Whilst in my local Mazda dealer yesterday afternoon to pick up some parts I asked if they had any FL22 coolant in stock as it’s time to replace the coolant in my Mk3. The parts guy said they’ve replaced it with ‘Super Coolant Concentrated Green’ and sold me two 5L containers for about £36. I didn’t question if this is a suitable alternative as it was about 1 minute from the dealer closing time and I was in a hurry. Does anyone know if this ‘Super Coolant Concentrated Green’ is okay to use instead of FL22? I’m suspicious as there’s no mention of it being an extended life coolant on the containers. If necessary I’ll return it to the dealer and ask specifically for FL22 or order from MX5parts.
Just a heads up - my local dealer was trying to charge me just over double what MX5 parts were asking for 5ltrs the FL22 coolant. Also on the MX5 parts website it states that for the mk3’s coolant capacity is 7.5 ltrs, so I therefore bought 2 x 5ltrs bottles - I think the delivery charge was the same for one or two bottles (£10.00 iirc) (bearing in mind it’s around 1kg/ltr).
When I changed mine (because I had to change the thermostat unit & not at the life time change of the coolant) I drained off the coolant from the radiator drain and measured how much had actually drained out - this was just over 5ltrs, so I refilled the system with just one of the new 5ltr bottles and topped up with half a liter of the old coolant. All has been fine after the initial bleeding procedure with about a 250ml top up. Therefore I have a new unopened bottle of FL22 in the garage for the coolant change next year.
Dealership (Eden, Basingstoke) parts and servicing departments insist that this is the replacement for FL22 and that FL22 is no longer avaibable from Mazda.
Right spoken with my “local” friendly Mazda Parts guy (Mazda Canterbury for those interested, Ashford is technically closer - but have used Canterbury more and Mark cuts a good deal for my parts for the NC).
What your Basingstoke dealer are saying is a load of total rubbish. FL22 is still available for order by any Mazda dealer and is the longlife variant, Super Coolant is the non longlife variant and neither can be mixed (confirming exactly what I originally thought).
For price 5 litres ready to go “premixed” at the correct ratio - £14 from them and they have some on the shelf…
If it’s in spec and you insist changing it whats the problem ? originality some times on here is crazy ! if its up to oem who care where it comes from or who its made by do people import Japanese air for the tyres to keep it original ? mmmh!
Because Super will need changing every 2-4 years, with FL22 it is every 11 years…plus the two are completely incompatible with one another, the biggest issue with FL22 and Super Coolant is they look identical and there is little way easily without chemical analysis of telling which is which, if the cap is marked with FL22 then you go order that and let us not think of the end result (if it was filled with super coolant).
For me much easier to just stick with the correct “original” FL22 Longlife (Part number: C122CL005A4X) which is what Mazda intended.
OP I suspect the reason for “resistance” in this case is any Mazda dealer have to order in 20 litres every time per pallet, split into 4 x 5 litres…I know many have come up against this some what stupid reason previously and hence why some prices quoted are high as they do not just order in 5 litres of FL22, but 20 litres at nearly £60…not what you order in at £14-15. Like some others I have previously had quotes of £48 per bottle of FL22…which is clearly a nice mark up for any dealer!
Many thanks for your advice and confirmation of my suspicions of the Eden Mazda Basingstoke parts and servicing departments - one of the many reason I service my own car! I’ll be taking the super coolant back and asking if they have in stock or can order FL22. If not I’ll go with MX5Parts, it’s just the £9.95 P+P that was putting me off.
Quick question, have had 10 ltrs of FL22 on back order with Mazda, it’s eventually come in today and when i phoned they say its called Long life FL22 Gold on the tubs, assume this is the same as Extended Life FL22 ?