Recycled coolant

[Drew99GT]

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

Why I try and maintain my parents vehicles anymore is beyond me.

The antifreeze in my Dad's Olds 88 has been changed 3 times in the last 4 or so years for various reasons - drain plug broke and fell out, thermostat stuck open etc.

So what does my pops do? Goes to some quick lube [censored] and gets a radiator flush. Turns out they have a machine that sucks the coolant out, filters it, and recycles it back into the engine. Then they add a bottle of Valvoline cooling system supplement. After doing some research, it turns out a lot of shops are doing this and it seems to work fine, but I'm still [censored] about it. Anyone have any information or personal experience with this type of antifreeze recycling? I'm not going to change the antifreeze over this. I'm tired of doing it.

 

[Chris142]

We have a recycling machine but have never used it. Ours was a Military issued one at one time. I guess if it's good enough for them.........

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

Why I try and maintain my parents vehicles anymore is beyond me.

The antifreeze in my Dad's Olds 88 has been changed 3 times in the last 4 or so years for various reasons - drain plug broke and fell out, thermostat stuck open etc.

So what does my pops do? Goes to some quick lube [censored] and gets a radiator flush. Turns out they have a machine that sucks the coolant out, filters it, and recycles it back into the engine. Then they add a bottle of Valvoline cooling system supplement. After doing some research, it turns out a lot of shops are doing this and it seems to work fine, but I'm still [censored] about it. Anyone have any information or personal experience with this type of antifreeze recycling? I'm not going to change the antifreeze over this. I'm tired of doing it.


So I can assume the coolant wasn't old to start with. What do you think could cause a problem?

 

[mechanicx]

I would not want coolant that was ran through a recycler with no telling what kind of cross contamination, when the filter was serviced, or who knows what inhibitor formula (probably Dexcool) mixed at who knows what ratio. Some shops half screw it up when using new antifreeze as it is. I would say though that if properly done emphasis on properly it could be acceptable.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: expat
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

Why I try and maintain my parents vehicles anymore is beyond me.

The antifreeze in my Dad's Olds 88 has been changed 3 times in the last 4 or so years for various reasons - drain plug broke and fell out, thermostat stuck open etc.

So what does my pops do? Goes to some quick lube [censored] and gets a radiator flush. Turns out they have a machine that sucks the coolant out, filters it, and recycles it back into the engine. Then they add a bottle of Valvoline cooling system supplement. After doing some research, it turns out a lot of shops are doing this and it seems to work fine, but I'm still [censored] about it. Anyone have any information or personal experience with this type of antifreeze recycling? I'm not going to change the antifreeze over this. I'm tired of doing it.


So I can assume the coolant wasn't old to start with. What do you think could cause a problem?


Yea, the coolant that was recycled was probably 2 years old with about 20,000 miles on it; Dexcool.

I dunno; I'd simply rather have fresh antifreeze out of a bottle in it!

 

[mechanicx]

It doesn't seem like it needed changed. What I wonder about is when they replensh the inhibitors that weren't depleted in the first place you might end up with an overly strong concentration of OAT inhibitors maybe a kin to having straight antifreeze in concentration. That could be more aggressive on some plastic gaskets I would think.

 

[finalyzd]

Never heard of a shop doing that. Maybe a new thing? I hope they didn't charge him to much. Probaly could have gotten a flush with new coolant for same or cheaper

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT

Why I try and maintain my parents vehicles anymore is beyond me.

I dunno; I'd simply rather have fresh antifreeze out of a bottle in it!

I know where you are coming from. Feel the same way.

 

[disturban]

For real...it is only like $10 a gallon dont be cheap!

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: disturban
For real...it is only like $10 a gallon dont be cheap!


You didn't even read the entire thread, did you?

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh again.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
We have a recycling machine but have never used it. Ours was a Military issued one at one time. I guess if it's good enough for them.........


Cancer causing depleted uranium ammunition is good enough for the military...

 

[SLCraig]

What's wrong with re-using good coolant?
I dunno, I just replaced my thermostat in my SW2, I dumped and re-used the coolant that was in it.

 

[Donald]

I have seen those coolant recycle machines on eBAY. Have no idea if they are good or bad. But you are betting your engine on the knowledge of the mechanic to add the proper amount of additives. I can drain and refill the radiator in my Jeep with G-05 & distilled water for maybe $14. Once a year to refresh the coolant should be fine.

 

[Rachael]

I really like the idea of it, but with all the different coolant formulations right now I can't imagine that every car would be getting the proper stuff it calls for.