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I have reviewed the 700/900 FAQ in regards to coolant. I justed to know what you people are using and if you have heard about Rotella ELC (extended life coolant). No, I don't work for them.
1. Based on FAQ, the "best" coolant after Volvo Liquid Gold Coolant is Vavoline Zerex Extreme G05 Coolant. However, after calling 20 trucks stops in the Houston, Texas yesterday, none of them carry it. None of the Autozone, Pep oys, Hi-Lo O'Reiley, Chief Auto Parts and smaller "high performance parts stores carry it either. Neither did Kmart, Walmart, Super-Walmart, or Target stores. Valvoline Zerex Extreme GO5 Coolant may be the "best" but if not available then it should not even be considered.
2. DEXCOOL - All the above stores carry them.
3. Regular Coolant - All the above stores carry them.
4. I was in Walmart and notice Rotella ELC coolant. Read the packaging material and it stated it was good for 600,000 miles on the road service with just one supplemental additions at the 300,000 mile mark. The coolant however was geared towards diesel engines. Could I used this coolant in my car? I about to finish a timing belt, tensioner, water pump, thermostat, 3 belts, radiator hoses, heater hoses, coolant tank hose, heater valve, radiator, coolant tank, and tank cap change and wanted to know if anyone used Rotella ELC coolant. My timing belt broke and I did not know if any of the above items had been replaced before. My wife does not mind me owning or driving a old car, she just has one rule. (If I "have to" replace any one part more than once in a three year period, then I must sell the car. The only exemption to this rule is if the car gets into an accident.)
5. I vaguely remeber Chris Herbst stating he was going to try Rotella ELC Coolant in a posting a long time ago. I tried to do a search of the archives but way too many posting and threads showed up.
6. If anyone has purchased Vavoline Zerex Extreme in the Houston vicinity, please tell me whom you bought it from.
7. I thank you in advance for your posting and advice.
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DO NOT use dexcool. Can you say that again? Sure. DO NOT USE DEXCOOL!!!! The plain jane green stuff works just dandy, however.
Roguls
New York, USA
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Why is this? I'm sure there is a rash of evidence to support it.
I mean, I do--so what's the problem?
--
1992 940 wagon, 72k
as well as others.
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http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/columns/2002/june/200206_columns_bedard.xml?keywords=patrick%20bedard
It's a good read. Enjoy.
Roguls
New York, USA
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posted by
someone claiming to be ringlee
on
Wed Jul 31 06:25 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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According to Valvoline, G-05 will be coming to mass merchandisers this fall sometime. Meanwhile, Rotella ELC looks like a good solution. It's a carboxylate-based package (similar to Dexcool) with the addition of nitrates for cavitation control in diesel engines. This can't hurt in a Volvo, but don't use their 600k recommendation: change it every few years and use distilled water only.
Coolant degrades over time, not mileage, so changing four times a year is vast overkill and a waste of coolant.
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Actually Ringlee I change it 3 times a year, every 4 months (4x3=12). And yes coolant does degrade over time, but the mileage is a factor as well. I know that even for your standard GREEN coolant they recommend from 1-2 years and up to 24,000 mile intervals (depending on how much you drive), so what ever comes first and in my case its the mileage (no question). Had you read my response you would have noticed that I drive over 1,000 miles per a week. Besides "well used corrosive" coolant has a vast effect on your hoses (eats seals/rubber), water pump and other cooling system components, not to mention the most important item, your engine block! And for what it costs why be frugal? I would rather know that the system is being over protected than say under protected. Despite the quality of these coolants they will eventually break down, and so will your car if you are not careful. I respect your opinions, but I must disagree. Its not like coolant goes for $25.00 per a gallon.And distilled water can be had for just 58 cents per a gallon (Walmart), now really why be frugal? To each his own.
Best Regards
88 740GLE non-turbo AW-70 A.T. 348,200 miles (strict maintenance) and in excellent condition.
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Yes, the tests show Zerex G whatever to be excellent. So WHERE IS IT?
You can't find it anywhere. I called wholesale distribution for FOUR chains and nobody knew what I was talking about.
So you're right in my book: Forget that. It's unrealistic.
I haven't tried Rotella ELC yet. The figures look pretty good, and from my knoweledge of diesels (which are more demanding of their coolant mix) any coolant rated for a diesel engine is AT LEAST as good for a gasoline engine.
Besides that, I think they mentioned that it was good for gas or diesel. Any heavy duty engine basically.
The thing is, I am of the belief that any cooling system that's changed (not even flushed) annually, or even every two years with decent highway driving involved, will remain clean and corrosion free. City cars with low miles and few coolant changes seem to precipitate garbage into the system. Also cars with low levels, and anything that has had ANY stop leak crap added to the car.
I am also of the belief that the Dexcool bashing is largely a result of owner neglect. I personally have never had a single Dexcool related problem in many years of use, although I hate to leave coolant in a system more than a year or two--no matter what the brand. It's so cheap and simple to change out, why would anyone bother?
The electrolysis factor enters into cooling system corrosion (and I believe it might enter into air conditioning corrosion as well but that is just my personal opinion). With all of the sensors in many past and present engines, the chance for stray voltage to appear across engine coolant. The older and more worn the coolant, the worse this problem gets. I have read about it in the tech trade publications and have tried it out.
This is a compelling reason to change out coolant at regular intervals. I'm not sure if the glysantin Zerex keeps electrolysis to a minimum, but I know that the standard ethylene glycol based mixtures are vulnerable. There are, I'm sure, various differences in the mixtures, but until there is a substantive answer as to which one reduces or eliminates that particular problem, I prefer to use new coolant, whether it be Dexcool or regular.
And another thing: Dexcool used at low levels (i.e. low fill levels) has been known to leave crystalline deposits in the engine, especially in the coolant tanks and anywhere else that air is introduced. For example, on a low radiator's inner core. That's not a very good thing. I think that some of Dexcool's bad rap has come from owner inexperience or owner's neglect to check the "long life" coolant, which can experience low levels from any number of reasons that any car would succumb to. Thereafter, it is perhaps easier or more likely that deposits or other problems would result. I still think that Dexcool is a fine product except that it seems to not push as much cabin heat as yellow coolant does. Either it's more efficient at dispersing heat from the engine (cooler cabin) or it stinks at both.
The only thing that I have heard repeatedly, and belive, is that some of the all-metal radiators have experienced some problems with Dexcool. There is apparently some component that works against the lead solder (as I recall). Personally I like the plastic instafail radiators so that is not a problem for me.
Overall, however, I think that a properly maintained cooling system with ANY halfway decent engine coolant, should have a decent result with respect to longevity.
That said, I'd be interested for ANY information about the long life Rotella coolant.
--
1992 940 wagon, 72k
as well as others.
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Greetings:
I use Texaco's version of extended life coolant. It is rated as not having harsh additives and an altogether different approach to your typical additves. In other words,regular and or some other coolant that is left in your vehicle's system too long will cause a corrosive reaction to your engine block, as the other member had specified. I use 50% distilled water and 50% Texaco extended life coolant, that is all. I replace this diluted solution every 4 months regardless (no time to be frugal), whereas I drive 1,100-1,400 miles per a week (98% hwy). I believe that Texaco extended life is the only other coolant that can be diluted with Rotella ELC. Go to www.texaco.com for further inquiry. You can go to Walmart and pick up both products for no money. Remember no tap or spring water, only "distilled". Spring and tap will cause mineral/scale build up within your cooling system, especially your in radiator.
Best Regards on your final selection!
88 740 gle wagon 348,200 miles in excellent condition (non turbo) AW-70 A.T. Full Amsoil Lube/Filtration,very very strict maintenance (4 cars). Premium fuels/fuel injection/system cleaners always, premium polishes, waxes,leather,vinyl, tire and plastic treatments (Meguiar's professional line) www.meguiars.com And no I do not work for any of the aforementioned companies.
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That's what I'm talking about.
I've only used Texaco's brand as well, which seems fine to me.
I really like your approach--no time to pinch pennies on coolant with big miles traveled. So three times a year, you spend what? Ten dollars? Maybe thirty or so per year on cooling system maintenance.
A tow costs fifty. That's for only a few miles. A water pump? At least forty and that is if you do the labor. Radiators? Well over a hundred. And a heater core would ruin everyone's day.
--
1992 940 wagon, 72k
as well as others.
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Chris you figured right about $20.00. If one were to simply divide the calculation into their budget on a weekly basis it would be around 40 cents per a week! Heck for 40 cents why pinch? The cooling system is one of the most important systems of any vehicle. Again if one were to go to Walmart these products are available. What ever you do, do not go to PEP BOYS, and or AutoZone for this coolant,they want something like $8.00 per a gallon. Oh and one other thing, go to Advance Discount Auto Parts for your hoses, they cost no money. The quality is good, but Dayco/Gates make the excellent products! Only my opinion.
Best Regards
I can't wait to hit the 400,000 mile marker!
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Thanks both for your info.
I called 5 more truck stops today and they all said they did not carry Vavoline Zerex Extreme G05 Coolant.
I bought 3 gallons of premixed Rotella ELC last night at a $8 a gallon. This should be more than enough for my application. Chris if you are interested, go to www.rotella.com to get more info. I agree with you, if this product is good enough for diesel engines then its good enough for my Volvo. (Funny, Zerex Extreme G05 is also supposed to be good for diesel engines too.) Since I change my coolant every two years no matter what, I think I will be "safe margin" the entire time the coolant is in my car. I do a monthly fluid check so hopefully this will check care of the low coolant problems.
PS. Rotella ELC is red in color and they recommended not contaminating it with other types of coolant. I am going to tape a dated coolant label under the hood so I remember when and what type of coolant was used.
PS2. I also replaced the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley. The old one showed only small tiny "baby cracks in the rubber bushing, but since the car is over 11 year old I went ahead and replaced it. I did not want to mess with the three belts again.
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No problem duc phan. That is good that you got a 50/50 mixture. Texaco sells a 50/50 mixture too, but I can't seem to find it. So I just opt for their ELC version. Incidently the Texaco ELC has most if not all of the same properties (Calcium Formulation etc) as your choice, its just a orange in color. By the way how many miles do you have on your vehicle?
Best Regards
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My car just passed 140,000. I was was going to to wait until 150,000 to do the timing belt, tensioner, belts, ect. However, the timing belt broke just before July 4, and my vacation. My wife was not happy that the car broke down on me, but I told her that if was my fault for delaying the maintenance/replacement work since I did not know what the previous owner did. Since I got the car the last November. I have been doing maintenance/replacement work on it every three months. This is one of my last maintenance/replacement project for this car. The only project left is the engine and transmission mount replacement.
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Keep up good maintenance and you will have your vehicle for many more years. They are excellent in safety and are very reliable. Your mileage is nice and low (young for a Volvo). Keep us posted on how the Rotella ELC works for you.
Take Care
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