What Coolant for Perkins 4.108?

[Idratherbesailing]

What sort of coolant (antifreeze) is appropriate for the freshwater side of a 1979 Perkins 4.108? I am assuming a 50/50 mix of "green" antifreeze and water will work..any one got any information on this? The workshop manual I have refers to a 25% mix of some British spec coolant from the 70's that I cannot cross reference.....Im a little worried because of the aluminum header tank on the engine...

 

[Brian M H23]

Modern engines

Have a combo of all sorts of things in them...the "extended life" antifreezes are better formulated in general for aluminum/iron interaction, chrysler antifreeze even deals with some magnesium parts, I belive. But for the most part, any coolant checked once in a while will be fine. If the gren stuff ceases to be green and has lots of stuff floating in it next year, then you have a problem. But most likely, it wont.

 

[KennyY]

Most are good but some are excellent

Most anti-freeze will work fine if you change it often. The best long life is the G07 type which you can fine at auto zone but is slightly more expensive. Both Toyota and Honda have high-tec coolants which are even better than G07 but even more expensive. This is one area where I would not skimp and use the best which is any of the above.

 

[higgs]

I like a 50/50 mix....

that way if I need to add collant for any reasonit is easy to keep the mix at 50/50.

 

[Rob Morton]

2nd the 50/50

mix. This actually gives you the best protection. If you go straight antifreeze you don't have as good of protection (from freezing) as you do with a 50/50 mix. If you ever set staight antifreeze out it will freeze sooner than a mix. Rob Morton