anti freeze question

[handball]

Hi guys<br />I have a general question on anti freeze in a closed fresh water system. I have read my owners manual for a ford recently and they state do not use any other anti freeze but ford no.x-xxxx or you may damage your engine. The engine has a cast iron block and aluminum heads and is a 3.8 v/6.<br />I have been using prestone for many years in other cars and never had a problem with my mazda engine , I have had it since nov. 1985 and it still runs great.My mazda has a cast iron block and an aluminum head.<br />Is this a scare tactic from ford or is there really a reason not to use other anti freeze like prestone or shell.<br />Thanks and have a great Holiday<br />Bill

 

[KaGee]

Re: anti freeze question

Wrong forum for that ??

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: anti freeze question

there main concern is you dont mix types.<br />find out if the anti freeze in your engine is<br />propylene or ethylene and use one to match.

 

[jimmythekid]

Re: anti freeze question

use what Ford recommends, the 3.8 engine was very prone to head gasket failures. Propylene glycol commonly known as DEX-COOL or extended life antifreeze is not very good IMHO. I wouldn't put it in my grandmothers lawnmower.(just ask all the GM owners out there with intake and head gasket problems)The makers of dex-cool(orange)had a class action lawsuit a while back last time I checked was still pending. Most likely you want ethylene glycol (good ol green antifreeze) and never let it even think about getting hot, or you will be having head gasket problems for sure. And like Benc said never mix different types, they are supposed to be compatable, but from my experience, when mixed, different types tend to gel up and plug up everything over time.