Oh jeez- antifreeze!

[Jon S.]

I recently noticed that the old prestone green is gone. I've been told that green is still advailable from Zerox, but I would imagine not for long. I seem to remember Duke responding to a similar thread recently. Wish I could find it. Has anyone gone with the new stuff. I want something compatiable to the prestone green and something that won't harm my original radiator. Suggestions please. Thanks in advance!
Best regards, Jon

[Duke W.]

Re: Oh jeez- antifreeze!

Use Zerex G-05. This is a hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT) formulation, that is a combination of organic inhibitors with a small dose of silicates. It is OE approved for all Daimler Chrysler cars including Mercedes. Mercs have been using HOAT coolant since the early eighties.

Ford is also using HOAT since 2001, but I'm not sure if Zerex G-05 meets the Ford spec. GM continues with their OAT (organic acid technology) Dexcool, and all the Japanese OEs use OAT, but their formulations are different than Dexcool.

The consensus according to what I have read recently is that HOAT coolants are fully compatible with cars that were OE equipped with "green" IAT (inorganic inhibtor technology) antifreeze. There is some question about Dexcool in older cars, primarily revolving around solder protection, which would apply to at least the heater cores on vintage Corvettes and the radiators for those models equipped with brass radiators.

As many of you know I am a proponent of Dexcool, and it's been in all my cars since '96. I am thinking of switching some to HOAT. Mine you, I'm not running out to change coolant, today, but when the next change is due I may switch the Cosworth Vega and '88 190E 2.6 to G-05, but will continue to use Dexcool in the '91 MR2. Since the SWC cooling system is still dry, I haven't decided which way to go.

Assuming you are using the green stuff in your Corvette, switch to Zerex G-05 the next time you change.

Duke

[Jon S.]

Re: Oh jeez- antifreeze!

Thanks Duke! I forgot to mention it was for my 62. I did have a local guru tell me to stay clear of anything with dexcool because of the older style gaskets. He told me to continue with the new preston. But, I remembered you mentioning the zerex G-05. I just wasn't sure. Since I've run the "green" in all my vehicles, I'll just make the switch to the G-05 when their due for a change.
Best regards, Jon

[Mike Cobine]

Try K-Mart

I just found 8 bottles of the Prestone green stuff at K-mart and on sale. I don't know how your area is, but K-Mart is on its deathbed here and they have lots of old stuff that isn't selling.

I just wish that they still carried AC plugs.

[Jon S.]

Re: Try K-Mart

Thanks Mike! But, I don't know of a K-Mart with in 100 miles of where I live.
Best regards, Jon

[Mike M.]

Dexcool and Zerex G-05

Duke when switching over to G-05 from Dexcool are the 2 products compatable or is a extra good flush a good idea. Mike

[Duke W.]

Re: Dexcool and Zerex G-05

HOATs are supposed to be "more compatible" with IAT than OATs are with IATs. Just the same, as a precautionary proceedure, I recommend thoroughly flushing the system, which is not that hard. Of couse, you should start the job by draining as much of the old antifreeze as possible, which means the two block drain plugs must be removed.

Duke

[Jon S.]

New prestone vs G-05........Duke

Duke, I haven't found the Zerex G-05 yet. I'm going to venture out to the next town tomorrow. There are 4 auto centers there. I did find the new prestone (OAT I assume). How does it stack up to the Zerex G-05(HOAT)? What would make the G-05 better? Thanks inadvance!
Best regards, Jon

[Duke W.]

Re: New prestone vs G-05........Duke

Zerex G-05 is stocked at Pep Boys, which has a lot of stores in Southern California. Prestone has an OAT, which is probably Dexcool. If you see the word "Dexcool" on the label, that's what it is.

Needless to say sorting out the new anti-freeze technologies is a chore, and it can be very confusing for the average consumer. I've been a student of these new technologies for about 15 years and have been continuously researching the issue since the late eighties when I tried to find out what was special about Mercedes Benz anti-freeze. It took me years to determine that it is an HOAT type, so they are nothing new.

Even though I have been using Dexcool for nearly ten years, the current consensus of all the recent and reliable information I have found, is that HOAT types like Zerex G-05 are the best replacement for cars that have traditionally used IATs, especially if they have brass radiators and/or heater cores. This is now an issue for everybody, since the IAT types are being phased out.

So my advice is to keep searching for Zerex G-05. Since it is a Valvoline product you will find information about G-05 and maybe where to find it in your area at the Vavloline web site. There is also a good third party article on this site that explains the current technology technologies and why HOATs are best to use in older cars that were originally equipped with IAT.

Duke

[Jon S.]

Thanks for the good info Duke *NM*