Topped off coolant with Prestone

[radroach]

Something that I did perhaps 5000 miles ago, and didn't think much about until now, I topped off the coolant with Prestone antifreeze, and now I'm worried I might have to take it to the dealership for an expensive coolant flush.

Even though it's been a long time and the car is running fine (but with the coolant now more darkish green color), I've been wondering if there's any immediate concern to this. I've read some things from other subaru forums saying the Prestone formula won't interfere with with the Subaru Super Coolant, and the Prestone label says it can be mixed with any color antifreeze.

Thoughts?

[Trust86]

Just change it out to put your mind at ease...
OEM coolant is expensive as fuckkkk but that's what I used when I put my koyorad in

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by Trust86

Just change it out to put your mind at ease...
OEM coolant is expensive as fuckkkk but that's what I used when I put my koyorad in

Originally Posted by radroach

Something that I did perhaps 5000 miles ago, and didn't think much about until now, I topped off the coolant with Prestone antifreeze, and now I'm worried I might have to take it to the dealership for an expensive coolant flush.

Even though it's been a long time and the car is running fine (but with the coolant now more a reddish color), I've been wondering if there's any immediate concern to this. I've read some things from other subaru forums saying the Prestone formula won't interfere with with the Subaru Super Coolant, and the Prestone label says it can be mixed with any color antifreeze.

Thoughts?

I'm with the other guy, it's best to get the flush and put the subaru blue or toyota blue stuff in or some other better quality coolant

[86kahl]

Totaled.

Jk. But the coolant turning a reddish/brown would concern me too. I'd do the flush since it's a simple DIY.


Sent from my toolbox

[humfrz]

Hi ya @radroach .......

My FR-S owners manual says:

“You can use any similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrate and non-borate coolant with long life hybrid organic acid technology”

So, unless you're are a chemist and can “read” the MSDS and chemical ingredients sheets for the type of Prestone you put in there …….OR, you feel lucky, like the others, I’d suggest you drain out whatever possible precipitate(s) you may have created in your car’s cooling system, flush the system and fill it up with Subaru stuff.


humfrz

[radroach]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I'm with the other guy, it's best to get the flush and put the subaru blue or toyota blue stuff in or some other better quality coolant

The fluid my dealership put in at 30k mi. was orange.

[radroach]

And another quick question. So for a DIY engine flush, I should literally stick a hose in my radiator cap to flush it out?

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by radroach

And another quick question. So for a DIY engine flush, I should literally stick a hose in my radiator cap to flush it out?

Originally Posted by radroach

The fluid my dealership put in at 30k mi. was orange.

The dealership isn't using the right coolant!

You'll essentially need three of these:
http://www.fteightysix.com/performan...lant-1-gallon/

OR
three of these:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Subaru-SOA868V9270-Super-Coolant/dp/B007NLOZAU"]Amazon.com: Genuine Subaru SOA868V9270 Super Coolant: Automotive[/ame]

They're both the same fluid except one is $14 cheaper per gallon (subaru one) I used the toyota one to top my car up because I love fteightysix as a store

And follow this guide:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9883

I know the cars only take 8 quarts which means you only would really need 2 gallons, but I'm saying 3 because the third bottle will be used to top off in case of spillage and you need it for the bleeding air step.

[DannyQ86]

Has the coolant turned into a gel or is it still liquid? Mixing coolants that are different than the oem stuff can cause it to gel up and create big problems. I've seen it happen to a friends frs but after the flush everything was fine.

[twag4]

Dude, seriously, prestone is absolutely fine. Just flush it at about 60,000 miles. It is an easy job that you can do yourself fairly cheaply. Prestone will mix fine with the blue stuff. Now the blue stuff just isn't as "long life".

[radroach]

Originally Posted by DannyQ86

Has the coolant turned into a gel or is it still liquid? Mixing coolants that are different than the oem stuff can cause it to gel up and create big problems. I've seen it happen to a friends frs but after the flush everything was fine.

Correction on the color, it's actually a greenish color, not red like I said earlier.

Just went out and shook the reservoir, seems liquid.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by radroach

Correction on the color, it's actually a greenish color, not red like I said earlier.

Just went out and shook the reservoir, seems liquid.

Even jello, when it is cold and you shake it ........ seems liquid ......

(jest ah messen wich ya)

Sorry, it's past my Sunday nap time ....... ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[stevesnj]

If the Prestone is not the same chemistry as the blue you just, in a sense, contaminated the blue coolant rendering it possibly ineffective. If you live in a cold climate the anti-freeze could freeze the water at a warmer temp than it was made for. If something drastic happens to your engine because of bad coolant you are not under warranty.