Coolant Flush and 'Subaru Super Coolant'

[Rambler]

Car is approaching 200,000ks and I'm going to do all of the fluids, as apart from engine oil and rear diff I can't see that they've ever been done in the service history. Only ever done oil change before but I'm keen to learn.

I bought cheapo green coolant from my local supplier, which was what I put in my old Liberty, but did some reading and found that it is recommended to use Subaru's own coolant in models after '99 along with stop leak aka 'conditioner' as some generic brands will corrode the head gaskets. I'm trying to undo some years of neglect here so I'm happy to pay a few extra bucks for OEM if it's recommended. I'll return the cheapo and get a torque wrench.

However models from after '09 are recommended to use the blue 'Subaru Super Coolant' which is meant to be superior and has a much longer life than the green, which is still sold for use for cars from pre '09 (6 yrs or 150,000ks vs 2 yrs 50,000ks).

Subaru website coolant page says nothing about backwards compatibility of the long life coolant in an older car.

Does anyone use the blue stuff in their older car? I might ask the dealer when I pick it up and give it a go, even if I get twice the life it's a good improvement.

Also - Would anyone replace the thermostat as a preventative or is that going overboard? No issue with overheating but as I said, car's approaching 200ks and it's probably original. Anything else you'd recommend?

Ta

 

[Escher]

Don't know the answer myself. However, I'm curious to hear what others say. Looking at replacing my head gaskets in the next 6-12 months, and will obviously need new coolant in the process.

 

[Kevin]

I use Subaru's older coolant but I don't add any "conditioner".

 

[duncanm]

https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504002

Can I use the new blue colored Subaru Super Coolant in my pre 2008 Subaru? Yes. You can use the Subaru Super Coolant in engines prior to 2008 that came with the SLLC (AKA OEM green stuff) but you have to follow the maintenance intervals of the SLLC (every 30,000 miles). If the vehicle's coolant is flushed using the Wynn's PowerFlush III machine (the only flush machine authorized by SOA), then you can change the coolant every 6/75k miles. The old and new fluids are compatible with each other, so you could top off the old green with the new blue. However, topping off the new blue with the old green is not recommended as you'd then fall under the older 30,000 mile replacement schedule unless you get your system flushed as above at a later date.


Nulon blue looks like an option if the Subaru stuff is super expensive. Subaru compatible.
https://www.nulon.com.au/products/cooling_systems/Blue_Long_Life_Premix_Coolant/#specs

 

[Rambler]

Nice one, just what I was looking for. Thanks.

Not going to touch the thermostat, it's working fine. Will do it with the water pump and belts in 70,000ks.

 

[roo_shoota]

I went through the same shenanigans. I was going to stick any old stuff in and I read on a few forums and other technical sites, what ever you do, don't mix different coloured coolants as the red and green and blue have different active chemicals and their interaction can be detrimental to your engines corrosion protection. After enduring the same argument about use genuine Subie blue, I researched it enough to convince myself that Nulon Blue, from Super Cheap Auto was essentially the same stuff. Since the coolant in my outback was green and I had no idea of previous owners services history, I dumped it, and flushed it out twice with distilled water, and then topped her up with that Nulon blue.