![]() These organic acids are very stable and last a long time, although they take thousands of miles to become fully effective in protecting coolant passages. In particular, they're OAT coolants, but the similarities go beyond that basic description.Īll DexCool-approved coolants to date use two organic acid rust/corrosion inhibitors, one called sebacate, the other called 2-EHA (which stands for 2-ethylhexanoic acid). Although DexCool is not a specific formula, all three brands that have the label (Texaco Havoline, Prestone Extended Life and Zerex Extended Life) are somewhat similar. The "DexCool" designation means the coolant passes General Motors performance testing. The discontinued Mercury Cougar was an exception it did contain an orange coolant similar to DexCool. It's what Ford's warning labels could be interpreted to refer to, so that label doesn't serve to clarify things (certainly not when a Ford system contains a very different-non-DexCool, but orange-dyed-coolant). If you make this assumption, you'd be wrong. You should know that the term "orange coolant" has come to mean a DexCool-approved brand but that doesn't mean it's really true. Yes, that includes a bit about the dye colors. You've got to know in basic terms what's different about the different coolants-both conventional and extended-life types-and what it means when you have to pick one. You have to appreciate a bit of chemistry about the various formulas. These days, it's all too easy to make a mistake. Taking these issues a step further, this year we've seen more cases that contribute to coolant confusion. There are circumstances where an unfavorable mixture can cause an increase in corrosion. Nevertheless, you have to pick something to install, and to top up with, and we've learned that the systems are not necessarily forgiving of some mixtures of different coolants. Yes, DexCools also are OATs, but these Japanese formulas are not DexCool, and the two car companies have indicated they absolutely, positively don't want DexCool-type coolants used in their vehicles. Since last year, however, Honda and Toyota have moved strongly into extended-life organic acid technology (OAT) coolants. The inhibitors make a huge difference, and they're what all the arguments are about.ĭidn't we talk about all these coolants last year? You bet, and we'll probably be talking about them for years to come. ![]() You may remember that about 93% of most coolant is ethylene glycol, another few percentage points are water and/or a solvent to keep rust/corrosion inhibitors in solution and the remainder are those inhibitors. But with these seemingly contradictory warning labels, you really need a basic understanding of what's been happening with coolant formulations and colorings. Dye should help you spot a leak, but that's about it. Longtime Motor readers know that the color of the coolant dye really is meaningless. And you have to know what coolant you're dealing with to be sure you're doing no harm. The basic answers to what coolant to use where, and when, are pretty simple, but when you go past that, you're getting into some pretty complex territory. Isn't DexCool the special coolant, and isn't it orange? Yes to both questions, but Chrysler Group says don't use DexCool in its products. Lift the hood of a Chrysler product and you'll see orange coolant in the jug and a "special engine coolant only" warning on the cap. It cautions "don't use orange," but the factory-installed coolant is orange. Lift the hood of another Ford product (in this case, a Taurus with the pushrod V6) and you'll see that same label, but the jug contains orange coolant. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? It isn't. In pictorial language it says "Do not use orange coolant yellow coolant is okay." Lift the hood of a new Ford vehicle and you're likely to see a yellow coolant in the overflow jug and an interesting label on it.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |