Question on ShellZone Coolants

[Clarkbug]

Good Morning Everyone.

Bear with me, even after reading a bunch here, Im still very much in the dark on different coolant types so wanted to ask before twisting myself around the axle too much.

Simplest thing is: What is the difference between the ShellZone ELC Dex-Cool and ELC Multi-Vehicle, other than the approvals for use in GM?

https://www.shell.us/business/fuels...-coolants/light-duty-antifreeze-coolants.html

It looks mostly like its those approvals, but I figure there must be more to the chemistry than that.

The longer thing: I have a very mixed fleet, and trying to consolidate a little on what I need to keep on the shelf. Started thinking coolants last fall when I had to swap out the coolant on my new-to-me Kubota tractor, and decided on the Rotella ELC NF. I need to swap coolant on my Kubota side by side, which I think has the most generic green stuff in it, and was going to use the same, but might need to get another bottle and it seems to be much harder to come by all of a sudden. Trying to expand options for engines that aren't diesels, since I only have one.

Appreciate any input!

 

[pbm]

I'm pretty sure those coolants you mention are a Dexcool and a Dexclone (very similar w/o the actual Dexcool approval for licencing cost reasons.) PEAK Global Lifetime concentrate, which doesn't contain 2-EHA, is available on Amazon for $20 a gallon....that's what I would, did and do use in my Fords, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda etc...Never had an issue although I do change the coolant every 3 to 5 years depending on miles driven.

 

[Clarkbug]

Thanks for that insight. Seems like it might be something thats similar, but I didn't think about the 2-EHA that I have read about here. Seems like that's some like it some dont sorta thing...

I still have a bottle of the Toyota Pink and a couple of the Subaru Blue's to use in those vehicles that I have, along with some Ford Yellow... (So as you can see, trying to cut down on future needs here)

Follow-up question. What's the difference between those and the Rotella ELC NF that's more suited for diesels? Any reason I couldn't run that in my normal passenger cars and keep them happy? (Other than cost)

 

[pbm]

I think NF means 'Nitrate Free'....whether that matters in a gasoline engine or not is beyond me. I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable members would know.

 

[Fredward]

I don't know anything about ShellZone coolants, but I ended up settling on Peak Final Charge Global for my 3 Kubota diesels, an M7060 and 2 RTV-X900s. The product page specifically recommends it for use in Kubota engines.

I remember it being hard to find a long life coolant that specifically stated they were Kubota compatible. I'm pretty sure my manual specifically calls for Kubota brand green coolant, and Kubota doesn't have any sort of approved coolant list. I don't know enough about coolant chemistry or engine metallurgy to pick a product other than by clearly stated recommendations or approvals.

 

[Clarkbug]

I think NF means 'Nitrate Free'....whether that matters in a gasoline engine or not is beyond me. I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable members would know.

It does indeed. I wasn't sure if nitrates were needed, but from what I had read, its something to do with Cat diesel requirements. So I think that one wants the Rotella ELC, and all the others were good with the ELC NF.

I had also considered the Final Charge Global, but was having a harder time getting it here compared to the Walmart order that I had coming. Good to know that one is approved for Kubota use. Although I guess for my vintage tractor (L2900) it would have been fine on whatever green stuff I had handy.

 

[johnmyster]

The CAT ELC-1 specification is a nitrited formulation, NOAT, with 2-EHA. Rotella ELC is one example. Peak Final Charge NOAT is another. Delo ELC is another. IMO, ELC-1 is outdated.

The nitrited aspect addressed cavitation control in HD (wet liner) diesels...I think, but there are other ways to accomplish this. Cavitation control is ONLY a concern for wet-liner diesels and this is typically the unique aspect of HD coolants.

The popular HD coolants designated as NF (Delo XLC, Rotella ELC NF, and Peak ELC NF) are the next evolution from ELC-1, also using 2-EHA. They can't claim ELC-1 compliance because they aren't nitrited, but they are cross compatible and meet the performance requirements despite this deviation.

HD OATs (without EHA) with greater cross compatibility were the next evolution (Peak Final Charge Global). And then...

Personally, Fleet Final Charge Pro (POAT) is the the choice that checks all boxes, including widespread availability, and is what I am using in our truck. They claim lots of cross compatibility (excluding HOAT). Flush, convert, standardize.

https://www.owi.com/binaries/conten...-documents/hdaw-2023/peak-hd-afc-brochure.pdf

 

[Clarkbug]

Thanks for the response!

So what is the 2-EHA issue, or isn't there one?

Pretty sure my Kubota's engine is dry sleeves so shouldn't have to worry about the wet liner cavitation issue, I hope...
Would be nice to just get a case of some sort of coolant and run it in everything, but probably overkill for my vehicles. Oh well I have some time to overthink it a bit more.

 

[johnmyster]

Thanks for the response!

So what is the 2-EHA issue, or isn't there one?

Pretty sure my Kubota's engine is dry sleeves so shouldn't have to worry about the wet liner cavitation issue, I hope...
Would be nice to just get a case of some sort of coolant and run it in everything, but probably overkill for my vehicles. Oh well I have some time to overthink it a bit more.

Europe has banned 2-EHA. I anticipate the days are numbered.
Dexcool haters all blame 2-EHA but fail to realize there are other coolants that use it.

Check tractor supply and NAPA if you're looking for more Rotella ELC NF. It's not hard to come by.

 

[Nukeman7]

Thanks for the response!

So what is the 2-EHA issue, or isn't there one?

2-Ethylhexanoic Acid is a known plasticizer that will soften or dissolve certain plastics including silicone/RTV over time. The acid content also allegedly attacks lead solder joints in brass radiators. Virtually all Asian auto manufacturers specify and only sell 2-EHA free OEM coolants that are typically PHOAT chemistry.

There are plenty of threads on BITOG discussing 2-EHA, including this one.

 

[Clarkbug]

Thanks for the info and links. Some searching just pops up a lot of noise and hard to tell what is what sometimes. Appreciate the guidance!

 

[Clarkbug]

Europe has banned 2-EHA. I anticipate the days are numbered.
Dexcool haters all blame 2-EHA but fail to realize there are other coolants that use it.

Check tractor supply and NAPA if you're looking for more Rotella ELC NF. It's not hard to come by.

Thank you for that info on finding it.

Now I'm wondering if I should get the Rotella out of the Kubota and move to something without the 2-EHA. Kubota bits are expensive to replace, and I wouldn't want to create issues ...

 

[johnmyster]

Thank you for that info on finding it.

Now I'm wondering if I should get the Rotella out of the Kubota and move to something without the 2-EHA. Kubota bits are expensive to replace, and I wouldn't want to create issues ...

I'd run it 5 years. Dexcool worked fine for many, so 2EHA can't be that bad.

 

[Coolant Kid]

2EHA is perfectly fine. Plasticizer? Sure, but it doesn't destroy seals and gaskets. Quite the contrary, actually. It keeps them soft, supple and conditioned. Your hoses, seals, gaskets, plastic parts like radiator tanks, and o-rings will all last longer with 2EHA protecting them. Parts that would normally deteriorate, crack or worse will be preserved beyond normal service lifespans. I'm talking waaay beyond. 2EHA is your avenging angel of cooling system longevity.