R56 Is Prestone 50/50 extended life antifreeze & coolant good?
#1
Is Prestone 50/50 extended life antifreeze & coolant good?
After doing a search on coolant, I am wondering if I bought the right one. I bought mine at Autozone, Part Number AF-2100.
It is Ethylene Glycol and said compatible with ANY antifreeze/coolant regardless of color- for use in all makes or mode of cars and light duty trucks.
Premixed with 50% demineralized water for easy top off use.
Am I okay?
It is Ethylene Glycol and said compatible with ANY antifreeze/coolant regardless of color- for use in all makes or mode of cars and light duty trucks.
Premixed with 50% demineralized water for easy top off use.
Am I okay?
#2
If your Prestone 50/50 has "Dex-Cool" on the container, it's probably not quite right for your MINI (but great for GM cars).
When I did a search on antifreeze last year, I found several relevant threads. I don't remember all the appropriate antifreezes, but I do remember that Zerex G-05 was one of them because that was the easiest for me to find nearby. It's phosphate free (one criterion), came in a gold colored container, and even had "Mini Cooper" listed among the applications.
When I did a search on antifreeze last year, I found several relevant threads. I don't remember all the appropriate antifreezes, but I do remember that Zerex G-05 was one of them because that was the easiest for me to find nearby. It's phosphate free (one criterion), came in a gold colored container, and even had "Mini Cooper" listed among the applications.
#3
#4
You might have a coolant leak. Check under the engine for wet spots in the morning. If there's no evidence of a leak, top up the coolant to the max line and check the level more frequently.
The thermostat housing gasket leak is fairly common, as is a split coolant reservoir in the MCS. You probably can't detect the former leak, but can check the coolant reservoir by feeling around underneath for coolant.
The thermostat housing gasket leak is fairly common, as is a split coolant reservoir in the MCS. You probably can't detect the former leak, but can check the coolant reservoir by feeling around underneath for coolant.
#5
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#8
fwiw, when I had a leak from my heat exchanger, the coolant was leaking out and landing on the exhaust. So it would just evaporate and never leave any puddles. Finally happened to park on an incline one day that caused it to drip out at a different angle.
If you can't find any signs of a leak, I think you would have to get them to perform a pressure test on the coolant system to determine whether there are any leaks.
If you can't find any signs of a leak, I think you would have to get them to perform a pressure test on the coolant system to determine whether there are any leaks.
#9
Per prior posts, either BMW/Mini OEM or else G11
Simple answer is why fool around, just buy the Mini stuff. It is relatively competitively priced (for the right formula that is). The other alternate is something marked G11, commonly the Pentosin brand (of G11, not G12) sold in some specialty or foreign car parts stores.
#11
I think he means BMW branded antifreeze/coolant that one can buy from BMW and MINI dealers. They sell BMW branded oils too. BMW doesn't make that stuff, but they approve it. You can't miss that way, but you'll pay more.
I use Zerex G-05 for the MINI and BMW; it reads for BMW and Mini Cooper on the front of the container. On the back is an application chart to help you sort it all out for those and other kinds of cars.
I use Zerex G-05 for the MINI and BMW; it reads for BMW and Mini Cooper on the front of the container. On the back is an application chart to help you sort it all out for those and other kinds of cars.
#12
If the coolant is orange, drain it yesterday. It is the biggest scourge on the planet, it eats aluminum engine parts and will destroy your engine. GM has been using this crap under the trade name DexCool for years and their problems are endemic but they are too bull-headed to admit they screwed up.
Type in "DexCool" in Dogpile Search and see how many thousands of negative posts come up. Drain out the garbage, put in the green and change it every 2 yrs, your MINI will thank you profusely. My Cobalt , purchased brand new, had it too and I flushed it all the first chance I had.
Type in "DexCool" in Dogpile Search and see how many thousands of negative posts come up. Drain out the garbage, put in the green and change it every 2 yrs, your MINI will thank you profusely. My Cobalt , purchased brand new, had it too and I flushed it all the first chance I had.
#14
#16
I have to take back my previous "gelling" statement. This is definitely up for debate but really the largest danger is MINI owners that don't change their coolant at all.
I'm using Prestone in my R56 after flushing out the pricey BMW blue. I plan to flush every two years to keep everything in the cooling system fresh. If there is any other way to escape BMW special tools, parts, or fluids... DO IT!
I'm using Prestone in my R56 after flushing out the pricey BMW blue. I plan to flush every two years to keep everything in the cooling system fresh. If there is any other way to escape BMW special tools, parts, or fluids... DO IT!
#17
I'll add my dos pesos to this conversation by saying I just bought an 06 MCS and researching all I can about it. One of my questions was proper type of antifreeze. Excellent information on this forum.
As I have an unlimited supply of this, I thought ya'll might be interested.
Looks as though this is as pure as it gets and is rated for 600,000 miles changes in the big rigs.
Now, to look for my other two questions. Best tires and preferred oil!
As I have an unlimited supply of this, I thought ya'll might be interested.
Shell Rotella Extended Life Anti Freeze is ethylene glycol based coolant for heavy-duty diesel, gasoline and natural gas powered engines. Rotella ELC is formulated with unique extended life corrosion inhibitors and meets industry requirements. Coolant contains no silicate, borate, nitrate or phosphate and requires no traditional SCA additions.
Available in both 50/50 premixed and concentrated gallons.
Available in both 50/50 premixed and concentrated gallons.
Now, to look for my other two questions. Best tires and preferred oil!
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