Universal antifreeze

[zahc]

My Chevy tahoe: "Use only Dex-cool coolant or suffer total protonic reversal!"

My Mazda: "use only Mazda FL-22 coolant or engine will exprode!"

Prestone Universal: "suitable for ALL makes and ALL models of cars and trucks. Ok to mix with ANY color of coolant."

I remeber when all antifreeze was green and interchangeable. I think its all just a ploy to sell us expensive coolant at the dealer. Are the universal coolants really, or are THEY the ones lying?

[Brad Johnson]

Dexcool uses organophosphates and silicates that were, at one time, better at holding back the corrosion and electrolysis inherent in mixed-metal engine configurations (aluminum heads, iron block).  Now, all coolants have taken that into account. The only real issue now is mixing PG coolants with Dexcool.  Instant sludge.  The only way to use PG based coolant in a Dex-filled engine is a complete flush, and a damned thorough one at that.  Any little bit of Dex left will bring on Very Bad Things.

Brad

[230RN]

"My Mazda: 'use only Mazda FL-22 coolant or engine will exprode!' "


I assume PG = Propylene Glycol.  (More for the benefit of others who might ask.)

Terry

[Brad Johnson]

I assume PG = Propylene Glycol.

Terry

Yeppers.

Brad

[Boomhauer]

You can buy DexCool coolant at the store, both name and house brands.

Dunno about the Mazda stuff.

[Brad Johnson]

IIRC the Mazda coolant has a different formulation that doesn't deteriorate plastics.  I believe Peak Global is formulated the same way.

Aha!  My google fu reveals that the mystery compound is 2EH (2-ethyl-hexanoate).  FL-22, Peak Global, and Zerex G05 supposedly lack the offending chemical.

Brad