swathdiver
Full Access Member
I have seen several posts as of late of folks replacing propylene glycol (Dexcool) with the older ethylene glycol.
We should discourage folks from making this switch as I believe it is a mistake.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2014/08/01/tech-101-the-colors-of-antifreeze/
Not mentioned in the article is the boiling point of the two coolants. Ethylene Glycol (green) has a boiling point when mixed 50/50 with water of 250 degrees.
Propylene Glycol (Dexcool) has a boiling point when mixed 50/50 with water of 265 degrees.
GM introduced Dexcool in 1995 and has redesigned the cooling systems to take advantage of this coolant and takes the higher boiling point into consideration in computer programming and engine design.
Nuggets from the article:
1. Lasts longer
2. Friendly with aluminum radiators and heads
3. Not so friendly with copper radiators and lead solder
4. Hoses last longer, see ECD in the article
5. Ecologically friendly
Many of the horror stories attributed to Dexcool stem from ignorance. Folks topping off their Dexcool equipped vehicle's radiator with ethelyne glycol or too much water over time ruining its 50/50 balance which lowers the boiling point and longevity of the fluid. Not to mention creating that awful sludge that clogs the coolant passages in the block and radiator core.
Mine own experience with Dexcool vehicles has been positive. Most of the cars have had zero cooling system issues or needed maintenance over the last 20+ years, not even a radiator hose.
Remember all the radiator hoses we changed when we ran the green stuff? Comments?
We should discourage folks from making this switch as I believe it is a mistake.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2014/08/01/tech-101-the-colors-of-antifreeze/
Not mentioned in the article is the boiling point of the two coolants. Ethylene Glycol (green) has a boiling point when mixed 50/50 with water of 250 degrees.
Propylene Glycol (Dexcool) has a boiling point when mixed 50/50 with water of 265 degrees.
GM introduced Dexcool in 1995 and has redesigned the cooling systems to take advantage of this coolant and takes the higher boiling point into consideration in computer programming and engine design.
Nuggets from the article:
1. Lasts longer
2. Friendly with aluminum radiators and heads
3. Not so friendly with copper radiators and lead solder
4. Hoses last longer, see ECD in the article
5. Ecologically friendly
Many of the horror stories attributed to Dexcool stem from ignorance. Folks topping off their Dexcool equipped vehicle's radiator with ethelyne glycol or too much water over time ruining its 50/50 balance which lowers the boiling point and longevity of the fluid. Not to mention creating that awful sludge that clogs the coolant passages in the block and radiator core.
Mine own experience with Dexcool vehicles has been positive. Most of the cars have had zero cooling system issues or needed maintenance over the last 20+ years, not even a radiator hose.
Remember all the radiator hoses we changed when we ran the green stuff? Comments?