Antifreeze/Coolant Service Intervals

In general, Ferrari service intervals are very conservative and include very frequent changes of fluids and filters. There is no service interval for anti-freeze/coolant changes and flushing, however, in my 575M Owners' Manual or WSM and I note the same thing for the 360 Challenge Stradale manual.

Have antifreeze/coolant additives improved to such an extent only topping up is required? Would like to get an opinion from the pros.

Also, what is the best anti-freeze/coolant to use for a Ferrari since it seems difficult to obtain the recommended Glycoshell? Have gone through all the extant threads and the consensus seemed to be Mercedes (Zerex G05)
coolant. Not too impressed with wetting agents, since they seem ill characterized from what I have read.

Should I be flushing and changing my coolant at some regular interval or not? I thought the corrosion inhibiters eventually wore out, but there is no change interval I have seen for late model Ferraris.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

My new findings in all of this hose research I have been involved in (NO, I didnt want to know this much about anything made of rubber) show that 2-3 years is the maximum between flushes. Ferrari's blue antifreeze has an ugly tendency of depositing a near invisible scum on the aluminum components if left in too long, is an excellent insulator and it is a bear to remove once it goes to that point. The hose engineers know what is happening there and have a 15 syllable word for what the deposit is that I wont begin to try to spell. I think the initial flush should be done at the 2 year mark.

The Dexcool antifreeze seems to be OK but it cant be left in safely for anymore than 2 yrs from what I am finding. I can post photo's of a current project where it was left in longer than that and the results are not pretty, this example alone has me shying away from that product now. Discussions with my hose company engineers have me now looking at the new Prestone and the Havoline Gold products but changing brands these days requires a very complete flush out of the old products as many do not mix well regardless of what is advertised. The run of the mill green Ethylene glycol antifreeze seems to mix OK with Ferrari's Shell product if a top up is needed.

There is a whole lot more going on with antifreeze, hose and the cooling systems than most ever think about. The fact that most of our system components are aluminum supported by plastic just adds to the effects we are seeing due to an electrical charge in the cooling system. Ferrari did quite well with the component quality (the prices show that) with the 355 and onwards but fell far short on the earlier cars and this is the first area I am working to upgrade and then will see if the prices can be reduced on the later components after the critical areas are addressed.

I see 2 years between flushes as a safe interval where the downsides of most of the antifreezes currently available wont show up. This is one area where mileage doesn't make a whole lot of difference...2 yrs and get it out of there.

Dave

 

A change interval of two years is recommended by most premium import OEMs. The VW AF is quite good and my preferred choice right now; my old shop used G05 for a long time. There is still a dissimilarity between steel studs and hardware and alloy castings such that an electrolytic (more properly, galvanic) reaction is unavoidable, no matter what the claims of the AF company. Cheap insurance.

<<Oops, Helms beat me again! >>

 

2 years max!

 

One other thing that not a lot of people take into account in cooling system health is having a good reliable earth on the engine.

A mate of mine owns a radiator shop and I have seen VN to VS Commodores (for non Australians a Neanderthal Chevy from down under) that have had brand new radiators.... toast within 6 weeks because of a bad earth.

Make sure that Earth strap is tight and good.

 

Dave, Peter, Pap, Ian- Thanks for the inputs. The car goes in tomorrow for some minor service including putting on a yellow tach face from Ricambi. Might as well have the antifreeze flushed as well. I will look at the Dexcool and also check out what Chevrolet is using on the C6 Corvettes with aluminum engines.

From what you say, Dave, there may be more of a rubber issue than I realized.

Slowly getting everything up to speed. New A/C dryer and coolant tomorrow, as well as power steering fluid.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Here is my question. Do you change the coolant in all of your vehicles every two years or just the Ferraris? Is there something unique about Ferraris or should I change the coolant in my Ford truck every two years also? Do you use a product like the Prestone radiator flush or do you just drain and refill? I guess I had more than one question!

 

I always change coolant every 2 years or so. Also, be sure you have the system flushed with a pressure wash system...you will not believe the crap it will flush out of what appears to be a clean system with nice green or blue coolant...http://www.redhillsupply.com/PFTAF3400.htm

 

1) ALL cars.

2) No, nothing unique about the Ferraris more than any fine car but certain vehicles, most notably Ford Powerstroke diesels, require regular addition of a proprietary additive.

3) NO "flush" of any kind other than water. Can be injurious to seals, wipes and other components.

 

agree with most above, in 2 years max. Radiators if AL and even the engine blocks suffer some damage.

not to mention the one-off heater cores etc. Just change it, don't need to flush but couldn't 'hoit'....if done moderately.

Here is one, someone felt could go longer on a 456 ...NOT me, as I change the fluids every year..cheap maintenance/prevention.

But, ya' don't want that costly repair... thanks Rifledriver
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I just picked up a 94 VR ute, thanks for the tip mate.

 

Pap- We are starting to get some Holdens here, we just call them Pontiacs. The GTO is gone, but now the G8 is available with a C6 Corvette engine as top dog with either 6 speed automatic or manual. Needless to say, the bloody thing is extremely quick.

Rik- I think it will be Valvoline synthetic 0W-40 for me on my next oil change. Seems to be a really good product. $20+ per quart for Shell is overkill, even if the containers do have a little prancing horse on them. Already have Valvoline synthetic in my tranaxle.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I would say that depending on what coolant you are using that you should change it every 2 years. Both the 360 and the 575 use the "GREEN" coolant so do not put anything but that in you system.

 

Ryan- As a member of the only know what I read bunch, what is green coolant? The one with the embittering agent so dogs will not drink it, or something more serious?

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

that would be Prestone.

 

Mitchell- Thanks.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

In my last 4 daily drivers the only one (In about 600,000 miles combined) I ever changed coolant in was my current one when the radiator went bad. The radiator was about $150 and took about an hour to change so I figure I am a bit ahead of the game. But when you have a car whose radiator is rather special and cannot be custom fabricated very well and the radiator cost in the neighborhood of $5000 and the heater core costs about $3000 parts and labor to replace you change the coolant every 2 years.

 

Do not count on dogs not drinking it. They love the taste and I know of them drinking Prestone. It takes less than a tablespoon full to be a lethal dose for a large dog.

 

Brian- I hate it when reality chimes in. Two years it is. Probably overdue because no previous owner ever asked the question.

Local laws on anti-freeze differ. After quite a few canine deaths, we now have a law requiring an embittering agent, which tastes so foul, even you and I could not drink it. I think.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Yeah, the Pontiacs are the go. They haul ass, same as the Holdens here.

 

So the advantage of the two year change is not only to prevent sludge build up but also the radiator, heater core, and related parts last longer. I think I will have to change mine more often. It think I have slacked a little! One quick question, what percentage of antifreeze to distilled water do you guys use? I use 66%antifreeze to 34% distilled. Of course it can get a little chilly here. We just got done with 12 days of -40 or colder with lows down to -52.

 

Sorry about the Neanderthal Commodore, comment I guess they are a fairly reasonable car now.

Just a bit prejudiced, I thought they stopped making good Holdens in 1963 when they dropped the Grey motor….. Now I am showing my age…..

 

You're right mate.

Grey motor.........good?

 

Yep........Grey Motor........ McGee Injection, Weslake 12:1 Pistons, 46 Dodge crank, Repco head 35/75 cam....... basically stock

 

Most companies recommend no greater than a 50/50 mix. There are viscosity issues with greater concentrations of AF, but you sound like you have your own challenges! 50/50 is really safe down to -31 F, which is good enough for most.