Are thermostat's better off with an addiitive in the ......

adventures_more · Post by **adventures_more** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:23 pm

Driving along in my wee cruiser today that has a crappy 2LT & suddenly notice temp readings in the gauge shoot up ( 1st time in ages ), so pulled over & shut it off with fear of doing a head . So got home & pulled the thermostat out to have a look , its seems a tad rusty & worn , yet is only about 8 months old , rubber seal is cracked , etc. Ran it with a weak mixture of coolant additive,( not going to spend much on this , till i get my next rig ).

Wondering if "Thermostat's require some sort of lubrication that you can put in the Coolant - that stops it sticking at times ? , causing over heating problems @ times or does the normal stuff off the shelf have it already in it ( Anti-sieze/Antifreeze , etc ) ?

If i run it without a thermostat , it just runs cold all the time & runs like shit , I read awhile ago that diesels need to be kept around the 80-87c !

niblik · Post by **niblik** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:30 pm

i reckon definitely run the additive like anitfreeze/antiboil..

insure upon purchase that it has got the correct additive to prevent freezing and boiling..(sorry, cant recall it at this time) you can read on the pack though..

it'll save heartache and peace of mind is a good thing.. :wink:

most engines are designed to run with these chemicals in them from what i believe..

good luck...

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:33 pm

Run coolant...but no more than 60% coolant mix otherwise it won't work.....most modern motors are designed for it....check also your radiator....when was this last taken out and demudded and flushed? pays to get these rodded/checked occasionally

Steve_t647 · Post by **Steve_t647** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:45 pm

run antifreeze and replace the thermostat, you can wire a resistor in its place to get normal running but you have no idea what is happening then.

antifreeze has additives that the engine is designed to run with.

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:47 pm

I was told no more than 40% anti-freeze on the prados due to the alloy head... will corrode at anything higher?!??!

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:58 pm

I'll check that out :lol:

I was told 60%

tallsam66 · Post by **tallsam66** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:55 pm

Its really important to run a good quality anti freeze & corrosion inhibitor.

The glycol will lower the freezing temperature & raise the boiling temp.

The corrosion inhibitor will prevent corrosion of of alloy & steel parts where they touch.

Im not sure how critcal the ratio is...but if you are i a cold climate its real important to have the right amount so it wont freeze.

smurf182 · Post by **smurf182** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:57 pm

Four words:

Genuine Toyota Red Coolant.

One of the main purposes of coolant is to prevent corrosion. All engines have slightly different alloys so why not use a coolant that is certain to be compatible with the metal in your motor? Also for you interest, mixing different brands of coolant is a big no-no.

adventures_more · Post by **adventures_more** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:12 pm

i bought Nulon or something like that , red stuff that's garaunteed for 5 years , seemed like Moreys Oil additive as was amazing how it stuck to the plastic container when i shook it , read the back of the label & it said it did'nt suit Copper core radiators - which mine is , so swapped it for the green 4 yr stuff thats suited to copper core . Just have to buy a new thermostat now , wonder if i can get a hi-flow version or rated lower than 88c which it is ?