Ethylene or Propylene Glycol

[Mike k]

Good morning

I am thinking of topping up using conventional automotive Ethylene Glycol in the fresh water cooling system and it seems that PG is recommended for the sea water system ( not sure why - is it just toxicity)?.Am a bit confused because i have just seen an artilce on Mercruiser/mercury winterising which suggest PG for all applications. Any views from the panel would be appreciated.

The recommended antifreeze brand is Quicksilver products Expensive- is there a genuine difference between somthing like this and Halfords own brand for example or is just a marketing tactic?.

 

[VicS]

Be aware that there are two basic types of ethylene glycol based antifreeze.

The traditional type with a low silicate corrosion inhibitor system. Generally sold for vehicles pre 1996.

An Advanced or Long-life type with "organic acid technology" ( OAT ) Suitable for newer vehicles.

The two types should not be mixed although there is a universal top-up mixture than can be used with either.

There is also a hybrid ... for some specific vehicles I think

I have no idea what inhibitors are used in propylene glycol based antifreeze!

Ethylene glycol is toxic and hazardous to the marine environment. It should always be disposed of safely ashore.

Propylene glycol is not classed as toxic. It is therefore a better choice if there is a risk that the antifreeze will be released into the environment.

There is no reason that I am aware of why an automotive antifreeze should not be used apart from the fact that it will almost ceratinly , in the UK, be ethylene glycol based.

( Halfords are doing a "3 for the price of 2" offer ... you may be able to make use of that by carefully juggling with the sizes, 5l, 2l or 1l ,that you buy)

 

[Latestarter1]

Good morning

I am thinking of topping up using conventional automotive Ethylene Glycol in the fresh water cooling system and it seems that PG is recommended for the sea water system ( not sure why - is it just toxicity)?.Am a bit confused because i have just seen an artilce on Mercruiser/mercury winterising which suggest PG for all applications. Any views from the panel would be appreciated.

The recommended antifreeze brand is Quicksilver products Expensive- is there a genuine difference between somthing like this and Halfords own brand for example or is just a marketing tactic?.

Not sure why this just crops up at this time of the year. No interest in gasoline engines but, Cat, Cummins and Yanmar have very clear specifications regarding coolant composition i.e antifreeze/inhibitor. I have no intention of opening technical discussion on use of Fleetguard DCA on wet liner engines, however coolant maintainence should be considered an all year round thing, not just somthing to think about when barometer dips.

Yanmar 6LYA is particularly sensitive to 'coolant'. You can use Yanmar's own or coolant pre-mix or similar products from Texaco or Havoline, which I doubt are available in Europe. Issue is they are all Ethylene Gycol based. However use anything other than 'spec' coolant in an LYA2 and exhaust manifold can fail in as little as four years. Last time I purchased one, manifold was over $4,000.

Lets be careful out there, just RTFM!

 

[VicS]

Not sure why this just crops up at this time of the year. No interest in gasoline engines but, Cat, Cummins and Yanmar have very clear specifications regarding coolant composition i.e antifreeze/inhibitor. I have not intention of opening technical discussion on use of Fleetguard DCA on wet liner engines, however coolant maintainence should be considered an all year round thing, not just somthing to think about when barometer dips.

Yanmar 6LYA is particularly sensitive to 'coolant'. You can use Yanmar's own or coolant pre-mix or similar products from Texaco or Havoline, which I doubt are available in Europe. Issue is they are all Ethylene Gycol based. However use anything other than 'spec' coolant in an LYA2 and exhaust manifold can fail in as little as four years. Last time I purchased one, manifold was over $4,000.

Lets be careful out there, just RTFM!

You are right it is not just as winter approaches that the coolant should be considered. The "winterisation" focusses peoples minds on it though. In the spring thoughts turn to antifouling etc!

The Yanmar manual recommends Havoline extended life or Texaco long life antifreeze and summer coolant.
They are ethylene glycol based but the important factor is that they are the silicate free, organic acid ( carboxylate I think they call it) types.

They are not unobtainable in the UK but other brands are more readily available.

The Yanmar manual repeatedly refers to the use of a long life coolant, that being the issue. I see no specific mention of ethylene glycol based antifreezes being required.


It should also be noted that soft water or distilled/deionised water is recommended for dilution. In hard water areas using a pre-diluted antifreeze would be wise.
Volvo Penta in some manuals publish a recommended specification for the water to be used. Quoting maximum concentrations for the main solutes.

 

[tinkicker0]

Not sure why this just crops up at this time of the year. No interest in gasoline engines but, Cat, Cummins and Yanmar have very clear specifications regarding coolant composition i.e antifreeze/inhibitor. I have not intention of opening technical discussion on use of Fleetguard DCA on wet liner engines, however coolant maintainence should be considered an all year round thing, not just somthing to think about when barometer dips.

Yanmar 6LYA is particularly sensitive to 'coolant'. You can use Yanmar's own or coolant pre-mix or similar products from Texaco or Havoline, which I doubt are available in Europe. Issue is they are all Ethylene Gycol based. However use anything other than 'spec' coolant in an LYA2 and exhaust manifold can fail in as little as four years. Last time I purchased one, manifold was over $4,000.

Lets be careful out there, just RTFM!

No don't. It keeps me in work