Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 12:07:27 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Radiator has a leak and green fluid's coming out
In-Reply-To: <20100404101433.3CUSM.147769.imail@eastrmwml31>
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Some antifreeze choices have over the last few years. The stuff is getting out of control and if you think there is confusion with the Vanagon you have to look at the Diesel stuff.
The new Prestone stuff in the yellow bottle states that it is "Phosphate Free".
Phosphate and silicate is only a problem when used with hard water and the only problem is the stuff precipitating out. As for precipitation I have seen the VW Blue stuff be the ultimate for clumps of gooey stuff accumulating in various parts of the cooling system and engine.
As for the cylinder head pitting, note that the pitting allow occurs in the gasket area. If the gasket seal was good the antifreeze would not be there to cause the corrosion. So the pitting is caused by the failure. The pitting did not cause the failure and if the antifreeze was not there, it would not matter what type it was.
Also, all antifreeze, when mixed with air and heated will become corrosive. The ant-corrosion concept relies on the system being closed-tight and the oxygen being expelled from the coolant. Coolant is one system where the need to regularly add is detrimental. Every time fresh coolant is added so is more oxygen. As coolant leaks out, the bad minerals and stuff stay in and adding more just increases this concentration. Small leaks need to be fixed, the pressure cap needs to work and the system needs to be able to stay charged. If coolant can get out then air can also get in.
As for the propylene glycol, yes it works but there are some drawbacks such as viscosity so I still stick with the Ethylene glycol stuff. I am now using a product called "Final Charge" For the Vanagon this really eliminates the need to do coolant changes. Hose and water pump replacements will be the reason for coolant changes.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 10:15 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Radiator has a leak and green fluid's coming out
---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Most likely that radiator is original. After 25 years it does not owe
> anybody anything. Do not blame it on the green coolant. Most likely the
> heaters cores along with most of the cooling system needs attention. BTW
> the latest universal works with any antifreezes are now mostly phosphate
> free. Don't get too hung up on that. Just pick a choice and stay with it.
>
> Dennis
How do you know that the "works with anything" coolants are phosphate free? Most of them list their ingredients, including something like "antifoaming agents," and "anticorrosion agents." Those could be anything. Some also list made up proprietary names of chemicals, which also could be anything, and good luck finding out what they are. A few of the brands (Zerex is one) state on the container that they are "phosphate free." Most do not. Given the tendency of the heads of waterboxers to pit, and the availability of antifreeze that is phosphate free without a doubt, I use that. Sierra is another phosphate free product, but it is propylene glycol, and I don't know if it is as good a coolant for that reason. But, GoWesty uses it exclusively, and they sure charge a lot for anything they do.
David McNeely
