Switching antifreeze

[Brett Dikeman]

On May 28, 2006, at 6:21 PM, Max Hoepli wrote:

> I use Prestone blue coloured in Toronto from Canadian Tire.  
> Mechanic says it
> is like buying gasoline or motor oil, different brands but much the  
> same on
> the inside.

Among the "green" coolants, yes.  Between Pentosin, the "greens",  
etc...NO!

You want a ZERO phospate coolant ("phosphate free" isn't actually  
"phosphate free", believe it or not) and you want NO silicates.   
Pentosin blue (only for pre-96 cars) doesn't contain any phosphate,  
silicate, or amine.

For years Japanese automakers would void engine warranties if you  
used the improper coolant- the silicates eat the water pump seals,  
and the phosphates react with the aluminum in the heads/blocks.  Oh,  
and Dexcool and other extended coolants were the subject of a couple  
of class-action lawsuits for all sorts of problems.

The PO of my car ran "the green stuff" and when I changed out the aux  
radiator, it was coated inside with slightly-yellow white stuff,  
which I believe are phosphates.

Brett