Suitable coolant / Corrosion inhibitor.

[rob love]

Antifreeze is cheap, and has all the inhibitors and lubricants required. I say use that.

Antifreeze does require to be changed every 5 years or so as it will get corrosive over time. I have dealt with very low mileage vehicles but with very old antifreeze, and the results weren't pretty.

Also, something a little newer is to test and adjust the PH level of your antifreeze. This has been available since the 80s as I recall, and isimportant, especially with the dissimilar metals of aluminum and steel.

[Grant Bowker]

Another advantage of ethylene glycol coolant is that it raises the boiling point if you have any worries about overheating. I don't know the values for an unpressurized system like the CMP's but Prestone (brand name but often used as a generic name for antifreeze) claims 265 degrees F for a 15psi system (50/50 mix).

[Lynn Eades]

Grant, one pound raises boiling point by four degrees F.
So, a 15 pound system has a boiling point 60 degrees F. on top of the std 212 degrees (at sea level)
As it happens Wartime Ford Carrier radiators are good for about 3.5 pounds.
I am running an adapter with a 4 pound cap. So far so good.
I believe there is a water wetter that has a higher boiling point than water. Is that the Prestons you speak of?

Rob. Thanks! I was thinking of you when I posted. I will look into the PH test.
It can be be done with an Ohm meter if I remember correctly.
Can anyone give us a run down on it?

Marco, I was considering the Green or Red, which apparently should not be mixed. Is one better than the other with regards water pump seal lube?

[rob love]

An ohmeter to test PH is a new one on me, but I do believe the PH level and the continuity may be related.

If you google antifreeze PH test, you will find a lot more about the subject. One article mentions that automotive parts stores will sell test strips. Apparently, water is fairly PH neutral at around 7, and AF is around 10. Mixed 50/50, the PH goes to about 8.5. The PH adjustment that the articles mention is to bring it back to around 10. Seems to me with the heavy trucks, we changed the coolant filters, and could adjust the PH through using a differently rated filter.

I have always preferred the common green A/F. My wifes car (an Oldsmobile) requires the yellow stuff called dexcool, and that is touted as long life. It is also relatively expensive.

I would venture to guess that you guys from the Southern Hemisphere don't have a lot of antifreeze experience. Up here it is mandatory.....a night outside with just water and you will crack your engine block.

[cletrac (RIP)]

I've had motors with the same antifreeze in them for 40 years and there were no problems.
Don't mix colours on antifreeze. Use the proper type with aluminum heads.
Heavy duty diesel antifreeze won't score cylinders if it gets past the O-rings on the sleeves.

[RichardT10829]

I didn't run anti freeze during summer months, but rather distilled water and water wetter which has inhibitors in. the block was pristine clean ! it also ran cooler too

[Ken Smith]

Good day,
I use Caterpillar coolant in all my vehicles petrol and diesel, it is reasonably priced and does a good job keeping the coolant systems rust free. They also have an extender that you can use to recharge the coolant.
We use it in our Cat engined machines and trucks at work that are left out in all weathers, the only problem we have is in cold weather when the coolant pipes shrink and then there is a small weep at the hose. We either tighten the clamps a bit or when the engine warms up and the pipes expand the weep stops.
Ken