Red coolant & why?...

MA70-3.0GT · 11-19-2009, 05:01 PM

OK so I know why Toyota's red coolant shouldn't be mixed with blue glycol formulas, but is there any reason why one couldn't use purely the blue stuff if the system was flushed of all the red first?

Just wondering as the red stuff's a bit hard to find round here (at least it is at non-stupid prices!) and my car's a bit weak having been topped up with about 2 litres of water, plus I'm going to flush the system out anyway to make sure it's all clear of debris, also I need to change the thermostat and gauge sender. If the red coolant is the only option then I guess I'll have to splash out (NO pun intended!!!) and get the real deal, but if blue glycol with no silicates is ok on it's own, It'll save quite a few of my very tight pounds...

Cheers, Dan.

Bill UK · 11-19-2009, 10:38 PM

I don’t know about that one Dan, I've only used the red stuff mainly because of other Supra owner’s recommendations. You’re right about the price though, very expensive! You could buy 4 large chickens for that price. I did take my cylinder head into a machine shop for a skim some years ago and they commented on how clean and pit free the coolant galleries where, as I said I've only used the red Toyota coolant (since 1986.5)

MA70-3.0GT · 11-20-2009, 12:32 PM

Yeah, I seem to recall reading that blue Glycol was thought to be responsible for erosion of parts of the cooling system, although I can't see how this would work if I'm honest, as many bi-metallic engines do use "normal" coolant & are fine with it. I know with some 6 cylinder BMW's the head can erode if the earth strap to the block goes bad, apparently because the starter & ignition system then earths through the next shortest route, which is through the cooling system & the head!
Also with my Honda CX500, you can't use coolant that contains silicates as they erode the ceramic water pump seal. If that were the problem with the 7M then the blue Glycol I use would be OK as it's a silicate free formula that I use in said Honda.

Anyhoo, if I can't find anything definitive one way or the other I'll just bite the bullet & do without my weekly Chicken supply!

11-19-2009, 05:01 PM	#1
MA70-3.0GT 12psi boost Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Crewe, England Posts: 356	Red coolant & why?... OK so I know why Toyota's red coolant shouldn't be mixed with blue glycol formulas, but is there any reason why one couldn't use purely the blue stuff if the system was flushed of all the red first? Just wondering as the red stuff's a bit hard to find round here (at least it is at non-stupid prices!) and my car's a bit weak having been topped up with about 2 litres of water, plus I'm going to flush the system out anyway to make sure it's all clear of debris, also I need to change the thermostat and gauge sender. If the red coolant is the only option then I guess I'll have to splash out (NO pun intended!!!) and get the real deal, but if blue glycol with no silicates is ok on it's own, It'll save quite a few of my very tight pounds... Cheers, Dan. __________________ '89 MA70 Supra GT aero 3.0turbo JDM, Rebuilt motor, K&N intake, 3" stainless turbo-back. New turbo and braided line kit... '89 Honda NC27 400, NC23 cams, open pipe, PC36a shock & possibly Showa USD forks... '83 Yamaha 29R XJ750E-II, number 69 off the line, only runner in the country? Original except Koni shocks '95 Honda PC26 CB500R, Winter hack, hateful, trying to sell it I'm not paranoid, they really ARE after me!!!

11-20-2009, 12:32 PM	#3
MA70-3.0GT 12psi boost Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Crewe, England Posts: 356	Yeah, I seem to recall reading that blue Glycol was thought to be responsible for erosion of parts of the cooling system, although I can't see how this would work if I'm honest, as many bi-metallic engines do use "normal" coolant & are fine with it. I know with some 6 cylinder BMW's the head can erode if the earth strap to the block goes bad, apparently because the starter & ignition system then earths through the next shortest route, which is through the cooling system & the head! Also with my Honda CX500, you can't use coolant that contains silicates as they erode the ceramic water pump seal. If that were the problem with the 7M then the blue Glycol I use would be OK as it's a silicate free formula that I use in said Honda. Anyhoo, if I can't find anything definitive one way or the other I'll just bite the bullet & do without my weekly Chicken supply! __________________ '89 MA70 Supra GT aero 3.0turbo JDM, Rebuilt motor, K&N intake, 3" stainless turbo-back. New turbo and braided line kit... '89 Honda NC27 400, NC23 cams, open pipe, PC36a shock & possibly Showa USD forks... '83 Yamaha 29R XJ750E-II, number 69 off the line, only runner in the country? Original except Koni shocks '95 Honda PC26 CB500R, Winter hack, hateful, trying to sell it I'm not paranoid, they really ARE after me!!! Last edited by MA70-3.0GT; 11-20-2009 at 12:35 PM. Reason: Chicken chasing...

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11-19-2009, 10:38 PM	#2
Bill UK AEM EMS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 891	I don’t know about that one Dan, I've only used the red stuff mainly because of other Supra owner’s recommendations. You’re right about the price though, very expensive! You could buy 4 large chickens for that price. I did take my cylinder head into a machine shop for a skim some years ago and they commented on how clean and pit free the coolant galleries where, as I said I've only used the red Toyota coolant (since 1986.5)