I noticed Needswings sells a coolant additive. I'm thinking about adding a bottle of Royal Purple Purple Ice. Anyone know of any issues with adding it?

I haven't found a drain plug. What's the easiest location to drain a little coolant?

 

The drain plug is on the bottom of the radiator on the drivers side. You loosen the red plug with a flathead screwdriver. You'll have to take off the plastic shield to see it, if I remember correctly.

One note, draining a little isn't really gonna help. What you add will just sit in the overflow tank. You really need to: drain, mix, refill and purge. Has your coolant ever been changed? If not, maybe this is the time to change it out. If you do, be sure to stick with the proper coolant type (ie: NOT Dex-cool, univetrsal or the green stuff).

 

You would be better of replacing the fluid if it has not been done lately. The fluid has corrosion inhibitors in it all ready unless it's worn out through age, so why add any more. As for any extra cooling I'd say that was minimal and not required.

Your car and money though so do what you want.

 

hmmm......seems strage - newbie here...but
if we are so pedantic about the MB coolant used due for compliance with seals, impeller cavitation at high temps on either the water pump and SC water pump.....
does the NW stuff come with a guarante that it is compliant and wont damage your system?

There are some potentially big gains to be had with these additives (if done correctly) - so I'm all for it but worry about the "other consequences".

I've recently (in line with Waldigs work) been looking at the effect of various glycol water mixes on the heat capacity, thermal conductivity and viscosity characteristics (and flow rate) at high temps in relation to the charge Air cooler (CAC) efficiency post our SC's. I guess without really knowing the constituents within the additive - its difficult to say. But people notice the effect, be it placebo or real.
Any "the product contains" on the side of the can - anyone?

I always think - if I only knew a real professional race team engineer...you could get some real guff on this stuff - their engineers would have it (and alot of other things) nailed.

 

I have a can of additive for the cooling system on the shelf, have yet to use it . If I can tell you all anything, FLUSH THE SYSTEM, now and then with a good radiator flush. My car at about 18k has horrendous gunk in the system........ When you flush, put it in a bucket or drain into a can thru an old tshirt to catch and see the ook that resides in a factory system after a few years.'

Gotta believe it is easy to do and then flush out the flush twice before adding distilled water and your favorite antifreeze. Me Iam a prestone man with about 0 degree protection. The more antifreeze, the less cooling. I used to do the -67 degree F 50/50% but now go with the minimum and add a good brand of water pump lube and rust inhibitor.

Off soap box for now. Woody

 

always a pleasure to see you "boldness" - type that is.

 

I read a lot of posts about this in the past when I learned our cars are particular about the antifreeze used. People had mixed feelings about the additives but the general consensus was not to use them. Needswings seem to know what they are doing so once I saw it on there I started thinking about the bottle I have sitting on the shelf. I had the coolant changed out about 2 years ago using the proper antifreeze. It's only been driven about 10k miles since. How often do you guys change your coolant?

 

You cant go far wrong if you go by the factory book. I would do it more often, but that is just me and my interest to tinker. Woody