Date: Thu, 14 Apr 1994 19:45:19 -0600 (CDT)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: dunham@mpd.tandem.com (Jerry Dunham)
Subject: [W] Antifreeze in Volkswagens... (fwd)
An interesting post from the VW newsgroup:
Forwarded message:
]From: finnegan@nrlssc.navy.mil (K. M. Finnegan)
]Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw
]Subject: [W] Antifreeze in Volkswagens...
]Date: 14 Apr 1994 12:49:00 GMT
]Organization: Naval Research Laboratories
]
]I just had a lengthy conversation with a gentleman at Zerex concerning
]the use of their antifreeze in VW's, MBenz, BMW's, etc. As you all
]probably know, most European manufacturers recommend the use of a
]phosphate-free antifreeze in their cars. In VW's case, at least, that
]means buying Autobahn coolant from your local dealer. After my
]water pump replacement this weekend, I put in a gallon of Zerex,
]which states on the front of the bottle that it is "suitable for
]all modern automotive cooling systems." Dan Simoes and I were talking
]this morning about this issue, so I decided to go to a source.
]Here's what he said in a nutshell (keep in mind that this person
]works for Zerex.)
]
](1) Initially, the European manufacturer's claims were based on their
] extensive use of aluminum in their motors (mid 70's). The claim
] at that time was that the phosphates in traditional coolants could
] possibly damage the aluminum. John pointed out that almost ALL
] cars these days use aluminum components, and no domestic or
] Japanese manufacturers seem concerned with the problem.
]
](2) Apparently, the concern now stems from the relative "hardness" of
] the water in some locations. When phosphates are mixed with "hard"
] water, the water is softened (which, incidentally, is the type of
] water you want in your system), but precipitates form as a result
] of the removal of the "contaminants" from suspension. These
] precipitates are what seem to concern the manufacturers. John
] countered with the point that the amount of precipitate is
] miniscule compared to the amount of other contaminants that
] make their way into the cooling system, so it should introduce
] no problems whatsoever.
]
]He finished by saying this: If your car is still under warranty, by
]all means use the dealer recommended coolant so as not to void your
]warranty. He said that Autobahn coolant is dark blue, and the
]mechanic could tell immediately (if the coolant were the traditional
]bright yellow/green) that you had not used Autobahn.
]
]If your car is out of warranty anyway, IN HIS OPINION AND
]THE OPINION OF ZEREX you will not harm your cooling system in any way
]by using their product OR the coolant of any other reputable
]manufacturer, phosphate-free or not....
]
]Kenneth.Finnegan@nrlssc.navy.mil
--
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Jerry Dunham, MSE (512)244-8598
Tandem Computers, Inc. dunham@mpd.tandem.com
Integrity Systems Division dunham_jerry@tandem.com
Computium Ergo Sum Foodium
(I am programming therefore I am hungry)
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