Re: antiquatedfreeze (Propylene Glycol BTDT)

[Eric Maxon <emaxon@megsinet.net>]

jab86@cornell.edu wrote:
> 
> Now, I know that I'm new here, and probably shouldn't making waves in
> this pool full of quattro sharks, but what the hell.
> 
> The subject, as you may have guessed, pertains to this rather lengthy
> discussion on antifreeze.  You see, once, during my rabbit racing days, I
> cracked a head, and I swore that it would never happen again.  I did a
> little research, and found out that almost every single race team -
> including porsche - was using propylene glycol.  I did a little more
> research and found out that PG is a lifetime fluid, and is totally
> environmentally friendly.  PG also doesn't have the appetite for aluminum
> that conventional antifreeze does.
> Needless to say, I switched, and haven't had any cooling problems since.
> I also converted my 1990 80Q to PG, and it ran great until that
> mother!@#$%!er ran me into the curb.  If anybody is interested in the
> conversion process, I would be glad to post it.  Conversely, if there is
> any reason that I am unaware of which makes PG bad for my Audi, please
> let me know so that i can rectify the situation.
> 
> -Joe
> 
> 1990 80Q, currently on the disabled list.

I've used Sierra brand Propylene Glycol coolant in all of my personal
vehicles since about 1993, and in all of my customer's cars since about
1996-- with no ill effects to report.  Prestone now sells PG coolant
too.  It's the same price as the national brands of EG coolant, cheaper
than Dexcool, and non=toxic.

Aside from flushing the cooling system (with water, through a tee I
install in the heater inlet hose) before pouring in the PG coolant, I
really don't see the need to do anyting else to "convert" to PG
coolant.  PG is totally miscable (100% soluable) in water/Ethylene
glycol-- so it's not the end of the world if you don't get all of the
old EG coolant out.  The only undesirable traits the PG has, that I know
of, are that it does not lower the freeze point or raise the boiling
point as much as EG for a given concentration, and has a different
specific gravity for a given concentration so that test equipment meant
to indicate the concentration of EG will not give accurate readings w/ a
PG/Water mix.  For just this reason, Sierra sells cheap (less than $2)
eyedropper/floating ball style densitometers on the shelf right next to
their coolant.  The upshot of this drawback is that if you live in a
REALLY cold climate like Minnesota, Alaska, you may need to use a
stronger than 50% mix.  

>From the back of the Sierra jug, and the back of a no-name EG coolant
jug:

	Sierra Freeze	EG Freeze	Sierra Boil	EG Boil
50%	-26degF		-34degF		256degF		265degF
55%	-39degF		-48degF		260degF		267degF
60%	-54degF		-62degF		261degF		270degF

I have also yet to try Redline "Water Wetter" in a PG cooled car-- next
time I order from them, I'll ask whether it's compatable with PG
coolant.

Have a cool summer.

Eric.


-- 
The Manicured Mechanic's fleet	'86 5000cs
==============================	'86 Vanagon GL 
=========_==_==_==_===========	'85 4000s quattro (MC engine comming
soon!)
=======((^)(^)(^)(^))=========	'82 4000s
=========~==~==~==~===========	'80 Scirocco
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