Coolant for honda engine/american car

[burnout]

Hi.

I have a 2005 Saturn Vue with the 3.5L Honda engine.

The car came with dex-cool filled from the factory.

What kind of coolant does honda use in this engine? (Odyssey, Pilot, MDX)

 

[ChrisW]

Dexcool would be fine because it came like that from the factory, although, I prefer HOAT technology like zerex G 05 better than OAT like dexcool.

 

[seotaji]

Honda uses Honda Coolant.

No silicate OAT.

 

[Mickey_M]

quote:

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burnout:
....I have a 2005 Saturn Vue with the 3.5L Honda engine.

The car came with dex-cool filled from the factory.

What kind of coolant does honda use in this engine? (Odyssey, Pilot, MDX)

---

Honda Coolant.

The Japanese use a coolant which is not like any of the European or American coolants. It is a no-silicate high-phosphate OAT.

However, the OAT formula is different than DexCool.

Honda has some problems with DexCool since one of the OAT ingredients is a solvent. Honda believes in the long-run it can damage some gasket materials. This has led to some disagreement with GM over the use of DexCool in the Saturns with Honda engines, which believes it is not a problem.

I would feel comfortable continuing with DexCool.

Another choice would the Zerex G-05 coolant, which is a low silicate HOAT that Valvoline recommends for Hondas.

Last, because it's most expensive, would be the Honda coolant.

Whichever you choose, stick with it and don't mix them.

 

[Vstrom]

quote:

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Originally posted by ChrisW:
Dexcool would be fine because it came like that from the factory

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That isn't Honda's opinion! I'm sure Saturn is only concerned as long as the warranty term

 

[Ray H]

As long as GM's powertrain warranty is in effect, stick with any brand GM approved DEX-COOL:

Havoline
Prestone
Zerex
and others

KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

Once out of warranty, you could safely use either the Prestone or SuperTech "universal" extended life antifreeze/coolants - they're actually the same formulation as Prestone's own DEX-COOL (and ST is made by Prestone for WalMart), but dyed green instead of orange and do not carry the GM licensed "DEX-COOL" trademark. Or you could continue to use one of the genuine DEX-COOLs. Or you could use Honda antifreeze coolant. Or, you could use G-05. It really doesn't matter much as long as you dilute it with de-ionized or distilled water. The 2-EHA corrosion inhibitor is NOT, in itself, a solvent/plasticizer. I spent the better part of an evening researching this unfounded myth online from five or so company websites of various chemical houses worldwide. 2-EHA, like ALL other hydrated organic acids can be used to make plasticizers, but it is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, as a food preservative and an almost infinite variety of other compounds. Stating that 2-EHA is a plasticizer is about as accurate as stating that unblended glycerin is a highly unstable explosive or used as a quick acting vasodilator used in the treatment of angina.

 

[Mickey_M]

quote:

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Ray H:
....The 2-EHA corrosion inhibitor is NOT, in itself, a solvent/plasticizer. I spent the better part of an evening researching this unfounded myth online from five or so company websites of various chemical houses worldwide. 2-EHA, like ALL other hydrated organic acids can be used to make plasticizers, but it is also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, as a food preservative and an almost infinite variety of other compounds. ....

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2-EHA (2-Ethylhexanoic Acid) is the ingredient which Honda specifically objects to in DexCool.

It's a raw material used specialty plasticizers, esterized for synthetic lubricants used in refrigerators and air conditioners, used in the production of metal soaps for paint driers and in PVC stabilizers.

www.perstorp.com/upload/produktg.pdf

DexCool uses 2-EHA. Toyota and Nissan don't, but don't object to its use. Honda does.

Whether it can act as solvent in combination with the other ingredients plus heat and pressure in the coolant system appears to be in dispute.

I have used it for five years in a Honda with no problems at all.

DexCool also uses sebacate and Prestone also uses sodium neodecanoate, while Zerex also uses molybdate in their DexCool compatible.

The Japanese use sebacate alone and add some phosphate.

 

[Ray H]

I love it when people make my point for me.

 

[JMG]

I have read on this board I beleive that Honda warned Saturn on using its fluids instead of Honda recommended fluids. But I am sure that Saturn is going to use whatever can get them through the warranty.