Hi Everyone,
I'm one of the "long time lurkers, first time posters". You don't know me, but I've read literally hundreds of threads and countless posts from dozens of you. I have learned alot from you guys and appreciate everyone's imput and willingness to help here on the boards. I am finding the selection of coolant fluid for my vehicles complex and don't have time to figure it out, so I am seeking your recommendations regarding radiator coolant for two of my vehicles.
1-Bought an 08 Altima 2.5 S two years ago. Low miles (55K), generally good shape, but hadn't been maintained. Replaced front and back brakes (close to being metal-to-metal), air filter, timing belt (it was beginning to crack), PCV valve (leaking pretty bad), spark plugs (figured they had been in there for 13 years, didn't want to risk them being stuck in there, old ones looked good according to mechanic that changed them), cabin filter (probably never been changed), oil & filter change (was a quart low when I bought it, probably due to PCV). Changed oil brands and used some Rislone after engine was using alot of oil. The engine using oil problem seems to have subsided. Just changed the gaskets on the oil cooler (small leak, apparently a notorious problem on these Altimas). Came to the conclusion that after the lack of maintenance on this vehicle that the radiator coolant has probably never been changed. Mechanic had to refill the radiator a good amount when he changed the oil cooler gaskets. Used the AZ universal brand coolant. I had to add some older Prestone to that after I got it home. After reading some of the posts here, it appears that coolant fluid selection has become alot more complex than I previously thought. I have read that it isn't wise to mix coolant brands and/or types in some of these vehicles. I don't mind spending the money on what it really needs, but I don't really know what to buy for radiator coolant. I am leaning towards a distilled water flush (several times if needed) and then filling with 100% coolant in the end, but I am also open to a 50/50 flush and fill a few times if need be. The radiator does not appear to be dirty inside, but I would like to start with a clean slate on the fluid. My questions are this on the 08 Altima:
1-What brand/kind of coolant would you recommend? Again, I would prefer out of habit to use 100% strength, but would seriously consider a 50/50. I don't mind spending some money to get the right/best fluid if I have to.
2-What kind of flush would you use? Distilled water? 50/50 flush? Prestone type of flush? Again, I'm kind of extreme when I flush. I'm known to do it 3-4-5-6 times if I need to. I want my radiator clean.
07 Dodge Dakota-Just installed a new Jasper rebuilt engine in it 2500 miles ago (has a total of 118K on it). Mechanic filled it with the "house brand" universal coolant (I think Autozone). Will that suffice or should I refill with a more ideal brand?
Thanks so much in advance for your help!
I'm one of the "long time lurkers, first time posters". You don't know me, but I've read literally hundreds of threads and countless posts from dozens of you. I have learned alot from you guys and appreciate everyone's imput and willingness to help here on the boards. I am finding the selection of coolant fluid for my vehicles complex and don't have time to figure it out, so I am seeking your recommendations regarding radiator coolant for two of my vehicles.
1-Bought an 08 Altima 2.5 S two years ago. Low miles (55K), generally good shape, but hadn't been maintained. Replaced front and back brakes (close to being metal-to-metal), air filter, timing belt (it was beginning to crack), PCV valve (leaking pretty bad), spark plugs (figured they had been in there for 13 years, didn't want to risk them being stuck in there, old ones looked good according to mechanic that changed them), cabin filter (probably never been changed), oil & filter change (was a quart low when I bought it, probably due to PCV). Changed oil brands and used some Rislone after engine was using alot of oil. The engine using oil problem seems to have subsided. Just changed the gaskets on the oil cooler (small leak, apparently a notorious problem on these Altimas). Came to the conclusion that after the lack of maintenance on this vehicle that the radiator coolant has probably never been changed. Mechanic had to refill the radiator a good amount when he changed the oil cooler gaskets. Used the AZ universal brand coolant. I had to add some older Prestone to that after I got it home. After reading some of the posts here, it appears that coolant fluid selection has become alot more complex than I previously thought. I have read that it isn't wise to mix coolant brands and/or types in some of these vehicles. I don't mind spending the money on what it really needs, but I don't really know what to buy for radiator coolant. I am leaning towards a distilled water flush (several times if needed) and then filling with 100% coolant in the end, but I am also open to a 50/50 flush and fill a few times if need be. The radiator does not appear to be dirty inside, but I would like to start with a clean slate on the fluid. My questions are this on the 08 Altima:
1-What brand/kind of coolant would you recommend? Again, I would prefer out of habit to use 100% strength, but would seriously consider a 50/50. I don't mind spending some money to get the right/best fluid if I have to.
2-What kind of flush would you use? Distilled water? 50/50 flush? Prestone type of flush? Again, I'm kind of extreme when I flush. I'm known to do it 3-4-5-6 times if I need to. I want my radiator clean.
07 Dodge Dakota-Just installed a new Jasper rebuilt engine in it 2500 miles ago (has a total of 118K on it). Mechanic filled it with the "house brand" universal coolant (I think Autozone). Will that suffice or should I refill with a more ideal brand?
Thanks so much in advance for your help!