Porsche Coolant?

My friend's Boxster calls for a special Porsche coolant (read $$$). What is this really? Are there other options?

Rob

it isn't necessarily that he "needs" the Porsche coolant, it is just that Porsche coolant does not like to mix with other coolants. If you wish to change to another coolant you have to vacuum bleed the system. Here at the shop our techs use Pentosin, but we make sure every drop in the system is out, and when refilling you have to premix with distilled water.

huge pain!

It seems that the VW/Audi coolant is compatible. Thoughts?

ZOOMiata wrote: It seems that the VW/Audi coolant is compatible. Thoughts?

All I know about this is a guy I know who owns a shop that specializes in German cars keeps M-B, BMW, VAG, and Porsche coolant on the shelf and doesn't mix them. Is also religious about ONLY using distilled water.

You bought a Porsche. Why is $20 for a gallon of coolant a big deal? (recalling similar rants back when I was wrenching on my g/f's M3...)

Huh, I better check on this. the previous owner of my car may not have known this.....

I've had three waterpumper Porsches and never used a special coolant. I'm getting ready to do the waterpump and timing belt on my 951. It will be drained and refilled with a decent premix, then bled.

I've never owned a Boxster, but doubt they have to have a special coolant......to be safe I would do a search on Rennlist.

Ian F wrote:

ZOOMiata wrote: It seems that the VW/Audi coolant is compatible. Thoughts?

All I know about this is a guy I know who owns a shop that specializes in German cars keeps M-B, BMW, VAG, and Porsche coolant on the shelf and doesn't mix them. Is also religious about ONLY using distilled water. You bought a Porsche. Why is $20 for a gallon of coolant a big deal? (recalling similar rants back when I was wrenching on my g/f's M3...)

It's not the cost -- its the ease of avaialbility. There are NO Porsche dealers within 200 kms. And, sadly, I DIDN"t buy a Porsche -- but a friend did. She just wants to do the right thing.

Probably just something safe for aluminum radiators. Run-of-the-mill Prestone 50/50 long life should be fine.

Posches should use air.... (just playin')

It's $32 a gallon at my place...

Gearheadotaku wrote: Posches should use air.... (just playin') It's $32 a gallon at my place...

Air is free here...you should move to another state.

One of mine uses air and oil, but they don't mix. The air is free.

my wife's trailblazer posi-whatever rear axle needs some special 85w synthetic GM version gear oil that costs $36.00 per pint.

mobil one help line crushes as their is some special cert that the gear oil must meet. scam.

My cousin works at a coolant filler plant in Lemont, IL and I toured it and saw all the manufacturers coolant being filled. She claims it is all different as all the mnfgs add their "special" additives.

Find a european parts store, they should carry whatever special coolant you need. If not order it online. I only use mercedes orange coolant in my car with a bottle of the watter wetter. If you own a porsche I'd follow whatever prescriptions they give you regarding coolant type.