Thread: Fluids...

Hi Mike,
I've been using Penrite ATF FS for 2 years and found it to be fine. I just did a full transmission service, removed pan, changed filter and fluid, and the pan was quite clean. No shift issues or leaks at all so I'd recommend it. My trans is original at 252K Km.

Cheers
Simon

Thanks Simon, I'll get some of the Penrite ATF ordered. I just need to nail down which Coolant now!
Cheers
Mike

As it's a modern engine, doesn't the V8 need an OAT based coolant? (I have a TD5, so don't know, but as it's got an aluminium radiator etc I suspect it would). From my quick look at these products on the interweb, I can't see any reference to OAT.

I'm wondering if these products easily obtainable in Australia, or are they a special order / freighted in from the USA?

Get some Nulon Red OAT (flush out the block with either Nulon R40 or the new product from cost effective maintenance prior to use). That way you'll have a product that is easily found at most auto stores and will do the required job.

Hi Bsperka, Is OAT coolant really needed?
Davis Performance in Sydney have started using the Evans Waterless coolant. I'm still in two minds about it and the more I read the more I can't make my mind up! Some of the Cummins coolants can also, like the Evans, be a lifetime coolant (with the addition of an inhibitor every 300,000 mile).
I'm may be looking in to this too much but if I'm going to the expense of a new motor I want to make sure some of the key parts of the systems are as good as they can be! The curse of the internet is there are lots of opinions and find facts can be pretty tricky!!

Cheers

Mike

IN the end, you make your choice, pay your money.

When in doubt, I go by the manufacturer's specifications as a starting point. If you have no doubts that the product you are putting in, and the premium paid is worth the benefit, then go for it. Whilst 300,000 miles sounds impressive for a passenger vehicle, that's not much for a prime mover.

Use manufacturer spec for the Hondas that I have, for the same reason. Hence Honda coolant only.

No doubt in my mind about OAT (or even hybrid OAT now) for the TD5.
Coolant specification "from owner manual"
"Use ONLY a 50% mix of water and Havoline Extended Life Coolant (XLC) or any ethylene glycol based anti-freeze (containing no methanol) with only Organic Acid Technology (OAT) corrosion inhibitors. "

Evans Waterless seems to be a pretty good product according to the marketing blurb. Other sites indicate some issues (engine runs hotter, etc) You will need to follow the prep process to remove scale, water etc from the cooling system. Need to consider why you are putting it in. Davis Performance puts it in to keep the engine cooler due to using a performance chip. But does it?

Evans Waterless can only tolerate 3% water in the system (from website), (less than 300ml of water) so what happens if you have a coolant loss on a track. Does it mean dumping the fluid and putting in all water etc. (Unless you are carrying more Evans waterless). What happens if the water content goes above this? For example if you take the vehicle to be serviced and they top up the system with coolant, what will happen?

As per the website, "Evans Waterless Coolants never need changing. Once in the cooling system Evans will protect for the life of the engine." Sounds interesting, and at over $200 for a fill (from what I can gather), it should be. BTW: hoses etc do fail, work does need to be done that will require coolant draining etc, so the fluid will need to be gathered and stored.

Have a look at this link http://www.3si.org/forum/f11/dumping...-setup-206021/ (LRD running hotter, about propylene glycol etc)

Cummins seems to be a better proposition, as its more compatible with, ummm.... water... and people making errors in service etc.


IF you do use it, then report up how things are going in a reasonable time.

I've not had the disco for that long but I've got in the habit of carrying a selection of fluids and the odd spare part in the back!

Evans is feeling like the riskier option......a few to many unknowns. Cummins OAT coolant may be the best for now.

Penrite HPR engine
Penrite SIN ATF (Full Synth now has new name)
Penrite purple Coolant (OAT)
Penrite Limslip 85/140 Diffs (diff builder uses limslip in everything to keep it simple without ill effects in non clutch LSD and open diffs)
Penrite 85 gear oil Transfer

IMO PG Platinum, it's pre-mixed at 50:50, cheap as from Cummins and it's chemistry makes it one of the most modern HOAT's available.

I don't believe in the 'waterless' coolants at all, water has a much, much higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity than any other common liquid.

FWIW waters specific heat and thermal conductivity is double that of ethylene glycol.