Aluminum radiator question.

[yodabiri]

My old two row original radiator finally quit with a (third to date) split weld on the top tank and a broken hose neck. Anyways I ordered an aluminum 2 row radiator on ebay and got it yesteday and put it in. It really looks quite snazzy in there with the really bright shine. Anyways, my question regards the coolant I need to use. After having a VW vanagon with leaking aluminum heads I heard lots of things about aluminum interacting badly with the normal green coolant due to its acidity or whatever. Are these worries unfound or would they not apply to a radiator as much as a block or heads? Should I switch to a different coolant like the orange stuff?


Thanks in advance!

 

[MustangSix]

Normal green coolant in a 50-50 mix is fine in my experience. I would tend to stay away from the orange stuff.

 

[66 Fastback]

The green stuff is fine. They have been making it with an aluminum compatible additive package for many years now.

The orange stuff has not been without its own set of problems and most manufacturers are making a product that they claim is compatible with all coolants now.
Doug

 

[Eric Rose]

Yeah, the Vanagons with the vasserboxers have a lot of problems. VW originally equipped them with blue coolant called G-11, then they had a big recall when it turned out G-11 was corrosive to some of the heads.

I was thinking of flushing all the green stuff out of my Falcon and going with the VW G12+ stuff (which is purple). A bit more expensive but the VW guys swear by it and their cars contain cast iron, aluminum, and plastic parts in the cooling systems. From what I understand its more environmentally safe than the green stuff as well.

 

[mach1 mark]

Can we see photos of that snazzzy radiator. Living in NC can be rather hot and I was thinking of buying one of those sleezbay radiators, keep us posted and lets see some photos.

 

[page62]

If you want to be different, Zerex G-05 is an excellent choice. It's the same stuff Mercedes uses, and is compatible with most everything...

 

[Harte3]

http://www.radstrips.com/

You can test for chemical balance quite easily.

 

[yodabiri]

Thanks for the responses! I will try and get the pics of the radiator posted. It looks pretty nice. The two rows in this one are huge compared to the two rows in the old radiator, so its probably as thick as a standard 3 or maybe even 4 row.

 

[yodabiri]

Sorry everybody. (or at least those who wanted to see the pictures for the radiator) I dont have anything to take pictures with. When I find my camera, I will post up some pics.