Green or Red Coolant

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Hi all, whats the difference between green and red coolant? apart from the colour!

[Smaky 73]

The chemicals they're based on, red is the preferred nowadays, but you have blue/green do not mix with red/yellow.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk! Because I'm on tour!

[Alfa156Melb 9]

I understand the chemicals are different, but what is the advantages / disadvantages of each?

[ChrisO 2]

I lifted this from AO

 

For many years, since the demise of Methanol based antifreeze that was traditionally only added just before winter, blue/green or yellow Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) has been the mainstay of the coolant market. However a lot of vehicles since 08/98 have been filled with coolant combining Monoethylene glycol with Organic Additive Technology (OAT) corrosion inhibitors.

 

There are important differences between standard MEG and MEG with OAT. It does not contain silicates, nitrates, nitrites, borates, phosphates or amines so that:

· Without silicates, silicate gel or "green goo" does not form.

· By eliminating phosphates, hard water scale is reduced.

· Without silicates, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites and borates, abrasive dissolved acids are greatly reduced thereby diminishing water pump seal failures.

· Without amines and nitrites, there is no potential formation of nitrosamines.

All of this results in a considerably longer life span, whilst providing improved protection of all cooling system metals, including aluminium. Benefits over conventional silicate based coolants are:

· Improved water pump life due to reduced water pump seal wear.

· Fewer abrasive dissolved solids.

· Reduced hard water scale.

· Virtually no deterioration of heat transfer capacity during service life.

· Excellent protection against high temperature and pitting corrosion.

· No silicate gel formation during storage or use.

· Effective long-term corrosion protection for aluminium, brass, cast iron, steel, solder and copper alloys.

· Long effective service life of up to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

 

The two types of coolant should not be mixed. Vehicles filled with MEG will have coolant coloured blue, green or yellow. MEG with OAT additives will have coolant coloured Orange or red.

you can get a reaction between the two types, and can turn to gel.

 

The tread goes on to say that the MEG only types have a shorter life than MEG plus OAT.

 

hope this helps

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Thats awesome, cheers ChrisO..

 

So....... out with the green.. in with the Red!....

[Smaky 73]

Stick with whichever you have otherwise t will react and possibly cause failure of gaskets.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

OK... in that case I'm glad I haven't changed it yet thanks

[StescoG66 8]

Some clown mixed the 2 in my last 156 JTS with fairly horrible consequences a year later. Last time I ever use a national chain for maintenance for anything including a simple coolant change as the end cost to me was about £1000

[Smaky 73]

I lifted this from AO

 

For many years, since the demise of Methanol based antifreeze that was traditionally only added just before winter, blue/green or yellow Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) has been the mainstay of the coolant market. However a lot of vehicles since 08/98 have been filled with coolant combining Monoethylene glycol with Organic Additive Technology (OAT) corrosion inhibitors.

 

There are important differences between standard MEG and MEG with OAT. It does not contain silicates, nitrates, nitrites, borates, phosphates or amines so that:

· Without silicates, silicate gel or "green goo" does not form.

· By eliminating phosphates, hard water scale is reduced.

· Without silicates, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites and borates, abrasive dissolved acids are greatly reduced thereby diminishing water pump seal failures.

· Without amines and nitrites, there is no potential formation of nitrosamines.

All of this results in a considerably longer life span, whilst providing improved protection of all cooling system metals, including aluminium. Benefits over conventional silicate based coolants are:

· Improved water pump life due to reduced water pump seal wear.

· Fewer abrasive dissolved solids.

· Reduced hard water scale.

· Virtually no deterioration of heat transfer capacity during service life.

· Excellent protection against high temperature and pitting corrosion.

· No silicate gel formation during storage or use.

· Effective long-term corrosion protection for aluminium, brass, cast iron, steel, solder and copper alloys.

· Long effective service life of up to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

 

The two types of coolant should not be mixed. Vehicles filled with MEG will have coolant coloured blue, green or yellow. MEG with OAT additives will have coolant coloured Orange or red.

you can get a reaction between the two types, and can turn to gel.

 

The tread goes on to say that the MEG only types have a shorter life than MEG plus OAT.

 

hope this helps