Any chemically compatible alternatives, to VP green antifreeze, please?

[NealB]

I've got a 1985 VP 2003, that would like some brand new antifreeze.

Previously, I've lashed out and bought the VP green ready mixed coolant (actually, not THAT expensive).

I've always been told that green is imperative (the yellow is for alloy engines).

Trouble is, no-one will sell it to me: I now need to have some sort of safe-disposer licence eg Volspec, at Tollesbury refuse point blank.

I'm waiting to hear from a local(ish) Volvo truck dealer, and have given them the part number.

Does anyone know if there's a reliably compatible, readily available, alternative, please?

Close-ish to Burnham would be to gild the refined gold.

 

[Graham376]

Plenty of green antifreeze available, some concentrated, others dilute - buy green antifreeze - Bing

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I've got a 1985 VP 2003, that would like some brand new antifreeze.

Previously, I've lashed out and bought the VP green ready mixed coolant (actually, not THAT expensive).

I've always been told that green is imperative (the yellow is for alloy engines).

Trouble is, no-one will sell it to me: I now need to have some sort of safe-disposer licence eg Volspec, at Tollesbury refuse point blank.

I'm waiting to hear from a local(ish) Volvo truck dealer, and have given them the part number.

Does anyone know if there's a reliably compatible, readily available, alternative, please?

Close-ish to Burnham would be to gilde the refined gold.

Try doing a search for IAT antifreeze. Quite a few around.

 

[Plum]

Plenty of green antifreeze available, some concentrated, others dilute - buy green antifreeze - Bing

The colour is not and indicator of composition. Volvo Penta Green Coolant may not be the same as green coolant from another supplier.

 

[Plum]

I've got a 1985 VP 2003, that would like some brand new antifreeze.

Previously, I've lashed out and bought the VP green ready mixed coolant (actually, not THAT expensive).

I've always been told that green is imperative (the yellow is for alloy engines).

Trouble is, no-one will sell it to me: I now need to have some sort of safe-disposer licence eg Volspec, at Tollesbury refuse point blank.

I'm waiting to hear from a local(ish) Volvo truck dealer, and have given them the part number.

Does anyone know if there's a reliably compatible, readily available, alternative, please?

Close-ish to Burnham would be to gild the refined gold.

Is it just Volspec? Many other companies selling VP green online. Tell them you can dispose of the old stuff safely using your local authority. After searching the Chelmsford Citg Council website I found "
..............motoring products (such as antifreeze and brake or clutch fluid):
Chemical waste is not accepted in your kerbside collection and where possible should be used for its intended purpose. For chemical waste from your own household, a subsidised collection of up to 20 litres of household chemicals can be arranged from your home, however larger amounts will be chargeable. To request a collection please contact waste.management@essex.gov.uk and include a list of chemicals and the amounts of each, along with your address, phone number and email address."

 

[ChromeDome]

While the colour certainly is no standard for anything coolant wise, properties are.

VP are very unclear as to what is in there but here goes (note that they point to the additives which are important and should be in any alternative you may decide on):

Volvo Penta Green Coolant is primarily based on ethylene glycol combined with specialized additives. These additives are designed to provide superior corrosion protection, especially for aluminum components, and to prevent freezing and overheating in engines.
Key properties of Volvo Penta Green Coolant:

1. Ethylene Glycol Base: The coolant uses mono-ethylene glycol as its primary component, ensuring effective heat transfer and freeze protection6.
2. Silicate Additives: Contains silicates for enhanced corrosion prevention, particularly suited for older engine designs6.
3. Ready-Mixed or Concentrate Options: Available as a ready-mixed solution (protecting down to -25°C) or as a concentrate that can be diluted with distilled water15.
4. Compatibility: Specifically formulated for earlier Volvo Penta engines; it should not be mixed with VCS yellow coolant due to incompatible inhibitor technologies27.

Always follow the recommended dilution ratios if using concentrated coolant, and ensure the coolant is changed every two years to maintain optimal engine performance.

Citations:​

1. Volvo Penta Green Coolant Concentrate, 1 Litre, Part Number 22567185
2. Volvo Penta Green Coolant 22567233, Ready Mixed
3. Volvo Penta 5L coolant green ready to use - 22567233
4. Volvo Penta Coolant Green in 1L and 5L - Premixed and Concentrate Options
5. Volvo Penta Coolant and its Performance Characteristics - GRtech
6. https://www.dedieseldokter.nl/en_GB...coolant-360c-g11-5-liter-volvo-penta-2256733/
7. https://boatersworld.com.au/genuine-volvo-penta-22567233-ready-mixed-green-coolant-5-litres/
8. https://parts4engines.com/products/volvo-penta-ready-mixed-coolant-green

 

[Graham376]

The colour is not and indicator of composition. Volvo Penta Green Coolant may not be the same as green coolant from another supplier.

Historically, colour of antifreeze indicated the types of engines they were suitable for, green being the one for old tech cast iron engines but it seems nowadays manufacturers don't always stick to what has been the norm for decades. My boat and car in Portugal both use old tech engine green - ethylene glycol as mentioned above.

 

[Beneteau381]

Historically, colour of antifreeze indicated the types of engines they were suitable for, green being the one for old tech cast iron engines but it seems nowadays manufacturers don't always stick to what has been the norm for decades. My boat and car in Portugal both use old tech engine green - ethylene glycol as mentioned above.

Correct!

 

[ChromeDome]

But in recent times manufacturers have tried all sorts of tricks to drive sales to their authorized parts stores.

The whole rainbow is in play, new definitions have been invented (e.g. G-** by VAG) and more. And then someone created a coolant that is universal - and universally miscible.



One of them is Prestone. Simply no more messing around.

 

[RivalRedwing]

These chaps will supply both OAT and glycol based antifreeze, tend to be quite good value (at least for their oil)
Antifreeze | Oils, Lubricants & Grease Specialists | Smith & Allan

 

[penberth3]

Historically, colour of antifreeze indicated the types of engines they were suitable for, green being the one for old tech cast iron engines but it seems nowadays manufacturers don't always stick to what has been the norm for decades. My boat and car in Portugal both use old tech engine green - ethylene glycol as mentioned above.

You forgot Blue. Bluecol was Blue, the only anti-freeze I remember from my formative years.

 

[NealB]

Is it just Volspec? Many other companies selling VP green online. Tell them you can dispose of the old stuff safely using your local authority. After searching the Chelmsford Citg Council website I found "
..............motoring products (such as antifreeze and brake or clutch fluid):
Chemical waste is not accepted in your kerbside collection and where possible should be used for its intended purpose. For chemical waste from your own household, a subsidised collection of up to 20 litres of household chemicals can be arranged from your home, however larger amounts will be chargeable. To request a collection please contact waste.management@essex.gov.uk and include a list of chemicals and the amounts of each, along with your address, phone number and email address."

Thank you.

I tried several other companies this morning, before getting sidetracked.

It looks likely that I will be able to get some online, but, unfortunately, not over the weekend.

A local truck dealer thinks they might have the same part number, and will be hapy to part with it.

 

[Graham376]

Thank you.

I tried several other companies this morning, before getting sidetracked.

It looks likely that I will be able to get some online, but, unfortunately, not over the weekend.

A local truck dealer thinks they might have the same part number, and will be hapy to part with it.

Do you have a local Halfords? https://www.halfords.com/motoring/advice/glysantin-antifreeze.html

 

[Plum]

Thank you.

I tried several other companies this morning, before getting sidetracked.

It looks likely that I will be able to get some online, but, unfortunately, not over the weekend.

A local truck dealer thinks they might have the same part number, and will be hapy to part with it.

Try a phone call to Althorne Marine, based at Bradwell Marina.07939 100822

 

[thinwater]

The colour is not and indicator of composition. Volvo Penta Green Coolant may not be the same as green coolant from another supplier.

^^^ THIS.

I have several formulation patents and formulated engine coolants in a former life. Color has virtually ZERO correlation to chemistry. Green can mean a lot of very different, non-compatible things. Color is chosen by the marketing department as a means of being different from others, nothing more. I have formulated the same chemistry in multiple colors, according to what the customer requested. There is NO IOS or ASTM standard, other than "distinctive."

You need to match inhibitor packages. Spec sheets and SDS will give some hints.

(Wish I could help with details, but I'm US-based. I also stopped following the details when I left that sector about 10 years ago.)

 

[ducked]

These chaps will supply both OAT and glycol based antifreeze, tend to be quite good value (at least for their oil)
Antifreeze | Oils, Lubricants & Grease Specialists | Smith & Allan

My understanding was that OAT is also glycol based, as they essentially all are, though a minority might be the less toxic propylene glycol rather than the more effective ethylene glycol.

The alphabet soup identifies the corrosion inhibitor package added.

IIRC the "basic" stuff is silicate

 

[ducked]

My understanding was that OAT is also glycol based, as they essentially all are, though a minority might be the less toxic propylene glycol rather than the more effective ethylene glycol.

The alphabet soup identifies the corrosion inhibitor package added.

IIRC the "basic" stuff is silicate

Shopping for antifreeze to use as a wood treatment last year, I came across some already advertising with the "Professional Use Only" jive that seems set restrict access to just about everything in The Yook, and (incidentally?) prevent DIY.

I assume this is due to ethylene glycol toxicity (though I dont know that the additive packages are always benign) so maybe propylene glycol will be sold for DIY use in future

 

[Graham376]

^^^ THIS.

I have several formulation patents and formulated engine coolants in a former life. Color has virtually ZERO correlation to chemistry. Green can mean a lot of very different, non-compatible things. Color is chosen by the marketing department as a means of being different from others, nothing more. I have formulated the same chemistry in multiple colors, according to what the customer requested. There is NO IOS or ASTM standard, other than "distinctive."

You need to match inhibitor packages. Spec sheets and SDS will give some hints.

(Wish I could help with details, but I'm US-based. I also stopped following the details when I left that sector about 10 years ago.)

No idea what happens on your side of the pond but when I served my apprenticeship in the motor trade (in the UK 60+ years ago) antifreeze was selected by colour and that had continued for many makes. Last time I bought antifreeze was this winter in Portugal, in Norauto, their equivalent to Halfords here. Not recognising any of the multiple types & makes on display, I asked for some ethylene glycol for cast iron engine and was handed a can of green so, some places still stick to the old colour rules.

OTOH, Googling around UK suppliers on line now, it seems, as you say, colour could be anything, depending on maker.

I have sometimes wondered, in areas where freezing temperatures never happen, whether a corrosion inhibitor such as central heating Fernox may be a better and longer lasting additive.

 

[Beneteau381]

My understanding was that OAT is also glycol based, as they essentially all are, though a minority might be the less toxic propylene glycol rather than the more effective ethylene glycol.

The alphabet soup identifies the corrosion inhibitor package added.

IIRC the "basic" stuff is silicate

I was involved in helping a motor boater here in Portugal a few years back. His port engine was over heating, He and the VP dealer had tried everything, culminating in an expensive head off and skim. €10k later it still wasn’t fixed. They said they had cleaned the heat exchanger, but, eventually they sold him a “refurbished” one which fixed the prob. They had rodded the original but hadnt removed it. The external tubes were coated in jelly! That was the cause of the overheating. They kept it! I told him, the next mug is going to pay for that as a refurb! Turns out “someone” had put OAT in with the original glycol base and it had formed the gel!
So beware!

 

[ducked]

I was involved in helping a motor boater here in Portugal a few years back. His port engine was over heating, He and the VP dealer had tried everything, culminating in an expensive head off and skim. €10k later it still wasn’t fixed. They said they had cleaned the heat exchanger, but, eventually they sold him a “refurbished” one which fixed the prob. They had rodded the original but hadnt removed it. The external tubes were coated in jelly! That was the cause of the overheating. They kept it! I told him, the next mug is going to pay for that as a refurb! Turns out “someone” had put OAT in with the original glycol base and it had formed the gel!
So beware!

You seem to be saying/implying I'm wrong, and OAT and "glycol" are different things.

They might have mixed the OAT with "silicate" coolant, AKA IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology) coolant, with which I believe it can form a gel. I THINK they both ethylene glycol base

Classic Antifreeze 20l - Rye Oil Limited

"Inorganic acid technology (IAT) antifreeze, also known as fully formulated coolant, is a traditional type of coolant that contains ethylene glycol, phosphates, and silicates. It’s usually green or blue in colour and is often used in older vehicles, particularly those manufactured before the late 1990s. This antifreeze is designed to protect cast iron, brass, copper, and aluminium parts in older vehicles, and it also contains supplemental coolant additives (SCA) to prevent engine lining corrosion."