Propylene Glycol coolants.

[Blknight.aus]

Has any one tried the newer range of propylene Glycol coolants.

a little quick research shows that depending on the variant it matches the performance of ethylene glycol and some of the OAT style coolants but is environmentally safe and non toxic.

I'm thinking about trying it out as a provided product if it stacks up to its claims, one of the pages I looked at suggested that a suit able disposal method is to put it out on a large tray, evaporate it and the dispose of the remaining dried materail as part of your normal waste.

[DieselDan]

Hi Dave
I don't have any direct experience of using the propylene glycol but my (admittedly limited) knowledge is that the only advantage is the non-toxic nature as you've pointed out. So gets used in marine environments and in the food/brewing industries where the pollution risk is high.
From a performance perspective, the antifreeze benefits and anti-corrosion additives may be on a par with ethylene but the higher viscosity and much lower thermal conductivity of propylene would presumably make the engine run hotter?? I'm thinking small, relatively hot running engines powering a brick (300Tdi....!) might not like it!

[Tombie]

From Penrite:

What is the difference between Mono Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol?The main difference (https://penriteoil.com.au/faqs/181/what-is-the-difference-between-the-indus-pro-hydraulic-and-indus-hv-hydraulic-oils) between Propylene Glycol (https://penriteoil.com.au/knowledge-centre/Coolant%20Composition/148/glycol-comparison/388) and Ethylene Glycol (https://penriteoil.com.au/knowledge-centre/Coolant%20Composition/148/glycol-comparison/388) in antifreeze/antiboil coolants (https://penriteoil.com.au/knowledge-centre/Coolant%20Composition/148/composition/287) comes down to the toxicity levels and efficiency of performance.
Ethylene glycol has superior heat transfer properties whereas Propylene Glycol has a very low toxicity level.
These differences also dictate where they are best served. Propylene Glycol based coolants are suited to environments (https://penriteoil.com.au/knowledge-centre/Oil%20Servicing/162/driving-conditions-and-environment/436) where their low toxicity levels will not cause harm such as in marine and outdoor areas whereas Monoethylene Glycol is more suited to modern (https://penriteoil.com.au/faqs/176/can-i-use-modern-engine-oils-in-my-older-vehicle) hotter running motor vehicles where its better heat transfer properties can be utilised.

[rick130]

Australian Cummins/Fleetguard coolants have been propylene glycol for well over a decade.
As Mike posted, ethylene glycol has better heat transfer properties, but I think in practice it's bugger all difference.
I've used Fleetguard PG Platinum across the Tdi, Nissan TD42T and TD5 and the internals are always nice and clean, but like all OAT's it will track past hose joins if things aren't totally clean and tight.

Also remember that while virgin PG is not toxic, used coolant will probably have heavy metals in it that have leached out of the block and whatever other metals are in the cooling system