propylene glycol users?
THOMAS TAUSKEY
ttauskey at worldnet.att.net
Tue Nov 27 12:44:31 EST 2001
After the heater core blew out this summer in the '88 80 i refilled with
propylene glycol, since i was going to try to fix the leak by using an
additive - like Bar's Stop Leak. Being pessimistic (as well as
prescient) i figured it probably wouldn't work (correct) but knew that
trying would for sure result in more coolant leaking into the footwells
(correct as well).
At the time i thought the propylene didn't smell as bad as the
etheylene - nor did it seem as sticky either so it'd be easier to clean
up. Yeah, ok, marginally good idea so far.
The additive fix attempt didn't work, and the heater core remains
bypassed since I've not yet gotten around to tearing the car apart (why
do that in good wx?). It was about 12 degrees here in Denver this a.m.
and I sincerely hope there's enough propylene glycol in the coolant
but... couldn't test last weekend since I can't locate a source for the
"test strips" referred to in the "destructions" on the back of the
container. apparently ethelyene glycol testers won't work. I'll have to
email Dow or whomever manufactured the stuff, i guess.
then... yesterday a Denver paper discussed how at DIA (Denver
International Airport) they have problems containing the propylene
glycol used to deice aircraft... sounds like it's just running all over
the place after the retaining ponds fill up... and... that as the runoff
degrades it gives off a real bad smell.
so...now I'm wondering if I should prepare for a similarly bad smell to
develop as the stuff that's soaked into the carpet degrades......
any thoughts - experience - on using this stuff? it's supposed to be
friendlier to the environment, puppies, kittens and all - but maybe it's
not worth the hassle.
tom tauskey
'88 80
'88 5kcst
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