Which coolant/anti-freeze?

[pheran]

A Volvo engineer recently reported that my engines (TAMD41As) had been filled with 'normal automotive anti-freeze' rather than the 'proper' Volvo stuff. He argued that the mix of metals in the modern marine engine made the use of the approved additive absolutely essential. Does he have a point or do the experts here think this is probably just another Volvo sales pitch?

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[ParaHandy]

it's the packaging & colourant you're paying for plus their humungous markup ...

the better a/f is ethylene glycol based. propylene glycol seems to be popular but one which i know nowt about but suspect the raw material is cheaper but not necessarily better. it should tell you the source eg MEG methyl ethyl glycol for ethylene (or monoethylene) based on the pack.

Avoid methanol a/f which is v. cheap, nasty and inflammable. easily recognised by the fire hazard warning on the pack.

The additives are corrosion inhibitors and bug inhibitors eg bromides. It's not good to leave the stuff in beyond whatever is recommended because bacteria growth could cause trouble ie blockages.


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[vyv_cox]

I'm not a Volvo expert but I find it difficult to imagine what metals and alloys they use that are not included in the whole range of automotive applications. Automotive antifreeze is never make-specific, one size fits all, so there would need to be something very special in Volvos if there was to be a problem. I suspect a little manipulation of the facts from your adviser.

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[chas]

My engine is a converted automotive engine!

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[Evadne]

The reason ethyl - based substances are better than methyl is in the chemistry: bigger molecule means higher boiling and lower freezing point. (Its all to do with partial fractions and such like, if I recall correctly.)
Propyl - based substances ought then to be better, in theory, but maybe someone with experience would care to comment?
Either way, it would have no bearing on interaction with dissimilar metals, and IMHO the Volvo advice is misleading.

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[BarryH]

Parahandy has jus about summed it up. Use distilled water as well. You'll get a lot less limescale build up, chist this sounds like washing powder ad. I tend just to use a corrision inhibiter in the warm months changing to and antifreeze in the colder months. It should be changed once a year anyway with a flush through to clean all the crap out.

One thing worth mentioning is the engine finger/pencil anode if it has one fitted. Keep an eye on that as well.

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[duncan]

another angle?

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[aztec]

Same with ford... use ordinary blu type ethylene glycol for all cast type motors... pinto, kent, valencia etc. but only use the red/orange stuff in anything with ally heads,CVH, cosworth, zeta/zetec. and if my memory serves me right 2.9 scorpio (but if that's the 24valve jobby it had ally heads anyway)

dunno why, but if ford can't "make do" with one antifreeze for any application... i'm gonna do what they say!... they used the same oil grade for everything for 50 years!

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