Experience With New Antifreeze

Lawrence Coppari · 03-14-2002, 04:01 PM

During the time when I had the engine apart doing the rod bearings, I decided to change to the new pink antifreeze with no phosphates and silicates. I had used the green type since 1996 doing about 30 track events and 40,000 miles with no problem.

Since starting the car up three weekends ago two antifreeze leaks have appeared. One is at the place where water comes out of the head and goes to the radiator - a gasketed joint. The other is where the water leaves the turbo. It has copper seals. This is simply too much of a coincidence. 5.5 years with no leaks, now two leaks since adding the new antifreeze.

Have any of you guys noticed a greater propensity for leakage with the new antifreeze?

seb928s · 03-14-2002, 04:06 PM

I have used both types green and the pink. I had the water pump go when I was using the pink but it was of old age and it needed to be replaced anyways. Well right now I have none I have the engine apart and doing the valves but I think I'm going to go with the green stuff because the shop that I used to have my car fixed at uses that.

2coupes · 03-14-2002, 04:38 PM

Both phosphates and silicates are prone to AIR forming some blockage by virtue of a drying process,thereby increasing the SEAL enhanced by HEAT and drying. Any void which would otherwise be mechanical ie;imperfections,surface contamination,etc,would usually be absorbed with the drying factor of phosphates and silicates, but since the "GREEN "ecologically speaking,(pink actually) does not contain these, then the seal MUST be that much better. Auto builders know this, and they have generally saved money by not making sure these cooling joints have "surfaces", and this PINK stuff is out since the last 944 rolled of the line. I know I'm going to get killed here by some nuclear physicist who will prove this all wrong, but hey, jus' trying to help , luck Jim H

ae1969 · 03-14-2002, 04:49 PM

You know lawrence, my other brother in-law who is a mechanic freaked out on me when I replaced my coolant with the pink stuff.

He swore that there had to be something different. He would see GM cars come in on the pink stuff with low mileage, with leaks everywhere. He swore that it had to be something with the pink stuff. So for now I use green.

No scientific evidence .... just one mechanic.

Booster · 03-14-2002, 05:13 PM

What is the pink stuff? I use the orange stuff.....Texaco Dexcool and have had no leaks.

Russ
944T

2coupes · 03-14-2002, 06:05 PM

That IT damn it ,why don;t we all use ORANGE, Booster you're onto somthin'.

ae1969 · 03-14-2002, 06:30 PM

Actually I was referring pink (to the orange) the dexcool......oooopssss

Crippler · 03-14-2002, 08:29 PM

Is the pink or orange stuff. The aluminum friendly coolant?

People have told me that I should use the stuff that is aluminum friendly and that the other kind will eat my engine

ae1969 · 03-14-2002, 09:51 PM

The orange is supposed to be friendly, but so is the usual green stuff from prestone..............

If you search dexcool on the web, you will run into a lot of complaints. From causing excessive corrosion on older engines, bad on sealants used on gaskets, causes sludge formation..............you name it. There are some lawsuits that were filed against GM regarding this as well.

Not really sure what to tell you.

Crippler · 03-14-2002, 10:03 PM

I guess I will look into the green stuff from prestone. Sounds like it might be the answer I was looking for. Thanks for the advice.

Lawrence Coppari · 05:02 AM

I should have said orange Texaco coolant, not pink. I'm about ready to change back to the green. Maybe I'll change it this weekend. I'm checking with a friend of mine who has used the orange for a year or so to see what he has experienced. He does a lot of club racing so the car is run hard.

Crippler, the green will eat aluminum if the PH falls below 7 meaning it goes from base to acid. The PH starts out well into the base region of PH (>7), then gradually becomes acidic as time goes by. That is one reason why you should change it every other year. I've used the green in my 1980 aluminum engined car since I bought it in 1980, changing every other year. There have been no problems, no leaks other than a water pump or two which is normal given the mileage/time thing.

Here is a website:

http://www.delanet.com/~pparish/antifreeze.htm

adrial · adrial's Garage

When I changed a few radiator hoses, I refilled the system with Prestone in the silver container....it's probably the green you're talking about. Anyway, no leaks.

lm6y · 03-16-2002, 10:07 AM

This isn't inspiring confidence. I've used the Dexcool in mine for the last two years without a leak. The last thing I need is my coolant eating my engine from the inside out!

I wonder what the older 911 guys use?

Eduardo Castrejón Elbjorn · 03-16-2002, 01:39 PM

I live in a hot place then I only use the antifreeze to not have oxide water.
I really feel if I use 50/50 %water antifreeze my car runs hotter !

I never have or saw the waterwetter (only in magazines) and I always wondering if this stuff works ?
This is the pink stuff ?

The price is expensive !
But is true that reduces cooling system temps ?

Let me know
regards

Lawrence Coppari · 03-16-2002, 05:17 PM

Water Wetter works. It is recommended by Mercedes Benz. Mercedes only recommends two things. One is water wetter while the other is Techron fuel injector cleaner. Or at least they used to recommend both. The dealers sold it.

I've used Water Wetter in three of my vehicles. It does what it says it does. It improves the heat transfer characteristics of antifreeze and lowers water temperature as advertised. I don't know about putting it in Dexcool. I would ask before I did it.

And on the subject of Dexcool, I asked the Porsche dealer. They said it was ok. Several friends of mine have noticed a little more leakage in their 944's also. But the stuff is orange and really stands out when it leaks.

Sergio · 03-17-2002, 07:06 PM

We use the watter wetter in the race bikes, it works wonderfully. I was one of few that did not overheat during an endurance race at road atlanta.

seb928s · 03-17-2002, 07:57 PM

I use a mixture of green stuff and water since I live in florida it's pretty hot here. Also the dealer told me to run a mixture like that they are not so happy with the orange/pink stuff. I talked to the wrenchs there and they are like green stuff all the way. So I'm going to run green once I put the engine together.

Eduardo Castrejón Elbjorn · 03-17-2002, 08:12 PM

In the magazines appears the water wetter for $ 8.00 each if you buy 2 or more.
But what % or watter wette I will need in my radiator, then how many bottles of 355 ml. I need to buy ?

regards

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Green used here! Cools great! no leaks and my temp never breaks a 1/4!

Brian J · Brian J's Garage

Green or Orange or Pink makes no matter. My Porsche mechanic advised to make sure the antifreeze is certified for aluminum head engines. His advise. "if the old stuf was green, the new stuff should be green." He says it is worse to change back and forth and never mix the two.