Motorcraft Gold in Mitsubishi engines

[Falcon_LS]

I've been using nothing but ethylene glycol coolant in my truck, which is what's recommended in the owner's manual, and flushing it all out every 2 years/40,000 km (25,000 miles). My choice of coolant has been Motorcraft Premium Green or DiaQueen Green with distilled water. When I replace my timing belt soon, I'm going to be using Mitsubishi Pre-Mixed Green Coolant (30% ratio) - which I've already purchased.

I hit 25,000 miles in 7-8 months. I was wondering if I could safely switch to Motorcraft Gold at my next interval, and safely push the interval to 1 year/60,000 km (40,000 miles). Any input will be very much appreciated, thanks!

 

[Eddie]

I would go with the factory recomendation. MC Gold & 40,000

 

[StevieC]

I would stick to the more frequent change intervals... Can't beat fresh coolant IMO, and especially in the heat your truck runs in. That has got to take a beating on the coolant.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks guys!

Valid point, Steve...better to keep fresh fluid in there and get rid of all the fine particles of sand that makes its way in.

 

[StevieC]

That, and flush out any corrosion that might have occurred and you are also restoring the fluids additive package.

Fresh fluid all around is just better IMO.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I flush it too often to have any corrosion in there. People think I'm crazy flushing out 'perfectly good' coolant!

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
I flush it too often to have any corrosion in there. People think I'm crazy flushing out 'perfectly good' coolant!

Me too!

 

[onion]

Oddly enough, I agree with Stevie. IMO, antifreeze is relatively cheap and easy to change- unlike radiators, water pumps, and heater cores.

I follow much the same strategery with most automotive fluids.

 

[ZGRider]

Originally Posted By: onion
Oddly enough, I agree with Stevie. IMO, antifreeze is relatively cheap and easy to change- unlike radiators, water pumps, and heater cores.

I follow much the same strategery with most automotive fluids.


Funny, oil is relatively cheap and easy to change too, but I don't replace it every 1000 miles. As a matter of fact, as oil has improved over the years, I have increased my OCIs like many others here at BITOG. Well, coolants have also improved over the years, yet people are advocating reduced replacement intervals?

Doesn't make sense to me.....

 

[onion]

Do what you want.

Personally, I change the engine oil in one of my vehicles at 3000 miles. The other at 5000. Some folks around here prefer extended OCI's. Doesn't make any sense to me considering that an oil sample costs more than an oil change... but it's a free country. Or so I'm told.

The recommended drain interval for Dexcool has certainly increased over what used to be the norm. But I don't consider Dexcool's sludge pandemic an 'improvement'. As such, if I was going to stick with the likes of Dexcool, I'd be replacing the stuff regularly and meticulously maintaining the cooling system. Dexcool does not tolerate neglect well... I've had to clean up the results too many times.

Even with a good coolant like G05, I don't see any reason to push that 5-year limit. I think it's worthwhile to do a drain & fill every 2-3 years. You know... 'cause coolant is cheap and easy to change. Unlike radiators and such.

 

[ZGRider]

Originally Posted By: onion
Do what you want.

Personally, I change the engine oil in one of my vehicles at 3000 miles. The other at 5000. Some folks around here prefer extended OCI's. Doesn't make any sense to me considering that an oil sample costs more than an oil change... but it's a free country. Or so I'm told.

The recommended drain interval for Dexcool has certainly increased over what used to be the norm. But I don't consider Dexcool's sludge pandemic an 'improvement'. As such, if I was going to stick with the likes of Dexcool, I'd be replacing the stuff regularly and meticulously maintaining the cooling system. Dexcool does not tolerate neglect well... I've had to clean up the results too many times.

Even with a good coolant like G05, I don't see any reason to push that 5-year limit. I think it's worthwhile to do a drain & fill every 2-3 years. You know... 'cause coolant is cheap and easy to change. Unlike radiators and such.



First of all, let me say that when coolants are being discussed, I'm am never referring to Dexcool (anyone that thinks it's coolant is a fool.) But, like you said, G-05 has a 5 year replacement interval and I honor that, otherwise I would just use conventional green antifreeze and change it every 2-3 years.

However, nearly all conventional oils are guaranteed for 5,000 miles and many synthetics are good for 7500 to 10,000 miles why change them in 3000 miles? There is no reason for the oil manufacturers to improve oil if people are going to practice ancient OCIs rituals. I normally agree with your coolant recommendations because I felt that you were a logical person, but I can't relate to wasting oil or coolant and putting it back into the environment unnecessarily.

All the auto manufacturers are recommending extended OCIs and extended coolant replacement. The only real choice is which brand and type to use. Those of you that cling to the old "myth" of changing your oil every 3000 miles, shame on you and remember where you got that brain-washing -- from the "quick-change" oil retailers and old oil commercials, not from the auto manufacturers.

 

[onion]

Quote:
shame on you

Seriously? I'm being shamed?

Like I said, do what you want. But my daily driver is 16 years old with about 175,000 miles- been paid off for 13 years, doesn't owe me a dime. It gets lots of short trips, stop-and-go driving, and often doesn't get fully warmed up. An oil change costs me about $14 (for a gallon of Delvac 15w40 and an AC oil filter). So I'll continue to change the oil at 3000 miles.

Not saying it's necessary by any means, nor am I browbeating others to do the same. But for $14 and 20 minutes of work a few times a year... I find it hard to justify NOT changing the oil regularly. Environmental conscience, BITOG status, or any duty improve oil quality- none of my concern. Sorry if you don't approve.

Now, my wife drives about 25 miles to work. Her vehicle is quite a bit newer and is driven almost entirely at highway speeds. So I have no reservations about changing the (cheap conventional) oil at 5000 miles.

And with G05, I know that I could leave the stuff in for 5 years/100k miles and likely never have a problem. But $30 worth of antifreeze and half an hour's tinkering every 2-3 years isn't much money or trouble. And my cooling systems are spotless, with the original radiators (the wife's car with 202,000 miles even has the original hoses). Not suggesting by any means that this is necessary- but it's cheap insurance IMO.

And Stevie here was talking about Dexcool. Personally, I wouldn't run the stuff if it was FREE. But if somebody is going to put that garbage into their cooling system, then I would definitely advise them to keep it fresh.

 

[Dan55]

+1 on short trips and 3000 mile OCI

 

[artificialist]

I would never run MC-gold in a Mitsubishi, because their antifreeze is a non-silicate that happens to be dyed green.

I saw how that killed a water pump in my mom's Mitsubishi van, so I avoid silicate coolants in Japanese cars at all costs.