Ok to replace Green with G-05 for '96 Jeep 4.0?

[ZJ JIM 96]

I'm thinking it's time for a coolant flush and fill on my 180,000 mile Jeep 4.0 While I can't really remember the last time it was done, I can definitely say it was at least 90,000 miles ago. When I remove the radiator cap, there's some green snot around the fill hole, but the coolant is still a brilliant green. Strangely, the stuff in the overflow tank is a murky brownish color with some orange tint. I think I may have added some "all makes" stuff when I topped off a year or two ago.

Anyway, I got confused reading everything here, and went out and bought 2 $11 gallons of G-05 thinking it would be the best thing to fill with. But today, I looked at the application chart at the Valvoline (Zerex) site and saw that they recommend the original green for all Chrysler models until 2001, at which point they go to G-05.

Should I return the G-05 and get some green, or is the G-05 a completely compatible step up, like using ATF+4 instead of ATF+3.

Thanks for any advice.

--Jim

 

[Mickey_M]

You should not have problems with G-05.

It is a low-silicate HOAT coolant used in Mercedes for the last 15-20 years, newer Chrylsers, and Fords. Zerex makes it under an agreement with BASF.

http://www.basf.de/basf/html/e/prod...duktinfo/produkte/produktdetails_PN=1927.html

If it were me I'd do a power flush, or double or triple regular flush, to get all the old stuff out. Distilled water is always a bit better than tap water.

The only caveat is the stuff is nearly clear, so you need to be sure to top off the system with a 50/50 mix since you won't notice a color change if you dilute it.

 

[MNgopher]

I switched my '88 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0l to G-05 two years ago and haven't looked back...

 

[jmacmaster]

I also agree you'll be ok. Just be sure to flush all the old stuff out of the engine block and radiator. And where did you get G-05 for $11/gal.?
That's the lowest price I've ever heard of. If I could get it that cheap I'd stock up on a lot of it.

[ April 11, 2006, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: jmacmaster ]

 

[ZJ JIM 96]

quote:

---

Originally posted by jmacmaster:
And where did you get G-05 for $11/gal.?
That's the lowest price I've ever heard of.

---

The G-05 was $11/gallon at Pep-Boys. It seemed to be the regular price, not on sale or anything. When I went to use the second gallon, someone had popped the foil on it. It looked full and matched the sealed container in all perceptible ways, so I went ahead and used the quart I needed out of it. Does anyone think that was a particularly bad idea?

I went ahead and did a Zerex flush and triple rinsed with all distilled water. (Believe it or not, I had to stop at 3 different places to find enough distilled water!) The rinse water got significantly lighter at the end, but never got to the completely clear point. I hope that doesn't have negative consequences, but the process of multiple heat-up/cool-down had already dragged on to a second day. I'll need to start the process much earlier next time.

Anyway, I measured the last drain carefully and subtracted that amount from the listed capacity. Then measured out straight G-05 to bring the remaining water in the block up to 50/50 and proceeded to finish filling with a precisely measured 50/50 mix, two quarts at a time.

Now, I guess I'll just keep an eye on the level for a week or so and call it good. At 180,000 miles, I guess I won't be too concerned with the Valvoline warranty. If I had seen your response a few days earlier, I might have returned it and gone green, but now I just don't think I can go through the flush process again too soon. My girlfriend has not let up about how ridiculous it seems to do it myself when it took so much time. She doesn't buy the whole "distilled water is better" reasoning and such. And her old time backyard mechanic father agrees, saying he's never once flushed a radiator and never topped with anything but the very hard local tap water that he thinks is the best.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Mickey_M]

If an OAT will cause corrosion, the Supertech Universal - which is an OAT - would cause a problem.

BASF - who originated the G-05 formula - calls it "universal". A friend who has run a radiator shop for 40+ years has used it since Mercedes began using it and he uses it in everything.

 

[The Critic]

Mickey,

Yesterday, I contacted Valvoline Tech Services regarding the usage of G-05 in the Saturn. The new application guide by Zerex recommended the usage of “traditional green” in my cooling system. The representative told me that Valvoline does not recommend the usage of G-05 in applications requiring “traditional green.” With that said, in the event of any cooling system problems caused directly by the usage of G-05, Valvoline cannot be held responsible.

As for why Valvoline does not recommend the usage of G-05 in “traditional green” applications, is beyond me. His mentioning of possible corrosion problems with HOAT in IAT applications may indeed be possible, but its more than likely that Valvoline erring on the side of caution with regards to compatibility.

Many antifreeze companies consider their formula universal. Texaco considers their Dexcool product universal. Prestone considers theirs universal. So does Peak. Whom should you trust? Up to you. The point is that Prestone stands up to their product for use in all applications, but Valvoline does not back their G-05 product as an "universal" fluid.

Also, I did contact Prestone regarding their All Makes/Models product. It is not an identical formula to their silver jug “certified” Dexcool product. Though they may contain the same active ingredients, they are two entirely different formulas. Same applies to Supertech Universal 5/150 and the Prestone All Makes/Models. Though the Supertech product is manufactured and engineered by Prestone, it is a different formula as well, though it’s built to meet the same specifications. Of course, the Prestone representative did not pick sides and say which formula is superior, but its probably safe to assume that despite both formulas meeting the same performance level, its possible that the Supertech one may be of a lesser product.

As they say, just became it is engineered and manufactured to the same specifications by the same vendor, does not mean it’s the same product under a different label.

[ April 11, 2006, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: The Critic ]

 

[The Critic]

Valvoline Tech Services has a firm "NO" to the answer to this question; I just called them yesterday regarding this topic, using G-05 in "Green" apps.

So, you won't have any warranty by Valvoline in the event of any problems. So proceed at your own risk.

They claimed that the OAT portion will cause corrosion. Don't know why they say that.

If you want a long-life coolant, use their 5-yr/100K conventional, low-silicate "green" formula, or use the Supertech Universal Juice.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

ZJ, you'll be fine. You flushed it enough. My 2005 Accent Hyundai (purchased brand new in feb. of this year) came with some kind of creepy green, snotty coolant complete with out of solution silicate or minerals, never figured out what. Dealer couldn't tell me what the factory in Korea put in it, so I changed out to G05. Three or four flushes with distilled, and then 60/40 G-05/distilled. Scrubbed out the puke tank, and it's far better than new. My warranty specs "high quality, ethelene-glycol, so I'm covered there.

Funny thing, the first few days, the coolant turned really day-glow yellow, and now, a month later, it's settled back to the beige-transparent color it come out of the bottle with.. RayH, and a few others in the know here will tell you you'll be well-served regarding corrosion protection and long life.

Ya got a nice price, too. PEP gets 11.99/gallon for it here in Northern Va.

 

[jmacmaster]

In my opinion, the idea that OAT, HOAT, or any other antifreeze cocktail package can cause corrosion in certain applications is nonsense, given the fact that each of the the big 3 (Dexcool, G-05, and the old, traditional, green etheylene glycol) have for numerous years been used in numereous models of vehicles made by numerous manufacturers using numerous combinations of materials for their radiators, engine blocks, heater hoses, and other parts of the coolant system.