-05 might be the better bet. Don't use an all-makes, please.

 

[cchase]

Since the replies to this thread and other research I have done all conspire to be clear as mud, I think I'm going to keep searching for the green stuff.

 

[eljefino]

VIP green is still old school. Make sure it doesn't say extended life. Black jug.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

If you want the benefit of an extended life coolant, I haven't heard of any problems whatsoever with using G-05 in an older vehicle after a flush. I can't say the same about an all-makes/Dexcool.

 

[bullwinkle]

Zerex, Pride, AutoZone house brand (by Peak), NAPA are all low-silicate original green. I've used the dexclones in my 6.2 GMC, didn't seem to hurt anything, but I personally avoid regular Dex in anything that didn't have a pressurized overflow tank.

 

[eljefino]

If nothing else the green stuff is great to have around mid-winter for servicing and topping up older vehicles... which could freeze up in the course of a flush to something else.

If you read the bottom of that VIP jug, it's made by "Turbo Power" which I have seen in a yellow jug at NAPA (of all places) and a mom & pop hardware store.

 

[lipadj46]

If you can't find green coolant you aren't looking very hard.

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

Ace hardware by me has Peak green. Rite Aid also had it last time I was there about six months ago.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: lipadj46
If you can't find green coolant you aren't looking very hard.


This may be true. We are not blessed with very many auto parts stores around here and Walmart does not carry conventional green.

 

[Airycat]

What is the shelf life of green coolant? I have several unopened gallons of green coolant that are 3 or 4 years old.

 

[doitmyself]

Ford markets a conventional green coolant. My son bought some at a dealer recently for only about $1 more a gallon than other places.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Airycat
What is the shelf life of green coolant? I have several unopened gallons of green coolant that are 3 or 4 years old.


I think the shelf life rating is only about 3 years for original green. Your coolant might have silicate drop out if you try to use it.