Aluminum Radiator - Coolant

[MSKBuick]

For those who have changed from the copper/brass stock radiator to the aluminum aftermarket ones, have you changed to different coolant for the aluminum radiator? Thoughts?

 

[Myty]

Pre mix 50/50 is fine!

 

[m233roller]

Use distilled water and RMI - 25

 

[novaderrik]

pretty much anything but Dexcool is the way to go.

 

[Red C5]

Just 50/50 for me as well.

 

[bluezone]

50/50 Premix for me to...

 

[jlat]

hello people; I had my alum. rad. put in by one of the sites favorite guru. He uses the 50/50 mix. And that is what I'am going to use for now.
Here's a funny thing as I'am hearing good stuff about the RMI additive. I remove about 20 oz. of cold rad. fluid and when I go to put in the 11 oz. of RMI it won't take the whole bottle. The little remaining I put in the overflow.I thought that was weird.
IBBY

 

[MSKBuick]

Aluminum Radiator coolant

Thanks for the info guys, I will probably use a 50/50 mix.

 

[ChevMCarlo84]

50/50 premix as well.

Alum. rad + 160º stat. + dual 11" SPAL fans = 165-170º in 95º traffic.

 

[davidf]

Evans NPG+ for me. About to switch to NPG-R.
NPG-R Engine Cooling Systems

 

[jlat]

hello people; David F lets here more on that additive. I see your from a hot area of the country. Have you used it long?
I've had the RMI in for one day and I do see a temp. drop but I did'nt bring my scantool to get a real reading as my pod junk gage is wrong.
IBBY

 

[Nick Micale]

Thanks for the info guys, I will probably use a 50/50 mix.

Contrary to what the majority has stated here, a 50/50 mix is NOT the best way to protect any radiator, especially an alum one.

Not sure of their experience, but for over 30 years I have dealt with brutal summer temps in all kinds of vehicles, and I can assure you the best method I have found is using RMI-25, with or without antifreeze.

We do NOT use A/F locally as it does not hard freeze in the winter. Since A/F does not transfer heat nearly as well as water, we avoid it as much as possible.

A/F has a real bad trait called "silicate dropout" which is that white, hard residue that forms around the tube ends where you can see it, and in the middle of the tubes where you cannot.

When you think about it, your cooling system is actually a "battery"? Why, because it contains dis-similar metals in a solution and it will generate a small current.

Lots of things going on in there that RMI-25 has been formulated to protect. Not to bash WaterWetter, but is does have some of the same properties, but not enough to completely protect the cooling system components. This is not an opinion, but experience, and not good ones.

If you must have freeze protection, then add RMI to the system. The additive package in A/F is minimal at best, and goes away REAL fast in hot temps.

Ideal solution, flush A/F in the Spring, run water and RMI through the summer, add the A/F and RMI for the freezing temps.

With either method, we have vehicles that have radiators, including alum ones, that look absolutely like new after ten years or more of the RMI treatment. I have NEVER replaced a heater core in any TR that has been using RMI, and I have over 20 years of dealing with these cars.

I introduced RMI-25 to the Buick world in the early '90's and have sold LOTS with never a downside, but MANY boosters like Mike that have experienced the same excellent results that I have.

 

[davidf]

hello people; David F lets here more on that additive. I see your from a hot area of the country. Have you used it long?
I've had the RMI in for one day and I do see a temp. drop but I did'nt bring my scantool to get a real reading as my pod junk gage is wrong.
IBBY

I used it in both my previous MR2 turbo's, my 03 GTI running 20 PSI with zero heating issues. Click the link for info. I guess I've used it a total of 15 years with no problems. I'm swtitching to the new R because it's slightly thinner than the +. + is more like 10w motor oil. I think the R will flow better.

 

[davidf]

Nick, if you don't mind my asking. You are running just water! Should it be distilled water? Is 1 bottle of RMI enough for water pump lub? I've been a big fan of evans coolant for many years but will not turn a deaf ear to you more knowledgable guys. Thanks

 

[m233roller]

I'll throw in my 2 cents worth as myself and ALL my buddy's up here run disstilled water and RMI-25. Nick got me on RMI-25 in the 90's. Threw the years Iv'e seen 6 to 14 degrees cooler temps when running it in different cars and freinds cars. I have an OLD Tony DeQuick (CAS) aluminum rad. in my car and I play hell to get it to 170 in 90 degree weather. Also the rad. still looks NEW inside. I do flush my system every other year and ad new RMI-25 and distilled water. Waterwetter doesn't have a very good lubricant package and after a couple of years you'll see rust in your cooling system. As Nick has stated many times on this subject, there is NO better transfer of heat than WATER !!

 

[jlat]

hello people; M233 what part of the country are you from? If you don't know I'am a A Hole from Mass.
IBBY

 

[davidf]

Ya know it's worth a try. With Evans at $33.00 a gallon I got nothing to lose and hopefully some gain. Who sells the RMI 25 here?

 

[m233roller]

jlat,
I'm up here in Spokane, Wa. Been in the mid. 90's here for awhile.

 

[gnxtc2]

Another RMI-25 and distilled water user. Temps barely get over 160* with a front mount.

Another thing, running A/F on the track is no-no.

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

 

[davidf]

Who sells the RMI-25 on this site? I'd like to get some soon. Thanks:smile: