Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 12:46:34 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Organization: The Cobalt Group
Subject: Re: ???-Antifreeze: Is Orange OK-???
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Vernon the Vanagon, I like it!
You will not reach a consensus on this, I am sure. I have decided to
use it for the following reason: It is still ethylene glycol based, but
has an entirely different additive package (and chemistry) that prevents
acid formation for at least five years or 100,000 miles. It is also
phosphate free and approved for all types of engines.
Autobahn blue stuff also has its own phosphate free additive package,
but costs twice as much and lasts less than half as long. You do the
math, the research, and make your decision.
Dexcool is truly the first major change in coolant chemistry since
ethylene glycol was first used, and was developed as part of the
manufacturers' ongoing drive to reduce the maintenance required for new
vehicles. Unlike silicone brake fluid, it is compatible with existing
systems since it has the same base as conventional antifreeze. Silicone
based brake fluid has the unfortunate tendency to shrink rubber seals,
especially if they have been exposed to glycol based brake fluids for
any length of time. I learned the same lesson you did on my MGB's a few
years ago.
Chemistry marches forward, and I see no reason not to take advantage of
the latest advances when they make such clear economic sense. (And
because the Vanagon is such a pain to fill and bleed!)
Here is an article from from the Impala SS enthusiast Web site. It is
based on the technical bulletins from Texaco.
http://www.theherd.com/articles/dex_cool.html
Rico Sapolich wrote:
>
>
> I have been using orange stuff with distilled water. The application
> engineers with whom I have spoken at both Pristine and Texaco, say their
> respective product is compatible, although, they have never heard of a Vernon.
>
> I am starting to wonder if this antifreeze may cause a repeat of my
> experience years ago with silicone brake fluid. After reading that silicone
> brake fluid was the best thing since sliced bread, I bought a quart of it to
> pump into my Volvo. I could only find it at a speed shop and it cost
> $32/qt.(1977 dollars) so, it had to be good! I used the entire quart to
> flush and refill the brake system and I sat back to enjoy all the benefits of
> this marvelous elixir. Well, over the next year, I had more problems with
> the brakes on that car than any ten Volvos I have owned. While all the
> experts said to make certain the seals in the system were compatible with the
> silicone, none had mentioned to disassemble every component a make sure every
> trace of the old DOT 3 was removed. So much for sliced bread.
> Rich
--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext 208
Getting your share of the Net yet?
http://www.cobaltgroup.com
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