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Topic: Any green antifreeze? (Read 782 times) previous topic - next topic

Any green antifreeze?

I need to get some antifreeze for the Detroit, so I went to the manual. Twenty pages of information, but no real answers, so I called the place that did the overhaul on the engine. The parts guy remembered me because he was the one who actually ordered everything for the job. He says that "any green concentrate" antifreeze will work. Really?

I looked around a bit here, and it seems that color doesn't matter as much as what's actually in it (or not in it). So, what should I get? I'm going to go to O'Reilly's shortly and see if I can get a couple of gallons.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #1 –
I would try and find out exactly what they put in.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #2 –
The parts guy said it is a generic green antifreeze. Price to me was $14.11/gallon, so I'm guessing that it is whatever they can get cheapest.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #3 –
All non ELC coolant is compatible amongst themselves according to their labels.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #4 –
I just pulled out the manual again and found a list I printed out, apparently from someone else's similar question. Anyway, I have the following on the list:

Castrol Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolant / Antifreeze OAT
Castrol Heavy Duty Coolant  Conventional
Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant OAT
Mobil heavy Duty Coolant conventional
Shell Rotella Fully with SCAs Conventional
Shell Fully Formulated Phosphate Free Antifreeze/coolant Conventional
Shell HD Ultra ELC  OAT
Zerex G 30 OAT
Zerex G 05 Hybrid (HOAT)
Zerex Extended Life  Hybrid (HOAT)

Do these sound right?

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: craneman –
All non ELC coolant is compatible amongst themselves according to their labels.
Yes and NO!

If a "low silicate for diesel with added SCA" green coolant, I agree.

But, do NOT use a regular (i.e. high silicate) automobile coolant.  Said another way, do not buy a gallon of regular automotive coolant at Walmart.

And, I agee, look at your invoice/call the parts guy and get the PN for what they sold you. Certainly the safest answer.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #6 –
Just got back from the store with three gallons of Zerex G-05. It specifically says it works with Detroits. Haven't opened them, so I don't know what color it is. Brett, if this isn't right I can easily take it back and try something else. I think that the next time I have the coolant changed I'm going to insist that a readily-available coolant be used AND that I get an extra gallon so I know exactly what's in the radiator.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #7 –
David,are those upper hoses still leaking,trying to figure out why your losing coolant.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #8 –
A little bit, so I'm going to change them. I also want to have some on hand anyway.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #9 –
David,

More a matter of best to what may work.  Most of the diesel coolants are compatible, but best is still to stick with what is already in there.

Best is to use more of exactly what you have in there.  Since I doubt they gave the coolant away, it should be on your receipt.  I am talking about the PN.  If not, talk with the parts guy.  If not, talk with the tech who did your work-- small enough shop that he will probably remember what he poured in there.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #10 –
Leads me to think we should all buy an extra gallon of the Antifreeze container when change is being made.  Or at least cut the label off a container and keep it in the engine compartment.  But having an 'extra' gallon does make it easy to add the exact same stuff when needed.
There are way too many different antifreeze types, and there is no other way to know for sure what is in the system.  And some stuff is not compatible with others.
Gone are the old days of one type of antifreeze.

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #11 –
Brett, "The parts guy said it is a generic green antifreeze. Price to me was $14.11/gallon, so I'm guessing that it is whatever they can get cheapest." I called the part department, read them the part number, and asked what, exactly, it was. I was told "green antifreeze." I wasn't given a brand name. I specifically said I wanted to put in what was already there, and was told any green antifreeze would work.
 

Re: Any green antifreeze?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
I specifically said I wanted to put in what was already there, and was told any green antifreeze would work.

Scary as color is no longer specific it it ever was.

Roland