coolant recommendations

BRADDAD · Jun 10th, 2004, 07:35 AM

Does anyone know the recommended coolant for a 96 PU 4cyl. (Is the engine aluminum head &/or block) if so it may need silicate free!
Silicate coolant
Low silicate coolant
Or Silicate free
I do not have a manual so any help will be appreciated

jadcock · Jun 10th, 2004, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRADDAD

Does anyone know the recommended coolant for a 96 PU 4cyl. (Is the engine aluminum head &/or block) if so it may need silicate free!
Silicate coolant
Low silicate coolant
Or Silicate free

The engine has an iron block and an aluminum head. Silicate-free coolant would be best, if it were installed at the factory. However, with the possible exception of one '95 Nissan truck (Aaronford's), I don't think Nissan ever installed silicate-free coolant (otherwise known as DEX-COOL). Because your truck probably has silicated coolant now, your engine is already contaminated with it, and putting in DEX-COOL or its equivalent would not gain you anything. The best way to protect your cooling system is to drain and refill the coolant periodically.

For the 1996 model year (which is similar to other years), Nissan recommends changing the coolant first at 60,000 miles or 48 months. After you hit the 60k/48 month mark, change the coolant every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Basically, change it every other year and you'll be fine.

BRADDAD · Jun 10th, 2004, 10:12 AM

Thanks I think I will use ZEREX G 05, its a low silicate,
I'll flush the system with tap h2o then distilled h2o x2 (faily hard water but on a h2o softener) and add the Zerex,
BTW do es anyone have the coolant volume for this set up.

Thanks all

jadcock · Jun 10th, 2004, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRADDAD

Thanks I think I will use ZEREX G 05, its a low silicate,
I'll flush the system with tap h2o then distilled h2o x2 (faily hard water but on a h2o softener) and add the Zerex.

Just make sure the Zerex is ethylene-glycol based (vs. propylene-glycol). There is no difference in cooling capacity between silicated coolant and silicate-free coolant, but there IS a difference in capacity between ethylene and propylene based coolants. I would only use an ethylene-glycol coolant. In fact, if you are going to do the final fill with distilled water, I wouldn't even bother flushing with the tap. It's just going to introduce mineral water into the mix that you won't get out. I'd do a simple drain/refill if it were me.

The volume, by the book, is 8-5/8 qt. for 4x2 and 9-1/2 qt. for 4x4.