Not another coolant post! - What kind of Coolant to use? | FerrariChat
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Not another coolant post! - What kind of Coolant to use?

Discussion in '360/430' started by arachnyd, May 28, 2016.

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  1. arachnyd

    arachnyd Karting

    Feb 5, 2016
    129
    Springboro
    #1 arachnyd, May 28, 2016
    Last edited: May 28, 2016
    Yes I searched. In fact I searched for hours. After my hours of searching there were so many different recommendations that clearly don't make sense, that I'm at a loss, so I was hoping someone gives me some pointers here.

    Glycoshell - My understanding is ONE place might still have some in inventory, but if that might not going to be true in 6 to 12 months, I don't want to tie myself to a standard that won't fly.

    So I see recommendations for Pentosin SF, Pentosin NF, G-05, BMW Blue, and G-48. G48 seems to include both zerex and comma. Then a few people say "Anything aluminum safe from autozone"

    Comma is not readily available in the states.

    Comparing tech sheets, Pentosin NF seems closest to Glycoshell... but Pentosin SF is what I read is what ferrari dealers are using, even though its pink instead of blue. In fact Pentosin NF is closest to the BMW coolant so many people swear by, and seems to be it's replacement.
    G-48 seems like the better choice over G-05. I'm leaning towards g-48 but thats just because my brain says Pentosin NF is better while the forums seem to lean towards SF.

    If I just went off spec sheets, I'd choose Pentosin NF. I was leaning towards Zerex G-48, just because the Pentosin doesn't pass the smell test! haha. That is supposedly the same fluid as BMW Blue, but then again my understanding is Mercedes switched FROM G-48 to G05, and Xerex G48 is hard to find. Odd because G-48 seems to test better based on Valvolines' own testing.

    Ferrari says 50/50 but I think G48 and g05 should be 70% antifreeze to 30% water for maximum cold and hot performance.

    Can someone confirm SF is what the dealers really are using? Is there any other selection that most closely matches the glycoshell?

    I'm on the verge of getting zerex G-05. $9.75/Gallon at Pepboys on sale this week almost makes me feel like I'm putting junk in my car... At least the Pentosin is $13 a liter, it makes me FEEL like I' buying the right stuff...
     
  2. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,010
    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    Terry H Phillips
    #2 tazandjan, May 28, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    G-48 does not have nitrites and Ferraris need nitrites for the wet liners. G-05 does have nitrites and Zerex G-05 works great. Remember, all those Mercedes, Porsche and BMW engines do not have wet liners, so G48 works fine in their engines. Not in yours.

    But to be real honest, if you change the coolant every year or two, any of them will work. The problem of liner cavitation erosion happens on cars with coolant that has been in there for years and all the anti-corrosion additives are gone. Ferrari still does not have a recommended coolant change interval, and that has ruined many an engine and cooling system.

    Note the reference to cylinder liners in the G-05 specs. The reason the G-05 is inexpensive is that they sell a ton of the stuff. That is what is in mine.

    Ethylene glycol does not absorb as much heat as water, so I would stick with a 50/50 mixture.
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  3. mr_bock

    mr_bock Formula 3

    Oct 27, 2006
    1,373
    FL full time
    #3 mr_bock, May 28, 2016
    I have been using what BMW sells for use in a 2002 M5. My M5 is a aluminum block engine. I also run a Zionsville aluminum radiator and have had no issues. In addition, I add Water Wetter. Do a web search to learn more.

    I do a full system drain and flush first before refill. This is done maybe every three years. Oh, make sure you use distilled water for the anti-freeze mix and bleed the system!!!
     
  4. shad99

    shad99 Formula Junior

    Dec 12, 2013
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    Andy
    #4 shad99, May 28, 2016
    I use Zerex G-05 and change annually.
     
  5. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    Dec 29, 2006
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    #5 2NA, May 28, 2016
    G-05
     
  6. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    Apr 26, 2006
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    #6 fastradio, May 28, 2016
    G-05 here as well
     
  7. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 Kevin Rev'n, May 28, 2016
    Very timely guys! this is on my 60 day look ahead!
     
  8. Jgivoo

    Jgivoo Formula Junior
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    Jan 22, 2016
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    #8 Jgivoo, May 28, 2016
    Ferrari of North Jersey is using Shell Zone Multi Vehicle Extended life. In a call to Ferrari of Ft Lauderdale, they are using Prestone.


    G-05 is the way to go
     
  9. hessank

    hessank Formula 3
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    #9 hessank, May 28, 2016
    Mine used BMW blue
     
  10. arachnyd

    arachnyd Karting

    Feb 5, 2016
    129
    Springboro
    #10 arachnyd, May 28, 2016
    G05 it is then!!

    Thank you all so much for weighing in and helping clarify!

    I'm sure some of the others are fine, but the g05 looks like a good choice.
     
  11. 24000rpm

    24000rpm F1 Rookie

    Aug 31, 2012
    4,650
    China and California
    #11 24000rpm, May 29, 2016
    somebody might hate my remarks, but the following is my personal testament:

    I used all kinds of coolants, including red, blue, green, pink, all brands, and sometimes even mix them up together, for full 3 years in my 360 modena, for about 10,000+ km with absolutely no problem with any part of the cooling system, no leaking, no nothing, even the heat exchanger is good when I was replacing it preventively

    I maybe just lucky.

    not sure why the fuss about the coolant......i understand that the coolant has chemicals that will corrodes certain things in the system but ... i think its really miminial.

    like if I smoke i'll live to 75 and if I don't, i'll die at 76 kinda thing
     
    Phemes likes this.
  12. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 19, 2008
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    #12 tazandjan, May 29, 2016
    Yup, I hate them.

    Fred- BMW Blue is basically a G-48 type coolant. Ask BMW and they will tell you it does not need to be changed, just like my Mercedes and Porsche techs told me. I told them there is no such thing as permanent coolant and to change it.
     
  13. hessank

    hessank Formula 3
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    #13 hessank, May 29, 2016
    Last edited: May 29, 2016

    Thanks Terry.
    I was gonna change it every year but maybe that's overkill. So I will change it every 2 years.
     
  14. ideloera

    ideloera Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2015
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    #14 ideloera, May 29, 2016

    You can buy two gallons of Zerex G-05 (full strength) @ pep boys for like $30 bucks. All you would need are another 2 gallons of distilled water at about $.87 cents each gallon and you can do the coolant change. Pretty cheap, change it yearly if you can.


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  15. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 tazandjan, May 29, 2016
    Fred- If I had a 360 with the coolant/transaxle fluid intercooler, I would change annually just to make sure that intercooler has not sprung a leak. Same for transaxle fluid. If either shows contamination, time for a new intercooler and a lot of flushing.
     
  16. RBarbieri

    RBarbieri Karting

    Feb 11, 2014
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    Rich Barbieri
    #16 RBarbieri, Jun 2, 2016
    Is every other year on an F430 reasonable?
     
  17. KM1959

    KM1959 Formula Junior

    Nov 12, 2014
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    #17 KM1959, Jun 2, 2016
    Ferrari of Los Angeles told me it was.
     

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