Coolant

G

goldman15

Member

Jun 9, 2001

124

0

• Apr 13, 2002

• #1

Anyone use Prestone low tox? Cheaper than engine ice and other than slick marketing on the part of engine ice these coolants seem to be the exact same thing.

 

KelvinKDX

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Aug 25, 2000

1,622

0

• Apr 13, 2002

• #2

Motorcycle Coolant: The magic to look for on the label is "silicate, phosphate, and borate free". "Safe for aluminum" is not enough.

Reliably the easiest stuff to find which meets the -free spec is
Texaco/GM Dex-Cool. Under $7/gallon. I found the Havoline Extended Life Anti-freeze/Coolant DEX-COOL at Walmart. :)

http://www.havolineusa.com/Products/body_antifreeze.html

"General Motors Corporation has recognized Havoline® Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant DEX-COOL®* as a breakthrough coolant, issuing GM's first DEX-COOL®* license for 5 year/150,000 mile protection. Extended service intervals are made possible through a patented organic acid corrosion inhibitor system which eliminates the need for silicates, phosphates, borates, nitrites, and amines. The elimination of these additives is significant because many of them are abrasive to water pump seals."

 

Last edited: Apr 13, 2002

G

goldman15

Member

Jun 9, 2001

124

0

• Apr 13, 2002

• Thread starter
• #3

what does silicate phosphate and borate do to the radiators? The Prestone bottle does not indicate it is free of these chemicals.

 

KelvinKDX

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Aug 25, 2000

1,622

0

• Apr 13, 2002

• #4

I do not believe that the Preston is free of those chemicals. It's the water pump seals that benifit from the lack of the silicates, phosphates, borates, ... The GM DEX-COOL was developed by GM so that it could handle the 100,000 mile maintenance interval. Personally - i could not go that long w/o changing the coolant on my car (just a mental thing).

It is my understanding that the DEX-COOL matches what "motorcycle coolant" is trying to do by not having the abrasive compounds.

 

G

goldman15

Member

Jun 9, 2001

124

0

• Apr 14, 2002

• Thread starter
• #5

Thanks for the info KevinKDX.

 

KelvinKDX

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Aug 25, 2000

1,622

0

• Apr 14, 2002

• #6

:|
It's KelvinKDX NOT KevinKDX. He is someone else.

If you only knew how often that happens! :( :|

 

J

jtorres

Member

Apr 6, 2002

34

0

• May 11, 2002

• #7

At what ratio does it has to be mixed

 

F

Fred T

Mi. Trail Riders

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Mar 23, 2001

5,272

2

• May 11, 2002

• #8

50/50 with distilled water. I use Prestone DEX-COOL too for the very same reason.

 

Jaybird

Apprentice Goon

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Mar 16, 2001

6,449

0

Charlestown, IN

• May 12, 2002

• #9

goldman,
The product you are asking about is a base of propylene glycol. The products that Kelvin is talking about are ethylene glycol.
The propylene glycol products are actually better to use than any other mentioned here. You will find them safe on your cooling system as well as safe for pets. The ethylene glycol products, even the ones that are safe for our systems seals will kill a pet with just a few sips. It is very hazardous to our environment.
Buy it and know you are a step ahead of the rest that use those other products. btw..yes engine ice is basically deionized water and propylene glycol.
I think a mixture of 25/75 coolant/water should protect your system to about -10 deg F.

 

Last edited: May 12, 2002