Exact Antifreeze Brand

[ZR1Vette]

First, Peak Long Life lists several ingredients, including the NJTSRN QT1 which tech jargon for their "proprietary mystery" ingredient(s) that the manufacturer doesn't want to share with us as to the specifics. It is the same ingredients found in DexCool, which is under fire for engine damage (here is an example of one of many litigation's concerning this issue>> http://www.dexcoolsettlement.com/notice.pdf ).

Peak Long Life is listed as being compliant to GM 1825M (which is a performance standard not a chemical composition guideline), but at the same time does note "Contains no phosphates or silicates"

ASTM D-3306
This specification covers the requirements for ethylene glycol or propylene glycol base engine coolants used in automobiles or other light duty service cooling systems. When concentrates are used at 40 to 70 % concentration by volume in water, or when prediluted glycol base engine coolants (50 volume % minimum) are used without further dilution, they will function effectively to provide protection against freezing, boiling, and corrosion.

ASTM D-4340
This test method provides a means for selectively screening unused engine coolants and will readily distinguish those coolants that are unsuitable for use with aluminum cylinder head engines. However, satisfactory performance of a coolant in this test method does not ensure adequate long-term service performance.

[QB93Z]

Thanks Michael.

Jim

[tomtom72]

I know that I took the easy, but expensive, way out with my car. I buy the GM stuff over the internet. Only draw back is the dealer I used to use is no longer a chevy dealer. Most of the local chevy stores near me don't stock the stuff and are not too keen on ordering one case for an over the counter customer.

The GM part number for the stuff that came in our cars is: 12378560....well that was the P/N two yrs ago.


Tom

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by tomtom72

I know that I took the easy, but expensive, way out with my car. I buy the GM stuff over the internet. Only draw back is the dealer I used to use is no longer a chevy dealer. Most of the local chevy stores near me don't stock the stuff and are not too keen on ordering one case for an over the counter customer.

The GM part number for the stuff that came in our cars is: 12378560....well that was the P/N two yrs ago.


Tom

You can order here: http://gmpartsdirect.com/

Rich

[QB93Z]

My experience is that when I spend time running around town doing all the searching and find the coolant I plan to use. I record all the info off the container and the store where I bought it.

4 months later I go back to that store and they don't carry that stuff any more. So I have to do all the running around and research all over again.

I think the manufacturers purposely keep switching the labels and mixtures so that they can't ever get pinned down on exactly what they are selling.

Rant over, thanks for listening.

Jim

[PhillipsLT5]

Try Zerex, original formula, 1825M on label, from NAPA

[95ZR1#418]

Hi All-

Well, after reading this thread I started to freak out because I just went through my coolant system(stat,hoses,flush) and had no intention to put DexiCool in it. Then I see Prestone "Extended Life" is the same as Dexicool. I used Prestone to refill my system, 10% with distilled water and water wetter.

So out to the garage I go to read my Prestone bottle.

The front of the yellow 1 gal. jug says: NEW Formula! ALL Makes, ALL Models. Mix with any color antifreeze. Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant(caps were as I printed here).

The Back of jug says:
Warning: Contains Ethylene glycol(107-21-1), Diethylene glycol(111-46-6), Sodium 2-ethyl hexanoate(19766-89-3), and Sodium neodecanoate(31548-27-3).

From what I read here, this containing Ethylene glycol, this prestone product should be O.K. to use, meaning it is not Dexicool, is this correct logic??


The product goes on to state: Intended for all passenger vehicles & light trucks. Compatible with ANY make or model on the road today. Designed to provide up to 5 years or 150,000 miles of protection for extended performance when added to ANY EXTENDED LIFE antifreeze/coolant(The caps were in the write up). Protects aluminum & all other engine metals. The product does not specifically state it meets GM 1825M spec

Tell me this is O.K., and is not the extended life others have mentioned here. I bought this Prestone in March of 2006.....

[95ZR1#418]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Originally Posted by Dynomite
Is Prestone Extended Life antifreeze a good selection for the LT5 engine?



I asked Z Factor to set up a "what antifreeze do you use" survey similar to the "what oil do you use" survey. That would be very interesting for a lot of us

...But this doesn't make any sense(see my post above). The Prestone extended life I'm using lists Ethylene glycol as the basic ingredient. As others have stated, this is what you want, an ethylene glycol based coolant, "the old stuff". So how can it be considered the same as Dexicool???

[ZR1Vette]

The LT5 requires silicates... Prestone Extended Life info states:

Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant is phosphate, silicate, and borate free. This coolant uses a special chemistry and technology (basically HOAT/OAT) that extends the life of the corrosion inhibitor package so that it lasts for five years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first), and is safe for all cars and light trucks. Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant has been approved by General Motors under their DEX-COOL® specifications and is compatible with other DEX-COOL® approved coolants.

Also, OAT (Organic Acid Technology) & HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) based antifreezes should not be used with the LT5 engine so you need to take a peak at this chart>>
http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/Coolants_matrix.pdf

As a 'rule of thumb'>>>
Even though raw coolant has no color, manufacturers dye the coolant to help discern different types of coolant. Most cars manufactured before 1995 were designed to run the traditional "green stuff," which contain silicates that coat and protect cooling system components. However, these silicates deplete more quickly, requiring coolant changes every two years or 24,000 miles. Bascially, post 1995 GM cars use Dex Cool and can not use silicated (aka Green Stuff) coolant and vice versa pre 1995 can not and should not use Dex Cool (or non silicated/OAT/HOAT) coolants.

I am not a coolant engineer or chemist, but base my comments on research and talking to those who understand coolant chemistry and automotive applications. I DO agree that this subject is difficult due to manufacturers vague information on formulation and attempts the 'one size fits all aka "safe for all cars and light trucks" which is blantly not true. Called marketing driving "facts" for market share.

[Hammer]

The NAPA brand antifreeze is the only antifreeze I have found in the common stores that meets all the requirements of the 1825M GM designation. I did not look at the Zerex, so that might be OK too. The NAPA brand has the silicates needed shown in the ingrediants.