Coolants

Jim Halderman

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1
 Jim Halderman

 Former flat-rate technician

and instructor and a business
owner. Author of many
automotive books and lives in
Dayton, Ohio.
http://jameshalderman.com

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 Topics to be Discussed

Engine coolants- Purpose and function

Water (1/2 of the coolant)

Coolant Types

Cooling system testing

Cooling system service

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 What is Coolant?

Coolant is a mixture of:

1. Water (50%) Additives: About 3%

2. Anti-Freeze
(ethylene glycol-about 93%)
3. Corrosion inhibitors Ethylene
(additives) Water:
Glycol: 47%
50%

Coolant

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Need to know
 Additives

The major additives:

1. Reduce corrosion
2. Buffer (control) pH
3. Add color (dye)

Need to know 5
 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.

Need to know 6
 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 7
 Freeze and Boil

Pure Water 50/50 Anti- 70/30 Anti-

Freeze/Water Freeze/Water
Freezing 0° C (32° F) -37° C (-35° F) -55° C (-67° F)
Point
Boiling Point 100° C (212° F) 106° C (223° F) 113° C (235° F)

Need to know 8
 Ethylene Glycol (EG)

Ethylene glycol is the base

antifreeze used in every
OEM factory fill.
The additive package will
vary.

Need to know 9
 Propylene Glycol (PG)

• 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 10
 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 11
 Bittered States

At this time, 7/20/10, 12 states require antifreeze with

a bittering agent: dentonium benzoate. They are:
• Arizona • New Mexico • Virginia
• California • Oregon • Vermont
• Maine • Tennessee • Washington
• New Jersey • Utah • Wisconsin
4 states: Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
and Ohio are working on a similar rule.
 IAT (Usually Green in Color)

Inorganic Additive Technology

(IAT) antifreeze can contain:
• Silicates (possible
abrasive dropouts)
• Phosphates
• Borates

IAT is considered obsolete and can cause early failure of

ceramic-phenolic seals used in newer water pumps.

Need to know 13
 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.
Need to know 14
 OAT (Usually Orange)

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.

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.

Need to know 15
 OAT-continued

NAPS=nitrates, amines,
phosphate and silicate free

Nice to know 16
 OAT=DEX-COOL is one brand

Nice to know 17
 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

Nice to know 18
 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

Need to know 19
 Rust in Engine

• DEX-COOL + Air= rust

or
DEX-COOL + core sand
= Brown gunk

Need to know 20
 DEX-COOL Concerns

• Root cause= air entering system

• Check cap replace cap

• Air causes ‘Brown Gunk’

• Rust then causes blockages

Need to know 21
 Dex-Cool &
OAT that meets GM Spec.
Prestone markets an OAT antifreeze (Extended
Life)

“compatible with ANY antifreeze/ coolant” that

meets the GM Dex-Cool spec.

It is less expensive than Dex-Cool-labeled

products because of no-royalty cost.

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 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 23
 HOAT=Red; Pink; Yellow or Blue

Nice to know 24
 POAT Coolant
• Phosphated Organic
Acid Technology
(POAT)
• Dark Green in color
• Used in Mazda-based
Fords (2008+)
• same as Mazda FL-
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• $34.95 per gallon
 Ford Motor Company & E-OAT

The E = European, low silicate and phosphate free

•Ford of Europe has validated Dex-Cool and uses it with no problems.

•Ford of U.S. has reengineered all of their new engines (No- Cavitation water
pumps and no-silicone rubber or Nylon 66) to work with this formula.

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 Ford/Mercury Coolant
Pre 1999 99—01 2002 2003 2004

The 1999—2001
Cougar used a OAT
Dex-Cool clone, but had
issues with water pump
cavitation.

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 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.

Nice to know 28
 Replacement Antifreeze
The best choice is to follow the vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations

OR

you can follow the recommendations of reliable

antifreeze manufacturers

Need to know
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 Passivation

• Passivation= is a chemical reaction the takes

place between coolant additives and the metal that it
protects
• Takes a few days or few weeks
• It creates barrier between the metal and corrosion
• Each chemical package does its own passivation
• if you change chemical packages, passivation has to
start over

• It boils down to: DO NOT CHANGE PACKAGES.

Nice to know 30
 “G” Designations

• G= Glysantin –trade name of BASF. Valvoline

(Zerex) in the US.
• G30, G33, G34= non-silicate and phosphate
free (DEX-COOL replacement)
• G05 = Phosphate free-low silicates (Asian
formula and Chrysler HOAT)

Nice to know 31
 “G” Designations-continued

• G11=Blue VW used before 1997

• G12=Pink/Red VW 1997+
• G12=Purple VW 2003+
• HOAT formulation; phosphate free

? 32
 “G” Designations-continued

• G48=Low Silicate and Phosphate free

• Blue Color
• NAP =nitrates, amines, phosphate free
• BMW

? 33
 Universal Coolant

• Arctic Blend
• Recycool
•Prestone Prime

Coolants that have been formulated to be used in

any vehicle

Nice to know 34
 Color
The 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 35
36
 Substance pH
Hydrochloric acid -1.0
Battery acid 0.5

pH Lemon juice
Cola
2.4
2.5
Vinegar 2.9
Acid Orange or Apple juice 3.5
Acid Rain <5.0
pH is a measure of acidity or Tea or healthy skin 5.5

alkalinity of a solution. Milk 6.5

Less than 7 is considered acidic. Pure water 7.0

Healthy human saliva 6.5 – 7.4
Greater than 7 is considered
Blood 7.34 – 7.45
alkaline. Sea water 7.7 – 8.3
Hand soap 9.0 – 10.0

Alkaline Household ammonia 11.5

Bleach 12.5
Household lye 13.5
Caustic Soda 13.9

Nice to know 37
 pH Effects

Fresh antifreeze pH= 9 and 11

Used coolant pH= 7.5 and 10

It can also increase electrolysis

( the dissimilar metals in contact with an electrolyte can
produce a simple battery)

Need to know 38
 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)

Need to know 39
 pH Tests

pH can be measure using test strips or a

meter.
Fairly accurate and costs pennies/test.

Need to know 40
 pH Meter

This Milwaukee is probably more accurate and cost $30.00.

Need to know 41
 Corrosion

Corrosion is the “decomposition of metal”

(called rust or aluminum oxide, the whitish
material that forms on aluminum components)
Oxide formation:
1. eats away at the parent material from the
outside
2. forms an insulating barrier for heat transfer
Need to know 42
 Metal Corrosion

This iron tube has

been ruined by rust.

Need to know 43
 Corrosion

aluminum oxide, often

found on coolant
outlet/stat cover

Need to know 44
 Corroded Water Pump

One of the reasons for the removal of silicates from coolant

Need to know 45
 Corroded pump can cause:

• reduced coolant flow

and an overheating
condition

Need to know 46
 Cavitation

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 .

Need to know 47
 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 48
 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.
Need to know 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

Need to know 50
 Metals

Nice to know 51
 Bi-Metal Corrosion

Ions move from more active metals to less active metal

through the coolant which acts like the electrolyte
Nice to know 52
 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.
Need to know 53
 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 54
 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.

Need to know 55
 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.

Need to know 56
 Freeze
Protection, Refractometer

A few drops of coolant are placed

under the sample window. The
technician then holds the unit up Eye Piece
to light and looks through the eye
piece (right end).

Sample
Window

Need to know 57
 Refractometer Image

Shadow

Read Here

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.

Need to know 58
 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.

Need to know 59
 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.

Need to know 60
 Coolant Replacement

1. 15 to 20% remains in the system after it has

been drained
2. Fill system with antifreeze first and top off with
water
3. Be sure to use the specified coolant
(GM warns not to reuse coolant drained from the system)

(Mercedes has a lifetime coolant, drain, filter, & reuse)

Need to know 61
 Coolant Replacement-#2

• Check the pressure cap and radiator for faults

• Check all hoses and always use coolant hose

Need to know 62
 Coolant Recovery and Storage

Some shops recycle used

antifreeze
Should be stored until
picked up for recycling
Notice double containers
to help avoid spills

Need to know 63
 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
Caution: If flushing a really dirty system,
be prepared to repair some leaks.
Need to know 64
 Flushing

Some communities permit draining into sewer.

EG and PG will biodegrade. There is a problem
however if coolant is spilled on open ground.
Need to know 65
 Be sure to clean the
overflow/surge tank

It should empty if you

start draining with the
cap in place.

Need to know 66
 Mix Coolant 50/50 or use premix

? 67
 Coolant Exchange Machine

Most shops use machines

like this.

Coolant drains have

become fragile and hard
to find.

Need to know 68
 TECH TIP
• Check the freezing Point after service
• Should be -34 degrees F (proper 50/50
mix)
• If higher (i.e. -20 F) this means that there
is too much water.
• If lower (i.e. -40 F) this means that there is
too much antifreeze
 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.

Need to know 70
 Cap has two seals
Upper Seal

Filler Neck

Lower Seal

To CRR

What will happen if the upper seal fails?

What will happen if the lower seal fails?
Need to know 71
 Never open when hot!
1 psi will increase the coolant boiling point 2.7oF.
A 15 lb. Cap will increase the BP 40.5oF.

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

Need to know 72
 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
equipment
Need to know 73
 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 74
 Leak Detection

A good system holds pressure

Tracer dye and some antifreezes glow under UV light

Need to know 75
 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

Need to know 76
 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
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 Contact Information

• www.prenhall.com/automotive

• http://jameshalderman.com

Jim Halderman-
jim@jameshalderman.com

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