Sperry

iTrader: (1)

I recently did a drain/fill on the Subie, using the $22/gal Genuine Subaru coolant. Specially formulated for the aluminum engine, as well as the radiator.

"Designed for optimum cooling performance, for Subaru's aluminum engines. It contains an organic corrosion inhibitor instead of abrasive silicates for exellent corrosion protection."

I'm wondering if it is the same stuff as the Honda/Acura coolant.
Also I'm thinking the Subaru ATF-HP is the same as Honda ATF Z1.
The Honda ATF is cheaper. The Subaru coolant is [a little] cheaper.

What would it take to confirm? Testing by Blackstone?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if the Subaru coolant does not contain any silicates or phosphates then you're fine.

01tl4tl

we use hondas NEW atf, DW-1
with improved smoothness and shifting results reported by ziners
I would stay with the real honda atf and not take a chance
our trans are so picky!
Buy at honda dealer or specialty import parts stores have it

coolant,,silicates is our issue/problem
I read the bottles at store and buy whatever brand is `acura approved`,,
meaning `no silicates`
wallyworld has several brands that qualify, you dont need a dealer for this product
many coolant makers got on the `universal standard` for coolant
More sales when product reaches broader audience!!

01tl4tl

blackstone can compare them for you
they probably already have that info on file- email them and ask if thats correct!

22 bucks a gallon coolant!!- gee whiz, no wonder I buy it in concentrate for 8-10 bucks and make 50/50 mix with special filtered water

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

Well, the subie stuff is about $22, which makes 2 gallons.

The Honda stuff is already 50/50, so it comes out to $30,
even with the 25% discount the local honda dealership is giving me.

I have no plans on using any other ATF than Honda, but being cheaper than Subie,
I wondered if I could use Honda ATF in the Subaru.

I did a 1x3 yesterday on the Acura, and it does smell a little, even though it has only been 25,200 miles.
I'll pick up another six quarts.

But I am drawing the line at paying $30 for their coolant.

I noticed there is also Honda-compatible power steering fluid at the local parts store. O.K. to use?

01tl4tl

ps fluid I would stay with HONDA fluid
there are many stories of failure of the pump on other fluids

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

I bought the Honda PS fluid. $3.26 plus tax. I plan to replace only what is in the cylinder [for now].
The antifreeze, I skipped the Honda stuff. Prestone Dex-Cool, $14.99, silicate and phosphate-free.
And grabbed another six quarts of Z-1 to finish out my ATF 3x3 for the year. $6.17 each.

It's sweet, the guy is giving the 25% discount.
Before I had to buy case quantities, and was only getting maybe 15% off.

01tl4tl

may as well throw that ps fluid in the trash for all the good refilling its res will do you!!
That fluid circulates constantly, and in seconds will be old mixed with new

the ONLY way to do any ps service worth mentioning= is to fully drain the ps and rack of fluid

Do this by placing cardboard under the front wheels to reduce surface friction
remove return line off res, attach long hose to return hose so it reaches a catch can outside the car (see diy for details)
Start car and turn wheels full lock to lock until system is dry
this is the owner book method and wont hurt the system, per acura
you are not driving it like this- just pumping out fluid

refill and burp by turning wheels lock to lock- slowly,
adding fluid as air gets pushed out

If its way past the first/every 60kmiles this calls for- do the whole job twice!
Our prob is crud settles in the steering rack and eats the end seal,,very expensive to replace!
15-20 bucks of preventative fluid....well worth it in my opinion

when you do the atf- throw on a new external atf filter,,aftermarket fine and cheap
should be in diy or probs and fixes section
and clean the 2nd and 3rd gear pressure switches/shift selenoids, or replace

Note my trans/smog ASE guru buddy says Motor Purr trans cleaner and 200 mile drive- then full dw-1 change = is the ticket to return of smooth shifting from dirty selenoids-tc screens etc (does not include/fix already failing clutches)

I used their other products when working in a shop- great products!
running their fuel cleaner right now in the 01,,will compare to seafoam in there
try oreillys..kragens carried it before,,,or order online

if not avail Im going to run seafoam trans tune to clean my system out 45k on warranty unit and shifts not as smooth as it should
buddy drove it and first question was- whens the last time you changed the fluid?

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

I couldn't find the capacity spec on the p.s. fluid in my manual.
How many of the 12 oz bottles does one use? Three?

I figured 12 oz was better than nothing. Yes, it quickly got dirty,
but when I syphoned out a little to bring it to the "HIGH" mark,
the fluid didn't smell as nasty, and had a better texture.

The steering seemed easier, smoother. Might just be my imagination.

I'll buy more fluid and do it over again, by the D.I.Y.

Refresher -- > Disconnect lower tube from PS reservoir, drain into receptacle,
run steering side to side until system empties, reconnect tube, refill and test . . . ?

When the system is dry, I'll know it by the sound?

TLer trash

DO NOT USE THE DEX-COOL!!! It doesn't even work well in the gm cars that it was designed for. It's also not compatible with any other anti-freeze on the planet. I believe there's a class action lawsuit against gm because of it's effects. If you want a good non-factory coolant get one of the yellow, zerex G-05 type coolants. They're usually labeled "global solution" or something similar.

Sperry

iTrader: (1)

That was years ago. The current Prestone is phosphate, silicate, and borate free.
Conforms to ASTM D3306 and ASTM D4340, as does the Honda stuff.

I'm more concerned that I couldn't get the block drain open.
Spent a frustrating hour on it. Finally got a socket on it, and couldn't get leverage.

I was afraid I was going to break something, so I just punted for now.
I'll tackle the plug at my friend's shop, on the lift.

What do you put on the plug threads? The same stuff you use on spark plugs?

TLer trash

The lawsuit may be old news, but the problems this coolant causes are still happening. Do a quick online search and you'll see.
I bought into the hype back in '96 and put this crap in a lot of vehicles. Almost every one [including my own] ended up getting changed again way sooner than recommended.
[B] Anti-seize works just fine on the block drain.