Coolant for my application?

[rewote500]

Fixing to flush and fill the system in my 1998 Nissan Sentra, 188K miles. I had no idea there were so many variants of coolant. The only stipulation my owners manual states is that the coolant be ethylene glycol. It also states the following.....

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, antifreeze
coolant solution. The anti-freeze solution
contains rust and corrosion inhibitors;
therefore, additional engine cooling system
additives are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ratio
of 50% anti-freeze and 50% distilled
water. The use of other types of coolant
solutions may damage the engine cooling
system.

Based on the above I would appreciate any input. I have been using Prestone but noticed some of you stating it is not good because it is a DexCool clone.....

 

[mechanicx]

This question comes up a lot, and I think there should be an answer stickied in this forum. The first assumption of this question is th person is looking for an aftermarket coolant choice.

Prestone is a dexclone and so is Peak extended life/long life, along with most housebarnds of extended life. because of gasket compatibility issues and sludging from air, I don't think it's a good idea to use Dexcool in anything besides a late model GM. like '05+.

G-05 or Green would work, but they are silicated. And if you switch coolant types entirely you should get all of the old out. Despite being a low silicate formula, I think Green would work for sure safely but you have tochange it every 2 years.

You're best choice would be Asian Formula available at NAPA. It's premix only so you can't flush the system with water. Peak Gobal is another choice and is probably more available and is available in concentrate.

 

[Sayjac]

If you want to be absolutely positively safe, go with Nissan green from the dealer. A warning though, it's very pricey. And Nissan recommends 2yr/30k subsequent flushes.

That said, I've used Prestone and now Peak Long Life for ~5yrs in my 03 Altima, with total distilled flushes with no issues. As long as you are maintaining your system regularly (2-3yrs/30k), you will be far ahead of most people caring for their cooling system. Seems to have worked for you so far.

As long as you do total flushes you should be fine. While the alarmists like to call the universals dexcool, there's been no proof other than sharing the ingrediant 2eha in some unknown concentration, that they are the same. And the only documented issues with true dexcool was some GM gaskets, in some GM cars.

Again though, if you have concerns you go with Nissan full strength propriety. Stay away from any premix like Zerex Asian as they are a ripoff, and impossible to get at least a 50% concentration without messing with block drains.

 

[mechanicx]

Well I would add that 2EHA is the reason Dexcool had the problems it had. It may have been tweaked in later versions but the best fix is just to switch to an OAT that is not 2EHA. It was rejected clearly by Ford and Honda and others. Ford claimed it caused gasket problems. It also caused gasket problems for other manufactures besides GM, Cummins, possibly VW and others. I've seen Dexclones clog.

The damage can happen very slowly and almost undetectable until the damage is permanently done. 2EHA is agressive and a plasticizer with certain gasket materials.

A dexclone might work in a Japanese vehicle but no one should be under the illusion that claims of 2EHA's potential problems haven't come from reliable sources, or that it is always safe in anything just because it seemed to work in a few models.

I wouldn't put American Green, G-05, or even Peak Global in the same class as the Dexclones for potential problems.

I think Dexcool is only completely safe in very late model GM vehicles.

 

[aquariuscsm]

If your car is like mine and requires the "green" stuff,head over to Napa and get some Zerex. That`s where I finally found it.

 

[Sayjac]

Nissan "green' is not traditional green. It's a non silicated formula like the universals, that the Asian makers prefer.

To the OP, if you can find full strength Peak Global Life for a reasonable price, that would also be an alternative. That said, I haven't seen it in full strength anywhere. You could try NAPA, but no Napa's in this area carry it.

 

[rewote500]

Thanks for the input. Looks like I basically need to use a coolant with NO silicates or 2-HEA. If you would, could you elaborate on the difference between an OAT and HOAT.....

 

[mechanicx]

The difference between an OAT coolant and an HOAT coolant, is the OAT has no inorganic inhibitors and the other is a hybrid with organic and inorganic inhibitors, such as silcates, phosphates, borates etc.

 

[rewote500]

Went to Wally World and Advance Auto. Neither had Peak Global. Where are you guys finding it?

 

[mechanicx]

The only places that I know that have it is NAPA, Kmart, and PEP boys has an overpriced version called Peak Professional. they might have it at Carquest or O'reilly's.

Your original Nissan coolant was probably not extended life and you could use it or toyota red. Like I said you could use G-05, and Zerex even recommends it on the back of their Dexcool for Asian vehicles, but it's your call if you want to use an antifreeze that is low-silicate or not.

 

[rewote500]

Yeah just found it at NAPA but they were out of stock. Said he will order some and have it in tomorrow. Nissan Dealer wanted $31 for a gallon of coolant! Think I will let them keep it.... Since the car is 12 years old with 188K miles on the clock I think I'll just use the PGL and be done with it till I retire her.....

Thanks everyone for your input!