Mazda Protege5 Coolant Question

[Gebo]

I am helping a widow with her 2003 Protege5. Changed plugs, coils, filters, oil, PS fluid, cleaned MAF, ATF with Mazda V, etc. Only used Mazda OEM stuff.

Her car has 131K and I wanted to change the coolant. Went to Mazda Dealer yesterday and he sold me FL22 (55/45). I drained the radiator and overflow. Refilling only took 1 gallon. I could not find any
engine block drains. Are their other drains than the bottom of the radiator? I had temp dial set to"hot."

Last night and this morning I did some reading and I ain't sure I got the right coolant.

Can you please help me?

What is the correct coolant for her car?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The FL22 is fine

 

[Hoot_r]

Yes, FL22 is what's specified as a long life coolant for Mazdas. You're fine.

 

[E150GT]

Well it's fl22 mixed with conventional green coolant. Will it explode? No. Will it play nicely ? I don't know.

 

[bdcardinal]

FL-22 was not back spec'd to the Proteges. It took Mazda long life green which was used prior to FL-22, orange, or gold coolants with Mazda.

 

[Sayjac]

I'm thinking that like some older Asian vehicles an 03 Protege used the shorter service interval PHoat AF. Nissan, Suby, and Toyota are examples of such vehicles. At least in Nissan and Subaru case it also happened to be green tint ( now blue premix). While perhaps not technically original spec like those mentioned, all the newer long service premixed AF like FL22 they are compatible with the older Phoat AF. To get the longer service it would have be with complete system exchange. So, while FL22 apparently not original spec, no reason I'm aware of it wouldn't work fine. As point of information, unlike the others mentioned Motorcraft doesn't backs spec any AF in their chart.

If my vehicle, I'd use WM Valvoline/Zerex Asian blue tint or ZAF blue tint (same AF) from parts store. The former is usually less expensive. That said if Mazda AF desired, it's FL22 Phoat. I'd speculate if one went to Mazda dealer, it's all they sell now.

 

[mazdamonky]

I have always just used universal green such as supertech, prestone, or autozone branded universal and had absolutely no problems in my Protege.

On that note, filling the car from empty usually takes around 1.5-2 gallons in my experience. To properly empty the protege, I have always had to get the rear end higher than the front. So front on jack stands, release radiator petcock, drop the front, rear on jackstands before all fluid was drained. You could also flush with filtered/ distilled water to help this process.

 

[Gebo]

Originally Posted by bdcardinal
FL-22 was not back spec'd to the Proteges. It took Mazda long life green which was used prior to FL-22, orange, or gold coolants with Mazda.



I have found out you are correct. I have a Ford dealer without 5 miles of me. The Mazda dealer is 45 minutes from me. Can I purchase the correct fluid from my Ford dealer?

 

[Gebo]

Originally Posted by bdcardinal
FL-22 was not back spec'd to the Proteges. It took Mazda long life green which was used prior to FL-22, orange, or gold coolants with Mazda.


You are correct.

 

[Gebo]

From the Moderator on Protege Forum:

[color:#FF99FF]I believe FL22 is the wrong coolant for our Protégé engines. The coolant I use is a Mazda product labeled Genuine Mazda *Long Life Coolant.* It comes in a 1 US gallon container and the part number is: 0000-77-501E-02. This should be the correct coolant for our engines.


Gary,
I'm not sure how detrimental it would be to utilize FL22 in the Protégé cooling system. I think the safest course would be to drain the FL22 and start over with the right coolant. Unfortunately, I understand that this would be a costly move on your part but I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[bdcardinal]

Ford has FL-22 in concentrate p/n VC-10-A2. The Ford green coolant, p/n VC-5, is more of a "traditional" green coolant. VC-7-B is G-05 and VC-3-B is basically Dex-Cool.

 

[cjolson140]

I can't remember too well now, but around 2002-2003 Mazda transitioned to a long life coolant where previously they just used a non-OAT "classic green" coolant. My 2002 protege5 originally did not have mazda LLC, and I used oreilly's house brand of green coolant to refill after changing the water pump.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted by cjolson140
I can't remember too well now, but around 2002-2003 Mazda transitioned to a long life coolant where previously they just used a non-OAT "classic green" coolant. My 2002 protege5 originally did not have mazda LLC, and I used oreilly's house brand of green coolant to refill after changing the water pump.


That would be the 0000-77-501E-02 Long Life Coolant which is green.

 

[Sayjac]

Beck Arnley confirms the information contained in my last post.

https://www.carid.com/2003-mazda-protege-antifreeze-additives/
https://fme-cat.com/livedocs/252-1501 PDS EN.pdf
https://fme-cat.com/livedocs/252-1001 PDS EN.pdf

Older Green Mazda AF is a shorter service interval Asian Phoat AF type and comes as a concentrate. Newer premix Asian Phoat AF completely compatible as same type AF. And note on the Green says "PREMIUM GREEN CONCENTRATE; 252-1501 Blue 50/50 premix can be used w/or in place of Green concentrate for improved protection" All confirming detailed information found in "View Details" and on the Beck Arnley site linked above. FL22 is a 55/45 concentration equivalent of the blue premix. Pentofrost also make a green Phoat concentrate, be equivalent to the Beck Arnley green.

Outside information is incorrect and lacks an understanding of the two Mazda AFs and chemistry. Operative words there, "I think", "I not sure". Draining the FL22 a waste of money.