Antifreeze - Can I switch to Propylene Glycol??

[WilliamBos]

Hi All,

Doing the coolant flush on our 1523 soon, and wondered if I could switch out the 'green' stuff to Propylene glycol, like Dex?

Only want one type on the shelf, and this is the only machine we have not running it.

 

[Happyman]

Yep. Go for it.

 

[WilliamBos]

Yep. Go for it.

Just do a good flush then?

 

[Happyman]

Yes. Drain, flush, refill.

 

[shiftyguy]

It is my understanding that ethylene and propylene form a sludge when mixed.
Just be certain to make sure all of the old stuff is flushed out of the entire system (including the holding tank and hose) before adding the new stuff.

 

[fieldserviceengineer]

First, Propylene Glycol is NOT Dexcool. Dexcool is ethylene glycol base with an organic acid inhibitor (2-ethyl hexanoic acid).

The statements about mixing EG and PG producing sludge are completely false. Some coolant products have PG added into the EG base glycol when the prices of EG spike at higher than PG prices. Our company has had to do this during the last really big EG cost boom which was back in the 80's when Shell EG plant in Louisiana went off line with a refinery fire. To reduce the cost of our product as our competitors did, we added PG as it was less expensive under those supply/demand conditions. In normal markets where EG is not in short supply, PG costs considerably more. The only difficulty you have with using propylene glycol is that the freeze point cannot be read accurately with a standard hydrometer. If you have a refractometer, they usually have a PG freeze scale. When mixing EG and PG, you really have no way of accurately determining the freeze point. Still, it is not really a concern as 50/50 EG has a freeze point of -34F while 50/50 PG has a freeze point of -27F, only 7F difference which will not affect the scheme at all.

Is it Dexcool you want to run in your tractor or Propylene Glycol? If your tractor radiator is made of lead soldered copper. You do not want Dexcool as the organic acid inhibitor will attack lead solder. If your radiator is aluminum, there is little risk. GM did not recommend putting Dexcool into any vehicle they build prior to 1993. The last year they built vehicles with copper radiators was 1992.

 

[WilliamBos]

I would like to run Dex. I am not sure what the rad in My 1523 is made of?? Will a simple magnet test help?

What would you recommend I run, just to be on the safe side?

First, Propylene Glycol is NOT Dexcool. Dexcool is ethylene glycol base with an organic acid inhibitor (2-ethyl hexanoic acid).

The statements about mixing EG and PG producing sludge are completely false. Some coolant products have PG added into the EG base glycol when the prices of EG spike at higher than PG prices. Our company has had to do this during the last really big EG cost boom which was back in the 80's when Shell EG plant in Louisiana went off line with a refinery fire. To reduce the cost of our product as our competitors did, we added PG as it was less expensive under those supply/demand conditions. In normal markets where EG is not in short supply, PG costs considerably more. The only difficulty you have with using propylene glycol is that the freeze point cannot be read accurately with a standard hydrometer. If you have a refractometer, they usually have a PG freeze scale. When mixing EG and PG, you really have no way of accurately determining the freeze point. Still, it is not really a concern as 50/50 EG has a freeze point of -34F while 50/50 PG has a freeze point of -27F, only 7F difference which will not affect the scheme at all.

Is it Dexcool you want to run in your tractor or Propylene Glycol? If your tractor radiator is made of lead soldered copper. You do not want Dexcool as the organic acid inhibitor will attack lead solder. If your radiator is aluminum, there is little risk. GM did not recommend putting Dexcool into any vehicle they build prior to 1993. The last year they built vehicles with copper radiators was 1992.

 

[kenmac]

magnet willnot work on lead.. I would ask dealer for recommendation. I just changed coolant in my diesel truck .. Had to use HOAT coolant

 

[fieldserviceengineer]

I would like to run Dex. I am not sure what the rad in My 1523 is made of?? Will a simple magnet test help?

What would you recommend I run, just to be on the safe side?

Should a magnet prove the radiator is made of steel or other ferrous alloy, then Dexcool will have no issues in that system. You may also want to inquire if the tractor uses any silicon rubber elastomer in any gasket exposed to coolant. Plus any exposure of the elastomer Buna Nitrile can also be an issue for Dexcool. It is the specific organic acid that I discussed that has issues with these elastomers. If you do not have these elastomers and use EPDM coolant hose instead of silicon rubber coolant hose, then Dexcool should have no issues. BTW, have you had to replace your intake manifold on the Chevy yet or had the manifold gaskets replaced (coolant passage issue)?

 

[WilliamBos]

Thanks. No issues on the truck whatsoever. Just had a coolant flush done @ 155,000 kms, and no leaks at all. The intake on the new LS engines is dry, no coolant passes through them, thankfully.