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Re: Saab vs. M Benz vs. Prestone coolant... Posted by Kevin K [Email]  (#374) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Kevin K) on Sat, 19 Oct 2002 16:09:52
In Reply to: Saab vs. M Benz vs. Prestone coolant..., Joe98, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 09:55:09 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
For last decade in the usa, Saab (blue), MB (325.0), and VW (774C) coolants are per general euro spec G-48, low silicate, phosphate free. G-48 uses some organic acid (dexcool stuff) in the mix for corrosion protection, since no phosphates and less silicates are used. It works well with hard water, as exists on the east coast. But each oem also can tweak their house brew and still be in the general spec ... MB was allegedly a bit better than the rest. Old MB coolant was pale colored, new stuff is blue but allegedly the same, except now amine and nitrate free (enviro).
Std green prestone has phosphates that can be issue with hard water. Also, many classic saab cyl heads and gaskets had corrosion probs at the exh side, with saab coolant use, or more often cheap phosphated coolant (one case had 2 year flushes). Some late 90's vw's had head gasket prob's with G48, (autobaun G11), and vw retro'd dexcool type stuff in them.
Most new extended life coolants have no silicates, and rely on completely diff corrosion protections using only organic acids. New audis, saabs,and GMs come with it. The euro spec is G-30, and includes dexcool and prestone long life. Inspite of adds, mixing is not recomended. For conversion from silicated stuff, VW has elaborate cleaning spec, and GM says don't do it.
New on the block is an upgraded version of G-48 that has more 'dexcool' acid stuff for a longer life rating ... Mopar 5-100K, and zerex G-05 (at autozone). Since silcates are used, no problem with conversion.
My orig saab rad core inlets were near completely plugged with white stuff aft 80K, 2year flushes + mostly tap water and green stuff. Ran dexcool in saab and rx7 (alum rad), and both developed rad core weeping leaks (still held pressure). just converted saab to mopar g-05, and leak stopped within a week!. will do 7 soon.
That said, based partly on Tom's data, the MB coolant + dist'd water, 2 yr changes, is most reliable path. I've gone with 'thoretical' best long life retro, the G-05 brew.
posted by 67.208.7...
, Sat, 19 Oct 2002 16:09:52 <-- Viewing This Message, Sun, 20 Oct 2002 16:40:38
, Sat, 19 Oct 2002 12:19:04
, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 11:37:11
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