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Posted By Discussion Topic: Coolant -- page: 1 2     Old Henry 09-15-2014 @ 12:48 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 738 Joined: Apr 2010 I switched from Ethylene to Propylene by just draining out the one and putting in the other without even any flushing and have no problems. len47merc 09-15-2014 @ 8:46 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1165 Joined: Oct 2013 Thanks everyone for your replies. Like TomO I also use steam distilled and have always had great results with it in all my vehicles over the years. Main interest here was whether replacing the less than 6-months old Prestone (solution mixed to protect down to 0 degrees, installed when bringing the car back to life earlier this year) with Sierra was worth the investment based on additional potential cooling. Based on Tom's comments from his experience that he has not noticed a significant difference in temp control between the two I plan to wait until next summer to flush and changeover to Sierra (changeover for the reason noted by Tom). I have read that mixing propylene glycol with ethylene glycol produces a 'muck' that is very difficult to fully remove from a system. If true, are there any concerns or special considerations one should be aware of and/or follow when changing over to Sierra from Prestone other than thorough flushing of the entire cooling system to remove as much Prestone as possible? Basically is flushing with water adequate to allow for a problem-free conversion, specifically in our V8s' cooling systems, or is something more required (e.g., specific chemical flush)? Thanks again to you all for all your work, experience, studies and references on stats and coolants - really great stuff and very helpful. Steve This message was edited by len47merc on 9-15-14 @ 8:46 AM TomO 09-15-2014 @ 7:44 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7250 Joined: Oct 2009 In my grocery store, steam distilled water is around $1 a gallon. To clean a radiator of mineral deposits is around $100. I use distilled water in my cooling system. Tom supereal 09-14-2014 @ 2:20 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 Deminerlized water is usually less expensive than distilled. Neither will break the bank. Our water here comes from a deep well, and even after a trip thru the softener it is still not suitable for the radiator, so we have to use the other. Old Henry 09-14-2014 @ 1:47 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 738 Joined: Apr 2010 Here's the data on the difference between Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ethylene-propylene-glycol-d_904.html This message was edited by Old Henry on 9-14-14 @ 4:07 PM JT Ford 09-14-2014 @ 1:25 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 112 Joined: Oct 2009 The only reason I use Sierra is that if it leaks in the garage and my dog drinks it, it could kill her! If it were not for that I wouldn't spend the extra money for it. And I wouldn't use distilled water either. TomO 09-14-2014 @ 8:46 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7250 Joined: Oct 2009 I have not noticed a significant difference in temperature control between Sierra and Prestone, except when the Prestone foamed and ran out the overflow. The Sierra doesn't foam as easily as the Sierra. The big advantage of Sierra is that if you have a leak into the combustion chamber or oil pan, it will not destroy your engine like Prestone. Tom len47merc 09-13-2014 @ 6:53 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1165 Joined: Oct 2013 Tagging on to this discussion, much is made of the additional cooling benefits of Sierra propylene glycol versus Prestone ethylene glycol. From a purely technical perspective understandably so. Just curious as to whether anyone has empirical data/knowledge/experience with your personal V8s as to what the actual improvement and/or reduction in temperature may be realized by using the Sierra product in our engines. Thanks in advance - Steve Drbrown 09-13-2014 @ 6:33 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 570 Joined: Nov 2013 The above are correct. Don't take a chance. If the local electric service went out for very long you could experience damage (been there). I'm in upstate NY and use 50/50 mix to get protection down to minus 20 or so. Mix per container. joe b 09-13-2014 @ 10:37 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 389 Joined: Oct 2010 TomO has said it best. As an old timer told me "When all else fails, follow the directions". I lived in NH for a few years and protected my '41 to -20. If you feel you are having cooling problems in the summer change to water. I like to use distilled. Also, I don't know your heated garage situation but I remember reading something on another thread that I never thought of. The guy had a heated garage so didn't bother with anti-freeze. His heat went out and his engine froze up. Better safe than Oh so sorry.

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