tennesseect Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 Is it permissible to mix orange and green antifreeze? I see Rotax has approved several types but can I just buy by color at the auto parts store? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 In a pinch yes. In the old days no. If you can avoid it which is extremely easy don't. Green is standard life and orange is extended life. Use distilled water if you don't have the right type to top off reservoir. The system only takes about 3/4 gal. and changing coolant is easy and only takes about 5 minutes. Better to just change the whole thing at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrassStripFlyBoy Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 Walmart has Dexcool on the shelf, I don't care for "universal / equivalent" type products, spend a few bucks more and buy the name brand. Probably ok using the generic stuff, but to Roger's point so little is needed it's not a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 FD USA recommended to me the blue BMW motorcycle coolant. Found at BMW motorcycle dealers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 It's what they use in Europe. Rotax says use a 50/50 mix and the big majority in the US use DexCool as it was recommended and is rated as extended life. So the green Prestone would get replaced every 2-3 years and the orange extended life to the 5 year rubber change. The blue BMW stuff is a bit harder to come by and I don't know its compatibility with other coolants or life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 3 hours ago, Roger Lee said: Rotax says use a 50/50 mix Right, 50/50 with the BMW coolant. I had to drive 45 minutes to get it. Whatever works and certainly you would know. Given the Tucson temps, you have a very good idea of which coolant works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 Be careful if you are intending to add anything to "Blue" coolant! You should read the Rotax Fluids Service Instruction that was just revised (attachedRotax fluids service instruction.pdf). According to Rotax, the blue stuff should be "Waterless Coolant" aka Evans in the USA and Aero Cool 180 in Europe. You should never add water or water based coolants (green or orange) to the waterless blue stuff. See the Rotax Service Instruction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 On 12/12/2020 at 12:36 PM, tennesseect said: Is it permissible to mix orange and green antifreeze? I see Rotax has approved several types but can I just buy by color at the auto parts store? Your airplane has Dexcool 50/50 pre mix in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 MEH, My blue BMW motorcycle coolant is mixed 1:1 with distilled water as per FD USA... I run a 912i... I believe the Rotax manual supports FD’s recommendation. Thanks for sending the Rotax info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEH Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 My apologies. The waterless Evans (in the blue jug) approved by Rotax, is not to be confused with the 50/50 BMW blue stuff approved by FD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 No worries, it was a good exercise on coolant. Glad you posted the manual reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 Evans is no longer approved in Rotax. They don't want it used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 I was planning to change out the Dexcool this annual, but if it's rated to five years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted December 17, 2020 Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 I normally only change during a hose replacement, unless I have the cooling system open for some other reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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