Antifreeze

[Bandit1200]

I'm planning on flushing the system tomorrow and just read in todays Practical Classics that pink antifreeze is only suitable for cars built post 90's.
The antifreeze currently in my '76 Stag is pink!
Can I please draw upon the collective knowledge on the Forum for advice?
Regards
Steve

[milothedog]

I'm planning on flushing the system tomorrow and just read in todays Practical Classics that pink antifreeze is only suitable for cars built post 90's.
The antifreeze currently in my '76 Stag is pink!
Can I please draw upon the collective knowledge on the Forum for advice?
Regards
Steve

Steve,

If your car has previously been filled with a modern OAT coolant then stick with it, It doesn't mix well with older IAT types and can cause jelly type lumps in the cooling system if mixed, not good news.

I run with it with no issues as do some others, if you want to return to a Glyco type then you will need to flush the system with a neutralizing agent first.

Ian


Found this for you:

1. What does antifreeze do?
Antifreeze prevents an engine from over heating at high temperatures and freezing during cold temperatures. Antifreeze also keeps metal surfaces in the radiator clean, and prevents scaling and corrosion attacks within the system; it also prevents wet sleeve liner cavitation in diesel applications.

2. What is the difference between propylene and ethylene glycol?
Although the chemical make of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol are quite similar, propylene glycol is less toxic, whereas ethylene glycol is less expensive and has slightly better heat transfer. Ethylene glycol is the most commonly used of the two in the automotive industry.

3. Can I mix propylene glycol with ethylene glycol?
Propylene glycol can be mixed with ethylene glycol without causing harm to the cooling system, but it does slightly weaken the heat transfer.

4. What types of Antifreeze are there?
There are a variety of types of antifreezes out there, depending on the application. The most traditional is conventional antifreeze, made for automotive and heavy-duty applications. Some heavy-duty conventional antifreeze is pre-charged with or without supplemental coolant additives (SCAs). There is an organic acid technology (OAT) that is considered an extended life or long life; and, there is a hybrid OAT, which combines conventional IAT and OAT technology that can also be fully formulated or not fully formulated with SCAs for heavy-duty use.

5. What is conventional Antifreeze?
Conventional antifreeze, also known as “Universal” antifreeze, is typically green in colour and is the most traditional of all automotive coolants. Its formulation includes a number of inorganic corrosion inhibitors known as inorganic acid technology (IAT); it provides fast acting protection and maintains the pH of the antifreeze. As the antifreeze is cooled and heated and exposed to air, the components of the formulation break down over time. At this point, the pH has dropped and it’s time to change the coolant. EcoFreez Premium Universal Coolant has a life span of 3 years or 80,000km.

6. What does OAT mean?
OAT means Organic Acid Technology, but is more commonly known as Extended Life Antifreeze or DEX-COOL® antifreeze.

7. What is Long-Life or Extended Life antifreeze?
Extended Life Antifreeze is typically carboxylate-based and was developed to provide superior performance over conventional coolants. While these coolants last significantly longer, they differ from conventional coolants; they are not chemically consumed and they do not protect as quickly as conventional coolants. Both coolants require very different procedures and change intervals from each other. Extended Life antifreeze is most commonly orange, but can range in colour. It is known to have unsurpassed corrosion protection for extended time intervals. Because carboxylate coolants have virtually no silicates or phosphates, they meet Asian and European Coolant specifications. Unlike conventional coolants, the chemical make in the additives of an OAT are not chemically consumed as they perform their function of inhibiting corrosion. OAT chemicals form a thin protective coating on the inside of the cooling system, which inhibits corrosion. As long as the cooling system is kept “topped-up” with proper extended life antifreeze and has a proper dilution ratio, it will continue to function properly. If the cooling system is not properly maintained and it develops leaks and/or sludge build-up, therefore leading to serious cooling system problems.

8. What happens if you mix conventional Antifreeze with Extended Life antifreeze?
Extended Life (OAT) antifreeze is NOT compatible with conventional (IAT) antifreeze. Aside from discoloration of antifreeze when the two are mixed together, a chemical reaction is caused when the carboxylate salts are mixed with the inorganic salts and caustics found in conventional antifreeze. If they are mixed, the antifreeze can become cloudy, precipitation can generate and the coolant will lose it’s extended life properties.

[jleyton]

'jelly type lumps' like this

Cheers

Julian

DSCN0986.jpg

[Gresley]

Hi Steve,

I run with the pink OAT in my 2.5PI with no problems - have done since 2006.

Brian.