Hi all. Im going to change my coolant this weekend when i change my oil. After reading the old threads on this, I was wondering if anyone could take a picture of the side bolt that is used to drain out additional coolant........ I have no clue what to look for and I should drain from both this bolt and the one at the bottom of the radiator correct? Any preffered brands to use? After reading i know it has to be ethylene-glycol based.

i appreciate all the help u guys can offer.

Sam

 

unfortunately I'm not able to take a good picture for you right now. Using a photo looking in through the driver side wheelwell that I found on the forum this is the best I can do. It's on the driver side of the engine on the centerplate between the two rotor housings. You can tell the rotor housings because you'll see the sparkplugs on each one. In this photo the greenish-gray section between the two silver rotor housings is the centerplate. At the bottom of the centerplate just above the oil pan are two bolts; one forward and one rearward. Unfortunately in this pic the subframe is in the way of seeing the forward bolt. You can just see the head of the rearward bolt sticking out and I drew a white circle approximating where the forward bolt is if the subframe wasn't in the way. The forward bolt is the coolant drain. It will gush out a stream about 16" or so to the side when you first open it so have your catch container ready to keep it from going all over the place.

Any name brand coolant will be fine.

 

looking down from driver side, it is right below the engin mount.
it should be a 14 mm.

 

you guys are awesome~!! thanks alot. ill go looking for the bolt tomorrow when its bright out. thanks once again!!

Sam

 

THANKS TeamRX8 and Winning8!

bolt has been found and coolant has been changed.



Sam

 

here is a better pic for other people who want to change coolant.
the bolt on the left is the one you want.
14mm

 

Hey guys, I will be changing my coolant as well this weekend... the same time as my turbo installation. Two questions.. Redline WaterWetter recommends using distilled water + waterwetter ALONE (no antifreeze).. they report that using antifreeze + waterwetter will increase the temperature about 20 degrees f.

What do YOU recommend?

 

mazdatrix got a 2-1/16" koyo radiator, I think that will do the trick.

 

Waterwetter will not raise the temp by 20 degrees when using antifreeze, it just isn't as effective as using it with just water. I added it to my 50/50 mixture and I haven't really seen any improvements or had any problems with it.

 

So what do you recommend when doing a complete flush? Water + WaterWetter or 50/50 + WaterWetter?

 

50/50 is good for 256 degF, I would just keep it simple and use that for anything other than a serious competition vehicle

 

if you want, you could do a 20 coolant/80 water + waterwetter mix.
but if you live in a cool place, change it back to 50/50 in winter time.

 

there's no point using waterwetter with anything other than 100% water, don't waste your money

 

Well the thing is, I'm installing a turbo next week.. I don't want my water temperature overheating..

 

How many other turbo RX-8 owners are having overheating issues?

 

None yet :]

 

Mine hit 112 at the last autocross.
It was 99 degrees out, with 4 back-to-back runs.

Oh, and im adding Purple Ice this week. Before i do so, im going to drains some antifreeze and replace it with water. Which coolant bolt is the one that needs to be removed in this photo? Can someone circle it and repost it for me.


-hS

 

On that picture

 

Yes, i understand what the exact post above by Winning 8 said.. thanks.
But, what i need to know is which bolt. There are several in the pic, and the one upfront that is on the left looks to be the toe or camber bolt.

-hS

 

done

 

The plain water mixture might be better in terms of removing heat from the engine, but it is NOT how you want to run rotary that is run as a street car. The rotary engine is basically a sandwich of different metals. That makes it very susceptible to corrosion. To keep corrosion at bay you want to run AT LEAST a 50/50 coolant mix, and change regularly. You need the corrosion inhibitors.

 

i think your rotary has a severe cold.... perhaps even tuberculosis..

 

u must be reffering to rotorculosis or perhaps turboculosis...
i'd be wearing gloves if i were those guys!

 

seriously though...
has anyone used water watter w/ plain or distilled water???
i'm gonna do this soon... need some opinions. my car is a daily driver in FLorida... i'm sure my 8 would be happy w/ a cooler engine... i already bypassed the coolant from the throttle body...

 

^bump^