correct radiator fluid? Gas Tractor.

Wes Verbal · May 12, 2017

Just flushed radiator out good. Been looking through online post for the Correct fluid for my MMoline Z. I have been running straight water past few weeks to really clean it out. But looking now to find a good fluid to use maybe a 50/50 mix i have been using T-Supply brand but hard to come by as they dont have it in stock alot around here. People must be buying it to drink ha 😊.Anyways i know your not supposed to just by any brand like "all makes models " type fluid but what 50/50 mix is correct at the local Auto parts store can you by that is good for these 70 year old engines and want rust everything out bad.??

Ronnie Budd · May 12, 2017

I buy the straight regular antifreeze (the green stuff) when I find it on sale, and mix it 50/50 myself. I do not worry about brands. It all has rust protection additives. It goes into everything I have, including my antique tractors.

Some of the pricier brands have additional additives, like stop leak, if you need that. I just get a case or two of whatever is on sale for a good price.

Dick2 · May 12, 2017

I started using Long Life Anti-freeze when it first came out. I leave it in the vehicles a lot longer than the "green stuff". One thing that you DO NOT want to do is mix long life with regular green anti-freeze; it will turn into a muddy looking solution that you do not want in your cooling system. If the cooling system doesn't have any leaks, you will be money ahead using Long Life anti-freeze.

I leave the Long Life in the vehicle 7 years before I change it. You understand that anti-freeze does not break down; it just gets dirty and/or diluted. If you turn it in for recycling, all they do is filter it several time to remove impurities, then re-sell it.

caterpillar guy · May 12, 2017

I just use regular green antifreeze in everything. I 'm not going to spend big money on fancy colored stuff. It seems like I need to change it often enough that I don't worry about the length of time it has been in there.
The trucking industry had some problems with the new long life crap back 10-15 years ago with it. Gaskets or something .

rrlund · May 12, 2017

Just make sure the stuff you buy is made to be mixed 50/50. You can buy a "ready to use" that's not meant to be mixed. You don't want that. Just ask somebody at the auto parts store.

wisbaker · May 12, 2017

I used to be against the pre-mixed stuff but not so much anymore. Pre-mixed antifreeze uses distilled or at the minimum de-mineralized water in the mix. That's going to help with the buildup if there is an hardness in the water you mix in. As far as corrosion monitor the Ph of your coolant and make sure you keep it in the neutral range (around Ph of 7).

WGM · May 12, 2017

Anti freeze left in an engine too long turns acidic. Follow the recommendations in the owner's manual.

Leroy · May 12, 2017

I just try to buy the premix 50-50 green and then all I have to do is pour it in. I have always had a hard time getting the type you have to ad water to hard to get equal amounts. And for the ease the bit more that the premix costs it is worth it due to less labor.

Wes Verbal · May 12, 2017

Is the peak 50/50 alright to use? What brand do you guys buy?

ed will · May 12, 2017

Hi, I always buy 100% Prestone antifreeze then mix myself 50/50. If the rad needs only a small top up, I just add it straight. The engine can get hotter without boiling which is good for a diesel. Ed Will Oliver VA BC

Ronnie Budd · May 12, 2017

Yes it is.

jeffcat · May 12, 2017

Yes the mix your own or the 50/50 stuff. If you can change it every few years, that is a good thing. NAPA has that stuff in a bottle to treat the anti freeze. Adds rust inhibitors and pump lube, and anti acidic. I use that too when I just can't change it this fall.

ed will · May 12, 2017

Hi, I always buy 100% Prestone antifreeze then mix myself 50/50. If the rad needs only a small top up, I just add it straight. The engine can get hotter without boiling which is good for a diesel. Ed Will Oliver VA BC

sotxbill · May 12, 2017

First off.. buy only long life.. unless your gonna change it every two years. Long life as the additives needed to fight the acids and more conditioners than the two year stuff..

as to 50/50 mix.. here its only a buck cheaper than a gallon of pure stuff. So unless your too cripped up to mix water and antifreeze.. or unless you have really bad water,,, its cheaper to buy the pure long life and mix it your self... 50/50 is best ratio for "long life" protection as well as good freeze protection so I drain, then add a half gallon of antifreeze, a half gallon of water, then fill it up and use it... then pour a half gallon of the second jug into the empty container and then fill both up.. that way I have a premixed spare for use during the years to top off when needed.

Pair-a-dice farm · May 13, 2017

I don't like the 50/50 stuff. I buy the green antifreeze that mixes with anything and has the anticoagulant in all my tractors and trucks. I can get it at the coop for $8-9 a gallon and I can buy distilled water for 75 cents gallon. The 50/50 at Walmart is over $8.

Wes Verbal · May 13, 2017

I went to Orillies and got 3 jugs of the 50-
50 mix "Orillies "brand.....there jug said
1989 and before. Was trying to stick with
the Original green glycol. I heard that alot
of the Long life and Prestone brands had
them addictive that where made fot plastic
radiator and are bad on Copper core style
ones. My grandfather own a bodyshop for 50
years and when i was young use set set watch
him change radiator cores use say to me if
people never used the right fluids on there
cars id never had a job ha.But guess most
stuff now is somewhat good. As its on ever
auto parts shelf. I talk to most them guys
at local car show here and they all mostly
use the true straight "glycol " insted of
the substitute stuff whuch is in most of all
the new fluids which is made for plastic
radiator etc.guess why figure id stick with
the ol store brand and just change it every
year. ?i had thought on the (Long life)
brand Peak fluids they seem be good.

Leroy · May 13, 2017

The agrivation of mixing to me is not worth the cost difference. First you need 2 clean containers of exact match in size and shape to be able to devide it exactly so you get the correct strength mix. Then you need a third matching container to measure the water in so you get the correct amount. So to do and have all that the cost for those containers will not be cheap then all the extra work, just not worth buying full strength. Then if it is in a jug marked 50-50 and someone else has to add they know what they are putting in, with the full strength they do not know if it was mixed correctly or at all.

correct radiator fluid? Gas Tractor.

Wes Verbal

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Ronnie Budd

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Dick2

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caterpillar guy

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rrlund

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wisbaker

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WGM

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Leroy

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Wes Verbal

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ed will

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Ronnie Budd

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jeffcat

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ed will

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sotxbill

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Pair-a-dice farm

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Wes Verbal

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Leroy

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