Volvo Type 90 anti freeze

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Teddy

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Does anybody know of an equivalent replacement which doesn't cost over £31 for 5L. In the past people have suggested bus / lorry sources as being cheaper, but I can't find anyone!

I presume the "green stuff" is the only "correct" way to go.

Anybody?
 
I think you will find that all the Comma antifreezes are based on 1,2-ethanediol like most if not all common brands of antifreeze.

I am assuming that the Volvo type 90 is based on the much less toxic 1,2-propanediol. I haven't confirmed that though. Google searches for Volvo and 90 simply find Volvo Car's variety of Chelsea tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
I'd love to know the answer to this. People before have told me to only use Volvo antifreeze as its 'special' stuff to suit the engine. Surely it can't be all that special, and can be sourced locally much cheaper? OK so I know it's the lime green stuff, but is there different varients of the stuff?
 
Volvo now just call their antifreeze "Coolant", not type 90 anymore. Apparently it meets ASTM D4985 specification, which it seems many don't.

ASTM D4985 is a low silicate ethylene glycol based coolant designed for heavy duty engines.

Canada and the US seem to have it hacked, selling Prestone Extended Life 5/150 and LowTox, Zerex Original Green and Shellzone Universal, all meeting or exceeding the required spec.

I'm not sure the 2 Halford branded coolants comply. Comma coolant doesn't

The closest I have found in UK is Fuchs Eskimo universal (blue) which claims to be the right spec. at £53 for 20L, plus postage comes to £64, which is almost exactly half of the Volvo price.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-971-fuchs-eskimo-universal-antifreeze-versatile-meg-antifreeze.aspx

Now the big question. Would you change your green stuff to blue stuff? Maybe after giving the engine a good flush? At least you would see any leaks more easily.

Perhaps that's why the Volvo stuff is dyed green. Someone must know who makes it .

What do you think?
 
Teddy said:
Volvo now just call their antifreeze "Coolant", not type 90 anymore. Apparently it meets ASTM D4985 specification, which it seems many don't.

ASTM D4985 is a low silicate ethylene glycol based coolant designed for heavy duty engines.

Canada and the US seem to have it hacked, selling Prestone Extended Life 5/150 and LowTox, Zerex Original Green and Shellzone Universal, all meeting or exceeding the required spec.

I'm not sure the 2 Halford branded coolants comply. Comma coolant doesn't

The closest I have found in UK is Fuchs Eskimo universal (blue) which claims to be the right spec. at £53 for 20L, plus postage comes to £64, which is almost exactly half of the Volvo price.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-971-fuchs-eskimo-universal-antifreeze-versatile-meg-antifreeze.aspx

Now the big question. Would you change your green stuff to blue stuff? Maybe after giving the engine a good flush? At least you would see any leaks more easily.

Perhaps that's why the Volvo stuff is dyed green. Someone must know who makes it .

What do you think?
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Dragging this out of the forum vaults as I need to replace the coolant on the boat.. I've found this stuff in fleabay which appears to fit the bill.. what do the experts think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-5L-Ku...192458?hash=item1ebc2ea54a:g:NOoAAOSwA3dYEyw5

Same product and vendor (just in a smaller volume) here states it confirms to ASTM D4985 standards

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K2-GREEN-Long-Life-Antifreeze-Coolant-Radiator-35-C-1L-GREEN-1-LITRE-/131985167799?hash=item1ebaedd5b7:g:Ka0AAOSwXeJYEyl6

.....it's green and made in Sweden apparently - rather Volvo-esk !



 
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Thanks for the reply Dave. The Kular stuff is £12.50 for 5l of concentrate so £6.25 equivalent of the ready mix for 5l... That's enough saving for a pint of beer in central London :)
 
If it meets the standard it should be fine.

However, I add Fleetguard DCA2 to my engines to prevent cavitational liner erosion, but with this use the cheapest EG based antifreeze I can find as my Cummins bus engines seem a lot less fussy, and when considered against the awful gunk I removed last year anything must be an improvement. I did have to drain my Port engine a few weeks ago as part of replacing the exhaust hose, and the coolant that came out after one season was as clean as it went in, mind you I did use several bottles of speed flush last year when I changed the coolant. I expect that coolant had seen considerably more than the recommended 2 years, although all the time the current coolant remains clean and fresh looking it will stay put. I reckon this should be at least 5 years.

I used this stuff http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLUE-ANTI...id=100005&rk=3&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=132006192458

My port engine was also getting cold too quickly on the return trip up river to the mooring so I replaced the thermostat on both engines this Winter also. Last trip out saw the temperature steady at ~80 right back to the mooring.

Like oils, I am of a view that lots of fuss is made over antifreeze after all I doubt VP actually manufacture either, but seeding a little doubt over the 'right' quality product to use is good for after sales profits, after all most owners are not engineers. The large marine turbo generator diesels I serviced in the RN simply used a heavy duty diesel oil known as OMD113 indeed all Navy diesels used this stuff, with plain EG coolant at 25% mix.

Happy New Year BTW
 
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oGaryo said:
Thanks for the reply Dave. The Kular stuff is £12.50 for 5l of concentrate so £6.25 equivalent of the ready mix for 5l... That's enough saving for a pint of beer in central London :)
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Be sure the antifreeze you use you use matches the type recommended in your owners manual.

The majority of VP engines use the Volvo Penta Green coolant, which is a conventional low silicate type for older engines. Halfords "silicate antifreeze" ( which is blue) is a suitable alternative to Volvo Penta green coolant

Some modern VP diesel engines require the Volvo Penta Yellow coolant, which is a long life or OAT type . Halfords OAT antifreeze ( which is red) is a suitable alternative.

If the manual does not specify VP Yellow coolant then VP Green coolant is the type to use.

Not not mix the two types

Be aware than there is no standardisation in the colours used for antifreeze. One maker's green antifreeze may be different to another's green! Read the label, dont rely on colour

If you water supply is hard, or high in dissolved solids , dilute the concentrate with distilled water or buy the ready diluted coolant.

Although OAT antifreezes are often termed "long life" and may be suitable for 5 years or longer life in automotive engines it is not recommended to extend their life beyond 2 years in marine engines because of the risk of salt (chloride) contamination
 
Some modern VP diesel engines require the Volvo Penta Yellow coolant, which is a long life or OAT type . Halfords OAT antifreeze ( which is red) is a suitable alternative.

If the manual does not specify VP Yellow coolant then VP Green coolant is the type to use.
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KAD32 definitely takes the Green Stuff, and not any new-fangled OAT coolant.
 
I was in the same conundrum a month ago. Managed to get Volvo penta 25 litre concerntrate for £180 delivered offshore.

I could be wrong but it did seem thicker than other coolants I have used. It is expensive but I have convinced myself it must be full of goodness as it was thick and bright green.

Perhaps I'm the only thing that's thick really!!
 
Guys here's the blurb for the Kuler K2 antifreeze, it appears to be the same spec's as the Volvo coolant for the older engines (the green variety)

[FONT=&quot][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Concentrate contains an ingenious inhibitor formulation that efficiently prevents corrosion, depositions and foam formation to guarantee increased service intervals, optimal heat dissipation and overheat protection of your radiator. It is an ethylene glycol based amine-free, nitrite-free, phosphate-free radiator antifreeze with outstanding properties and is therefore suitable for all aluminum, copper and cast iron radiators. Concentrate must be mixed according to the below table and only with water. It is not recommended to mix this product with other antifreeze products.[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=&quot]SAE J1034
ASTM D3306/D4340/D4985[/FONT]
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The guidance I had from an engineer was that the cooling system on volvos contains a variety of dissimilar metals close to each other and the Volvo coolant is designed to prevent corrosion within that system. Whether it actually contains anything additional to other coolants is the golden question and in truth, we will probably never know.

Could be a load of BS and given plenty of people have used alternatives without issue (afaik) alternatives achieving the same spec could well be fine.

I only went with the Volvo stuff as the engines are 28 yrs old and I want to give them the best in my ownership to hopefully prevent issues (wishful thinking probably!)
 
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