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aurgathor
join:2002-12-01
Lynnwood, WA

aurgathor to nunya

Member

to nunya

Re: [Help] Antifreeze conundrum (Mazda)

quote:
I was surprised to learn that prior to the 2006 model year, North American Mazda6 vehicles were not equipped with a P-OAT coolant developed by CCI, the dominant Japanese coolant company. So I did some research. Unlike the Mazda3, Mazda MPV/5, Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Mazda RX-8, CX-7, and CX-9, the North American edition of the Mazda6 is built in Flat Rock MI by AutoAlliance International, a joint venture between Ford and Mazda that is operated by Ford.

Prior to 2009, Ford used G-05 coolant in Ford vehicles equipped with engines jointly developed with Mazda. On the other hand, Ford equipped Mazda6 vehicles prior to the 2006 model year with Motorcraft Specialty Orange Coolant (Dex-Cool). Since Mazda explicitly recommends against coolants containing silicates, Mazda North America evidently chose the only silicate-free coolant in the Motorcraft stable, Dex-Cool, in preference to G-05.

Meanwhile, Mazdas manufactured in Japan were equipped with Mazda-branded P-OAT coolants developed by CCI, Mazda Long Life Coolant (a first-generation P-OAT coolant) prior to 2005 and Mazda FL22 after 2005. FL22 is very similar to extended life coolants used in other Japanese vehicles. In 2006, Ford started equipping Mazda6 vehicles manufactured in North America with FL22, just like Mazdas manufactured in Japan. In 2009, Ford finally recognized the superiority of P-OAT coolants for Ford vehicles with Japanese engineered engines and introduced Motorcraft Specialty Green Coolant (reportedly identical to Mazda FL22) as factory fill in the Ford Edge, Flex, Fusion, Taurus, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKS, MKT and MKX vehicles.

It now looks like Ford Specialty Green Coolant may be the cost-effective alternative to Mazda FL22. Zerex Asian Vehicle Coolant is another option.

»www.bobistheoilguy.com/f ··· =1663564

neonhomer
Dearborn 5-2750
Premium Member
join:2004-01-27
Edgewater, FL

neonhomer

Premium Member

Let's add a iron to the fire.... 99 VW Passat 1.8T... Requires G12 coolant. The local parts jockey says I can just run regular green. Any suggestions? G12 is hard to come by w/o going to VW. Even my local Napa doesn't have it!

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
·Charter

nunya to aurgathor

MVM

to aurgathor
I've seen that post. Except mine isn't the orange stuff. Dex-Cool is a GM product. Mine's red / pink from the factory, and doesn't have the tell-tale "FL22" radiator cap. That's why I have a hard time believing that post.

The Mazda coolant is literally branded "Mazda Long Life" coolant, or something to that effect.

I'll say this: This is probably the last Mazda I'll ever buy. I paid cash for this SOB brand new in 2005. It's had one problem after another. It only has a little over 60,000 miles today. Almost every problem I've had has been widespread, but Mazda never recalled them. I hate car payments, but it's starting to look like a better alternative than spending every other weekend fixing something.

Cho Baka
MVM
join:2000-11-23
there

Cho Baka

MVM

If you are going to sell the car, why bother changing it?

Many long-life coolants are good for ~100,000 miles. What is the interval on yours?

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO

nunya

MVM

I have to replace the thermostat assembly to clear a check engine light. The system has to be drained to get the t-stat assembly out. It's a PITA.
The interval is 105,000 or 60 months.

master1000
join:2001-02-22
Fort Pierre, SD

master1000

Member

Drain into a clean container and reuse.

jrs8084
Premium Member
join:2002-03-02
Statesville, NC

jrs8084 to nunya

Premium Member

to nunya
It has a little over 60K miles and you are working on it every other weekend?!? Unload the POS.

Save and refill as suggested, or toss in the universal stuff-it isn't like it can get much worse.

Beezel
join:2008-12-15
Las Vegas, NV

Beezel to neonhomer

Member

to neonhomer
said by neonhomer:

Let's add a iron to the fire.... 99 VW Passat 1.8T... Requires G12 coolant. The local parts jockey says I can just run regular green. Any suggestions? G12 is hard to come by w/o going to VW. Even my local Napa doesn't have it!

NO!! You can't run regular green in it. Don't trust all the parts jockeys. It will corrode the system.

VW has to run either G11 purple or G12 Pink. Those two can be mixed. They are a phosphate and silicate free antifreeze. I haven't seen anything compatible to date. If you want to use a extended life off the shelf you need to thoroughly flush the entire cooling system first.

G-12 is a permanent antifreeze that doesn't need changed. Unless working on cooling system. So you use the G-12 (G11 isn't made anymore) or flush and convert it to a general extended life. It had something to do with the water quality in Europe that required it to have the specific formula antifreeze. So it is your choice as which to do. But if you convert it don't go with the regular green stuff or you won't be happy with the outcome. Extended life safe for aluminum only.

neonhomer
Dearborn 5-2750
Premium Member
join:2004-01-27
Edgewater, FL

neonhomer

Premium Member

said by Beezel:

If you want to use a extended life off the shelf you need to thoroughly flush the entire cooling system first.

Well, right now the motor is out of the car. I am putting another motor in (because the head is screwed up, and I got a good deal on a used motor). I would like to use the G12, mostly for the wow factor, but also because it's what belongs.

You should see the hoops I am going through to get a VW502/503 spec oil... My local Advance Auto Parts manager said they are starting to carry Pennzoil 5w-40 European formula. He showed me a bottle of it, and it says on the back VW502/503. Just the weight is off.

Beezel
join:2008-12-15
Las Vegas, NV

Beezel

Member

said by neonhomer:

said by Beezel:

If you want to use a extended life off the shelf you need to thoroughly flush the entire cooling system first.

Well, right now the motor is out of the car. I am putting another motor in (because the head is screwed up, and I got a good deal on a used motor). I would like to use the G12, mostly for the wow factor, but also because it's what belongs.

You should see the hoops I am going through to get a VW502/503 spec oil... My local Advance Auto Parts manager said they are starting to carry Pennzoil 5w-40 European formula. He showed me a bottle of it, and it says on the back VW502/503. Just the weight is off.

I wouldn't worry about the factory oil. My 03 GTI 1.8T has been running Valvoline Syntec every since it's first oil change. Haven't had one problem with anything, even the bearings in the turbo are nice and smooth still. Over 103,000 miles and still going strong. Getting ready to replace the timing belt though. That will be fun since you do the water pump at the same time.

neonhomer
Dearborn 5-2750
Premium Member
join:2004-01-27
Edgewater, FL

neonhomer

Premium Member

Already doing it since the motor is out...