Peak "Original Green" application questions

[Touring5]

I have a '87 Buick (3.8L V-6) that has been getting Prestone "All Makes, All Models" for the last couple of fills. Those two fills were about 4 years each. BTW, this car only sees about 2000 miles of mostly non-highway operation a year.

Now, after reading this forum, I realize that the Prestone stuff may not be the optimum coolant for this old Buick. So today I picked up a couple of jugs of Peak "Original Green" Antifreeze & Coolant at Advance Auto. I hope this is closer to what the original coolant was for this vintage vehicle.

I always drain the radiator and then do a "power flush" with the inline "T" fitting on one of the heater hoses to fully flush the system. I don't usually add any flush/cleaner products. Anyway, here's my questions:

1. Is this Peak "Original" the proper choice for this Buick?

2. Any issues with using it after having used the yellow Prestone coolant for the last 8 years? Would it be necessary to use a flush/cleaner product when I do the change?

3. Would 3 years be OK change interval using the Peak stuff?

I have to admit that it's pretty confusing with all the different coolant types these days. At least the BMW is easy - I just stick with the OEM blue plus distilled aqua pura..

Thanks in advance....

 

[Sayjac]

1. According to the coolant charts, Peak 'Original Green' should be fine for an OE application for 87 GM models.

2. If using a flushing T, no need to add a cleaner like Prestone 10 min. flush. That said, it's a citric acid formula, doubt it would hurt ( I've used it many times). But, flushing T should work great alone. Before aluminum heads and block with distilled water recommendation, used a flushing T regularly.

3. 3 years 'might' be a bit long, check owners manual interval. IMO, good for 2 years/~24k anyway.

 

[ahoier]

Peak "yellow" coolant? Are you talking the fluid is yellow? or the bottle being yellow?

If the bottle, Prestone has two flavors of "universal" coolant...


Personally, I'd stick with the original green stuff, since that's likely what they used "back in the day" off the assembly line....not the new-fangled "DexCool" stuff on our shelves today..

 

[Touring5]

Originally Posted By: ahoier
Peak "yellow" coolant? Are you talking the fluid is yellow? or the bottle being yellow?

If the bottle, Prestone has two flavors of "universal" coolant...


No. The previous coolant was PRESTONE "All Makes/All Models" which was yellowish (the bottle was yellow as well). That would have been purchased in '07.

Sounds like the Peak (green) I just bought is the right stuff

 

[229]

You have a good plan. I like your aluminum intake manifold, GM downgraded to plastic in 1995 on the Series II.

 

[bluestream]

Engine anti-freeze is much over-sold. I have been changing mine at 10 year intervals or when it begins to look dirty with no signs of any rust or corrosion in my engines.

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Engine anti-freeze is much over-sold. I have been changing mine at 10 year intervals or when it begins to look dirty with no signs of any rust or corrosion in my engines.
They're your vehicles, but I would be afraid of silicate drop-out and resulting water pump damage, and pH going acidic and damaging my cooling system if you let it go that long. I've seen neglected systems that drained green sand out of the block, radiator, and lower hose when drained!

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Engine anti-freeze is much over-sold. I have been changing mine at 10 year intervals or when it begins to look dirty with no signs of any rust or corrosion in my engines.


Depending on the formulation, 10 years is way too long, especially if you're talking about "green". Going by sight and waiting till "it looks dirty", means you've waited too long. By that time, the coolant has lost it's corrosion protecting abilities and damage has already occurred.

 

[229]

I like repairing cooling systems but hey the customer saved $40 on coolant. The antifreeze will never freeze. What's the big deal about additives? The acidic level keeps my radiator looking clean at the fill opening. If gaskets or the water pump fail there must be some other cause.