I have a 2000 Kohler 5e generator on my boat, which uses a Kawasaki industrial engine. 2 cylinder, water cooled, 400 cc 16hp. It came with green antifreeze, and I continued to use green. I need to change the coolant again and want to use either Dexcool or Prestone Universal yellow, mostly because the coolant is a real pita to change due to the cramped location. Is there any reason I should not do this ?
Switch out green for yellow coolant ?
- Thread starter rubberchicken
- Start date
No, you can use whatever coolant you like, just don't mix them. So flush with water until clear.
What type of coolant does your generator actually spec? Prestone / Dex is a OAT with 2EHA. It would be pretty much the last coolant I would use in anything personally but if it specs an OAT and has no plastic in the cooling loop, might be ok?
The only con against Dexcool or Prestone AMAM/Yellow/Coreguard is 2EHA. If one is looking for an OAT without 2EHA, there are readily available options. A few that come to mind.
Toyota Pink. Fleet Final Charge Global. Rotella ELC NF.
Mopar purple was once rumored to be sans 2EHA, but I'm not certain these days.
Toyota Pink. Fleet Final Charge Global. Rotella ELC NF.
Mopar purple was once rumored to be sans 2EHA, but I'm not certain these days.
I was leaning towards Prestone All Vehicles Coolant- this link- https://prestone.com/product/prestone-all-vehicles-antifreezecoolant-ready-to-use/ . The materials safety data sheet (SDS) has an item number of SDS501 , and says it has 2-Ethyl Hexanoic Acid as an ingredient. I assume this is the same as 2EHA, and has the same potential drawback as Dexcool ? I cannot be positive, but there appears to be no plastic in the cooling system except for the non-pressure overflow tank and overflow hose.
I have mixed feelings with 2-EHA. Prestone should be fine as long as there’s no RTV or formed silicone in your cooling system.
And even so, Toyota engines using a “wet” valley - the MZ-series V6s and UR-series V8s leak from their valley plates. And Toyota’s pink coolant doesn’t use 2-EHA.
And even so, Toyota engines using a “wet” valley - the MZ-series V6s and UR-series V8s leak from their valley plates. And Toyota’s pink coolant doesn’t use 2-EHA.
Looking through the service guide, I cannot find any use of RTV from the factory in the cooling system. It was 6 years old when it came to my possession, and it has not had any RTV in the 18 years I have owned it.
Not sure what the issue might be with plastic components and -2EHA??? I have several European cars that specify OAT antifreeze, which is essentially the same as Dex-Cool. No issue with plastic tanks on the radiators whatsoever. There can be an issue with introduction of oxygen when using OAT antifreeze though, which promotes corrosion within the system. For that reason, we have converted these to GO5 (HOAT). Shorter service life is the only issue...
What material is the radiator made from? Does it have a copper/ brass oil cooler?
Similar threads
