New Cooling System what to use?

[Just a Six?]

I have the new rad & heater core in & I've always used distilled water & RMI 25 but it rusts up a bit over time & I usually drain & refill it  every couple years. I'm wondering if I should use some anti-freeze or a bottle of that water pump lubricant additive? The 2 pipes from water pump to heater core running along the passenger side have a fair amount of rust inside them. I have a spray can of Rust Converter I used on some metal before it was painted & it worked half decent but I have to check if it will hold up being in water all the time? Any other ideas to deter rust in my nice new system? 

[Steve Wood]

You are not in a hot enough climate to really benefit from straight water and rmi25.  I would run a normal antifreeze mixture plus a 8 oz of rmi25 once a year and change it every couple of years.

I would not put rust converter in it as that stuff is usually acid based and that does not sound like a good idea to me.  Right now, the rust is probably adding to the strength of the tubing LOL

[Steve Wood]

btw, the normal life of rmi25 is six months as I recall....a lot of those water pump lubes don't last that long.

[nocooler]

The evans waterless coolant has always intrigued me. But not enough to spend $50 a gallon + whatever the prep fluid costs. 

[Just a Six?]

I would not put rust converter in it as that stuff is usually acid based and that does not sound like a good idea to me.  Right now, the rust is probably adding to the strength of the tubing LOL


Steve you're probably right! I'll grab some Prestone or similar & get it filled up. Thanks! 

[1KWIKSIX]

David,don’t be a cheap bugger! 😉
You’re spent a bundle on the car and replaced the radiator , Heater so why not replace the steel coolant line with a stainless steel unit .
you’ll never have to worry about it again !
I’m with Steve on this one, I run Prestone antifreeze Plus RMI 25 and have so for years with no ill effects 👍

[Just a Six?]

Dave I didn't know they exist I assume Kirban would sell them? I'll take a look & see what I find unless you have a link? 

[Shimy87]

Question, the rmi 125, what's the advantage of adding this?

[Just a Six?]

I ran RMI25 with distilled water instead of any coolant back when I was at the track a lot so when I popped a head gasket it didn't damage the bearings. Pretty much all I've used in the car but will probably throw in some prestone this time.

[Steve Wood]

rmi-25 is surfactant as well as it stops rust and keeps antifreeze from developing precipitates which clog cooling passages and reduces heat transfer from the water jackets to the coolant.  It is an additive and is good for about six months before it needs another shot.

When I lived in Houston, I ran distilled water and rmi from May to the beginning of  November.  It dropped coolant temps about 11 degs over an antifreeze mixture and keep everything clean in the cooling system.

It is used by long haul truckers and can often be found in truck shops.  I buy it by the quart as it is cheaper than way and get it mail order.

[reality]

I hear in Houston over heating vehicles are the least of their worries,

How did you measure the temp drop?  Themostat or no?

I believe RMI was developed by Detroit diesel but may be wrong on that,

[ULYCYC]

I've been using rmi25 for years with no problems. But if you have any pinhole leaks you fixed with a stop=leak product in your radiator, heater core, freeze out plugs or what ever it will wash it away and leak again.

[Steve Wood]

I hear in Houston over heating vehicles are the least of their worries,

How did you measure the temp drop?  Themostat or no?

I believe RMI was developed by Detroit diesel but may be wrong on that,

Not using a thermostat can lead to problems.  It was on a summer day with the temp over 100 degs-think it was 103 to the best of my recollection.  Pretty sure the transmission fluid was not routed thru the radiator, either.

Reading the temp on my Scanmaster after prolonged idling.  Dual Spal fans.  Three pass aluminum radiator.  AC on.

I concur with your statement about Houston

[1KWIKSIX]

Dave I didn't know they exist I assume Kirban would sell them? I'll take a look & see what I find unless you have a link? 

GBody has em,
im running this on mine 

https://gbodyparts.com/turbo-buick-stainless-steel-coolant-lines-black-stainless-without-throttle-body-p-3908.html?osCsid=bb7930e00376ec49d6c523a1a3d3c819

[1KWIKSIX]

Why not try soaking in Evapo-Rust
I’ve been using this stuff for years and has worked great for me.
got it from Princess Auto