11

Coolants

22

What is Coolant?

Coolant is a mixture of: 1. Water (50%)

2. Freeze depressant (Usually ethylene glycol-about 93%)

3. Corrosion inhibitors (additives)

Water: 50%

Ethylene Glycol: 47%

Additives: About 3%

Coolant

Need to know

33

Water

Water is the principal ingredient and:

1. Is inexpensive 2. Is a very efficient heat exchange fluid 3. Has excellent thermal conductivity 4. Has a good specific heat 5. Freezes at 32°F (0°C) 6. Boils at 212°F (100°C)The water used in coolant must be clean &

pure.

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44

Good Water

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for water quality include:

Chloride <40 ppm Sulfate <100

ppm Calcium <100 ppm Magnesium <100 ppm Total Hardness <170 ppm pH Range: 5.5—9.0 Iron <1 ppm

Nice to know

55

Good Quality Water

Good quality water types include:

• Deionized

• Distilled

• Demineralized

• Purified

Need to know

6

City Tap Water

Usually unknown quality Can have unwanted

chlorides, minerals, or salts Unknown pH

Need to know

7

What to do?

Test the water at the shop and if it has high mineral content, consider:

1. Purchasing distilled or de-mineralized water

2. Installing a micro filtration system

3. Installing a reverse osmosis system

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Burst Pressure

Water expands when it freezes, and this creates the burst pressure that can break cooling system components.

Antifreezes (freeze depressants) lower the freeze temperature.

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Freeze & Boil

Pure Water 50/50 Anti-Freeze/Water

70/30 Anti-Freeze/Water

Freezing Point

0° C (32° F) -37° C (-35° F) -55° C (-67° F)

Boiling Point 100° C (212° F) 106° C (223° F) 113° C (235° F)

Need to know

10

Ethylene Glycol

Ethylene glycol is the base antifreeze used in every OEM factory fill. The additive package will vary.

Need to know

11

Propylene Glycol

Only sold to the aftermarket

Not recommended for use by vehicle manufacturers

More expensive than EG, Increased cost is $/gallon

Still toxic but is not as sweet as EG

Need to know

1212

Poison

Need to know

1313

MSDS

Need to know

14

Embittered Coolant

Embittered = tastes awful

Embittering agent is required (denatonium benzoate, 30 ppm) Required in California and Oregon since 2004 but not included on the label.Need to know

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Additives

The major additives:

1. reduce corrosion

2. buffer pH

3. add color (dye)

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1616

ColorThe color helps us identify a coolant leak. It also helps us identify the additive package.

Should not be used as an indicator what to use-some Chrysler vehicles used HOAT coolant that was green

Need to know

17Need to

know 17

IAT

Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) is the traditional green coolant used in most older vehicles. This solution offers fast-acting corrosion protection, but the additives are quickly consumed, exposing the cooling system to possible corrosion problems if not changed regularly.

1818

IAT (Usually Green in Color)

IAT antifreeze can contain: Silicates (possible

abrasive dropouts) Phosphates Borates

Need to know

IAT is considered obsolete and can cause early failure of ceramic-phenolic seals used in newer water pumps.

1919

OAT (Usually Orange)

The downside of OAT is it is not compatible with other types of coolant (IAT and HOAT). In fact, Ford, Chrysler and others say to not use this type of coolant in their newer models.

Organic Acid Technology (OAT) is the formula found in DEX-COOL®, and is usually the antifreeze/coolant of choice for GM, VW, and many Japanese/Asian vehicles. This formula is engineered to offer long-life corrosion protection.

Need to know

20

OAT-continued

NAPS=nitrates, amines, phosphate and silicate free

Nice to know

21

OAT=DEX-COOL is one brand

Nice to know

22

DEX-COOL Concerns

Root cause seems to be air entering system past the cap and leaking intake manifolds

Replace cap and check cap seats if radiator contains air

Air causes rust of cast iron and formation of ‘Brown Gunk’

Rust then causes blockagesNeed to know

23

Rust in Engine

Need to know

24

GM DEX-COOL Problems

Class action suit; GM may have to pay for intake gaskets on V-6s (V-8s still being determined)

Brown Gunk on radiator cap

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25

DEX-COOL’s Unique Formulation

DEX-COOL uses Ethylhexanoic Acid (2-EH) as a corrosive inhibitor

2-EH is prone to damage plastics like Nylon 6.6 used in intake manifold gaskets and radiators

G30 OAT and Peak Global OAT do NOT use 2-EH

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2626

HOAT (Many colors)

Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) is found in newer Ford, Chrysler and Mercedes vehicles. Said to use the very best aspects of both IAT and OAT, HOAT is a very protective, long-life coolant.

Need to know

27

HOAT=Red; Pink; Yellow or Blue

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28

“G” Designations

G= Glysantin –trade name of BASF. Valvoline (Zerex) in the US.

G30 and G34= non-silicate and phosphate free

G05 = different from Texaco’s DEX-COOL, G05 product contains from 252 to 308 PPM Silicon which Valvoline believes provides a better aluminum protection

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29

“G” Designations-continued

G11=Blue VW used before 1997 G12=Pink/Red VW 1997+ G12=Purple VW 2003+ HOAT formulation; phosphate free

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30

“G” Designations-continued

G48=Low Silicate and Phosphate free

Blue Color NAP =nitrates, amines, phosphate

free BMW

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31

Replacement Antifreeze

The best choice is to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

OR, you can follow the recommendations of reliable antifreeze manufacturers (next slide).

Need to know

32

Antifreeze Applications n

3333

pH

Substance pH

Hydrochloric acid -1.0

Battery acid 0.5

Lemon juice 2.4

Cola 2.5

Vinegar 2.9

Orange or Apple juice 3.5

Acid Rain <5.0

Tea or healthy skin 5.5

Milk 6.5

Pure water 7.0

Healthy human saliva 6.5 – 7.4

Blood 7.34 – 7.45

Sea water 7.7 – 8.3

Hand soap 9.0 – 10.0

Household ammonia 11.5

Bleach 12.5

Household lye 13.5

Caustic Soda 13.9

pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Less than 7 is considered acidic. Greater than 7 is considered alkaline.

Alkaline

Acid

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pH Effects

Fresh antifreeze should have a pH between 9 and 11, used between 7.5 and 10. Antifreeze tends to become more acidic over time.

Excessively acidic or alkaline coolant will cause corrosion of cooling system components through galvanic action. It can also increase electrolysis; the dissimilar metals in contact with an electrolyte can produce a simple battery.

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pH of various coolants

IAT= 9.0-10.5 new OAT= 7.5-8.5 new (G30 and G34

designation) HOAT= 7.5-8.5 new (G05,G48,G11

or G12 designation)

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Desired pH

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3737

Compound Purpose

Ethylene Glycol Lower freeze point, Raise boil point

Conventional Antifreeze

Block Polymers Defoamant & Scale & Deposit Control

Borate Iron protection & pH control

Nitrate Aluminum & solder protection

Nitrite Cast iron & steel protection

Mercacaptobenzothiazole (MBT) & Tolytriazole (TT)

Copper & brass protection

Phosphate Iron protection & pH control

Silicate Aluminum corrosion protection

Conventional Antifreeze Compounds

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Compound Purpose

Nitrite Cast iron & steel protection

Modified silicone Defoamant

Defoamant

Borate Iron protection & pH control

Molybdate Iron corrosion protection

Potassium soap of Dibasic Carboxylic Acid

Iron, solder, and aluminum protection

Potassium soap of Dibasic Monobasic Carboxylic Acid

Aluminum and iron (with sebacate) protection

Phosphate protection & pH control

Tolytriazole (TT) Copper corrosion protection

Extended Life Antifreeze Compounds

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39

Coolant Summary

Ethylene glycol - Most ethylene glycol coolant is any color and contains about 93% ethylene glycol plus water and additives.

Propylene glycol - less harmful to pets and animals because it is not sweet tasting, although it is still harmful if swallowed.

Organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze coolant – This type is ethylene glycol based but it does not contain silicates or phosphates. It is usually orange. DEXCOOL is an OAT coolant.

Hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT) – This orange, green, red, blue or yellow coolant is an ethylene glycol based coolant similar to the OAT- type antifreeze as it uses additives (a low amount of silicate)

VW/Audi pink - Most of these coolants are HOAT (ethylene glycol-based with some silicate and contain an organic acid) and are phosphate free. Asian red – This coolant is ethylene glycol-based and is silicate-free, yet contains

phosphate. Mercedes and Ford yellow – This conventional ethylene glycol coolant has low

amounts of silicate and no phosphates. Mercedes Lifetime – Very expensive, can be drained, filtered and reused. Korean or European blue – This conventional ethylene glycol coolant has low amounts

of silicate and no phosphates.

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Coolant Related ProblemsProblem Appears as: Caused

by: Prevented by:

Cavitation Water pump impeller pitting

Low pressure at

impeller

Good coolant & Cooling system pressure

Corrosion Rust & pitting Acidic coolant

Good coolant

Erosion Inside-out wear

Dirty coolant

Good coolant

Electrolysis

Inside-out pitting

Acidic coolant & Stray current

Good coolant & Proper electrical grounds

Scale White coating Bad water Good waterNeed to know

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Corroded Water Pump

One of the reasons for the removal of silicates from coolant

Need to know

42

Corroded pump can cause:

reduced coolant flow and an overheating condition

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4343

Cavitation

Cavitation is the sudden formation and collapse of low-pressure bubbles. With gasoline engines, the pressure drop can occur at the inlet of the water pump. These bubbles produce a pitting of the solid metal .

Cavitation

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44

Cavitation Damage

The very low pressure can produce gas bubbles that implode next to a metal surface. The implosion blasts particles from the surface.

Need to know

45

Diesel Wet Sleeve Cavitation

The sleeve can vibrate during the combustion stroke producing the pressure drop, bubbles, and metal erosion. Heavy duty coolants contain supplemental coolant additives (SCA) to help prevent this.

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4646

Corrosion

Common corrosion is the “decomposition of metal” and is commonly called rust, an iron oxide that forms on iron components.

Corrosion is also aluminum oxide, the whitish material that forms on aluminum components

Oxide formation eats away at the parent material from the outside, and it also forms an insulating barrier for heat transfer.Need to know

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Corrosion

aluminum oxide, often found on coolant outlet/stat cover

Need to know

48

Metal Corrosion

This iron tube has been ruined by rust.

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49

Galvanic action

Galvanic activity does not require an outside source of voltage

The higher the conductivity of the coolant, the greater the amount of corrosion

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Metals

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Bi-Metal Corrosion

Ions move from more active metals to less active metal through the coolant which acts like the electrolyteNice to know

5252

Electrolysis

Electrolysis requires the use of an outside voltage source.

When electrical ions move from metal to the coolant, they can take metal atoms with them. This metal transfer can eat holes in a heater core or radiator. Electrolysis holes will usually start from the inside and have a dark coloration.

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Scale

The oil cooler in this radiator tank is covered with white scale. The scale caused the transmission fluid to overheat, and this contributed to early transmission failure.

If the ECT sensor received a scale coating like this, what would happen to engine and transmission performance?

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54

Coolant Tests

Normal coolant tests include: Visual Inspection: should be clean and bright Freeze Point: high boiling point indicates

dilution pH: wrong pH indicates buffer loss Coolant Voltage: high voltage indicates wrong

pH or stray current flow Miscellaneous or Fleet Concerns

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55

Depletion Rate of Additives

Need to know

56

Coolant Condition

This “green” antifreeze has a clean, bright appearance. The other types will have a different color but should also appear clean and bright.

A muddy brown or rust-reddish color indicates that corrosion is occurring.

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57

Freeze Protection, Refractometer

A few drops of coolant are placed under the sample window. The technician then holds the unit up to light and looks through the eye piece (right end).

Sample Window

Eye Piece

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58

Refractometer Image

The image will show the amount of freeze protection and is read at the scale at the bottom edge of the shadow. This unit can check EG and PG antifreeze freeze protection and battery specific gravity.

Shadow

Read Here

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5959

Freeze Protection, Test Strips

Test strips will change color when they are dipped into the coolant, and the color change is compared to the container.

Test strips are fairly accurate, easy to use, and inexpensive.

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Coolant Corrosion Protection

The new test strip color is compared to the color pads on the container to determine the amount of freeze protection and corrosion protection.

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61

Freeze Protection, Hydrometer

? Accuracy

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62

Can you trust this?

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Testing Coolant with a Voltmeter

This test gives variable and questionable results depending on many factors

Galvanic=less than 200 mV Electrolysis= (engine running and

accessories switched on and off)=less than 300 mV. This check can locate faulty ground connections

Need to know

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Radiator Voltage

Connect the negative voltmeter lead to a good ground (this radiator has a plastic filler neck), and immerse the positive lead into the coolant. A reading of 0.300 V or greater indicates corrosion is probably occurring.

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65

pH Tests

pH can be measure using test strips or a meter.

Fairly accurate and costs pennies/test.

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66

pH Meter

This Milwaukee is probably more accurate and cost $30.00.

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67

Coolant Replacement

About 15 to 20% remains in the system after it has been drained

Fill system with antifreeze first and top off with water

Or use premixed coolant for good results, and adjust to 50-50 mix

Be sure to use the specified coolant GM warns not to reuse coolant drained

from the system

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Coolant Replacement-#2

Check the pressure cap and radiator for faults Check all hoses and always use coolant hose

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Ford Specifications

Yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1.* Green-colored Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant, meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.* Orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D.

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Universal Coolant? Universal antifreeze is a traditional green, all-purpose inorganic, additive

formula suitable for use in passenger cars and light duty trucks Chrysler/Ford <2003 & GM <1995).

Arctic Blend Universal antifreeze/coolant contains a bittering agent to deter accidental swallowing.

ASTM D-3306 • ASTM D-4340 • ASTM D-4985 • ASTM D-4656 • ASTM D-6471 • Cummins 90T8-4 • Detroit Diesel 7SE298 • GM 1825 • GM 1899 • GM 6038M • GM 1825M • SAE 1941 • Thermo-King • TMC RP 302B • John Deere 8650-5

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Universal Coolant Universal Gold premixed antifreeze/coolant is a

universal, hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT), extended life, low-silicate, phosphate-free antifreeze/coolant suitable for automotive/light duty and heavy duty diesel applications. This product was formulated to meet Ford WSS M97B51-A1 and Chrysler MS 9769 and other "global antifreeze" type specifications, as well as ASTM D3306, D4985 and D6210/11. Since this is a HOAT extended life antifreeze/ coolant it combines carboxylate organic acid salts with conventional inorganic salts and azoles; making it compatible with both extended life and conventional technology antifreeze/coolants.

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72

Universal Coolant

Arctic Blend, Recycool, and Prestone Prime are coolants that have been formulated to be used in any vehicle. Two of these are ethylene glycol-based and one is propylene glycol-based. Exact specifications are available on the internet.

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Passivation Passivate is a chemical reaction the takes

place between coolant additives and the metal that it protects. It is fairly fast, a few days, with some combinations and slow, weeks, with others. It creates the barrier between the metal and corrosion, and each chemical creates it's own barrier. Each chemical package (IAT, OAT, or HOAT) does its own passivation, and if you change chemical packages, passivation has to start over, possibly impeded by the earlier package.

  It boils down to: DO NOT CHANGE PACKAGES.

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74

Coolant Recovery and Storage

Some shops recycle used antifreeze

Should be stored until picked up for recycling

Notice double containers to help avoid spills

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Flushing a Dirty System

1. Drain system 2. Fill system with clean water & chemical 3. Run system to operating temp. (Heater on) 4. Drain system & fill with clean water 5. Repeat until drain water runs clear Any remaining flush agent will upset pH. 6. Fill system with 50/50 antifreeze/water mix 7. Run system to operating temp. (Heater on) 8. Adjust coolant level

Need to know

Caution: If flushing a really dirty system, be prepared to repair some leaks.

76

Flushing

Some communities permit draining into sewer. EG and PG will biodegrade. There is a problem however if coolant is spilled on open ground.

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Be sure to clean the overflow/surge tank

It should empty if you start draining with the cap in place.

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Mix Coolant 50/50 or use premix

?

79

Coolant Exchange Machine

Most shops use machines like this.

Coolant drains have become fragile and hard to find.

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Always check or replace the radiator pressure cap

The cap can be located on

1. the radiator

2. The coolant recovery reservoir

3. The upper radiator hose

Note the pressure.

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Cap has two seals

What will happen if the upper seal fails? What will happen if the lower seal fails?

Upper Seal

Filler Neck

Lower Seal

To CRR

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82

Never open when hot!

What can happen if the cap is removed from a hot system?

Need to know

1 psi will increase the coolant boiling point 2.7oF. A 15 lb. Cap will increase the BP 40.5oF.

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Proper Fill

All of the air must be removed from the cooling system by one of these methods:

Bleeder screw: lets air escape Air Lift: evacuates system before fill Spill-Free Funnel: Lisle #22150 Fluid Exchange: requires special

equipmentNeed to know

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Bleeder Valves

Use a clear hose attached to the bleeder valve and the other end in a “suitable” container

Prevents coolant from getting on the engine and gives the technician a visual clue as to color of coolant

Need to know

85

Leak Detection

A good system holds pressure

Tracer dye and some antifreezes glow under UV light

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What should Technician's do?

Check service information for the designated coolant and replacement interval

Check the coolant appearance and level at every service

Check the pressure cap appearance at every service

Check the appearance and pH for signs that the coolant should be replaced before the regular service interval

Check Freeze Point, pH, and Galvanic/Electrolysis

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Typical Questions/Answers

1. Are all green antifreezes the same?A. No-Chrysler used HOAT coolant that was green like IAT coolant

2. Can DEX-COOL be replaced with conventional green coolant?A. Yes, but then the coolant has be replaced every 24 months or 24,000 miles

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Questions/Answers

3. Can coolants be mixed?A. No

4. Is DEX-COOL propylene glycol ?A. No. DEX-COOL and all other coolants are ethylene glycol except one labeled propylene glycol and is never used from the factory

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Summary Not all coolants are the same Not all tap water is OK to use Premixed coolant usually produces

good results Check the coolant freezing/boiling point Check the coolant pH Always check or replace the pressure

cap, especially on DEX-COOL vehicles