New style of antifreeze

Dale2 · Jan 11, 2020

I have just replaced an engine in a Kia auto. The top tank on the radiator split and it lost the antifreeze and ruined the engine. Looking in the radiator there was a gel like substance covering the tubes of the core. I am wondering what that is and if it had anything to do with the type of antifreeze in it. I have known the car for about 6 years and there was not any additives put in the cooling system. I was told some of the newer antifreeze would gel for some reason but I am having a hard time with that. Anyone have any ideals what it could be?
thanks
Dale

danofarming · Jan 11, 2020

If the new Red stuff is mixed with the old Green it will turn to jelly. I would advise that the radiator be replaced.

Dale2 · Jan 11, 2020

The radiator had to be replaced. The tank split

Crazy Horse · Jan 11, 2020

I'm glad you're saving the Kia, with our throwaway world it's nice to see someone not so quick on the draw to scrap it and buy something new. I don't imagine they repair those nowadays do they? So a new factory "crate" engine (if that's the correct term)? How many miles did you have on it before the rad decided to pack it in?

DoubleO7 · Jan 11, 2020

Sounds like this is a customer's car.
Somewhere somebody added the wrong antifreeze, likely was overheating and being replenished several times before it came to you for replacement of engine instead of just the tank.

sixbales · Jan 11, 2020

Howdy Dale,
Your question caused me to do some checking, because I've wondered about mixing different colored antifreeze. I copied the following off of the internet:

"Orange antifreeze should not be mixed with green antifreeze because they are not compatible. If mixed together, these two types of antifreeze form a cloudy substance and precipitation that can decrease the coolant's useful life properties.

Although both the green and orange antifreeze are ethylene glycol-based, the difference between them is that they contain different corrosion inhibitor ingredients or additives. While orange antifreeze contains organic acids, green antifreeze has additives, such as silicates, borates and phosphates. The interaction of these different antifreeze types causes the formation of silicate precipitation, which has an impact on corrosion protection."

JK-NY · Jan 11, 2020

Mixing of the different types of antifreeze can cause problems like what you see. This is a case of needing to stick with OEM spec coolant or flush system thoroughly before changing to a different type of coolant.

Dale2 · Jan 11, 2020

The car had 140 k and ran and looked great till it overheated. I got a used engine with 80k on it from advance auto. I did not know they had salvage yards but they do. It was here 4 days later. I was extremely please with the looks and packaging of the engine. It is going to make grandson a great little first car. Engine swap was a piece of cake and engine started right up without any noises or smoke.

John M · Jan 11, 2020

Color doesn't play as much of a part in things as it use to. BUT the info posted is correct for the TYPE of antifreeze.

wilson ind · Jan 11, 2020

First post said tank split would necessitate rad replacement. Plastic tank

oliver power · Jan 11, 2020

I've bought anti freeze of one color, that said on the container that's ok to mix with the other colors....

MarkB_MI · Jan 12, 2020

Stop leak?

Hoenes · Jan 13, 2020

Dex-cool will also turn into jelly when used exclusively, by itself. From what I have read, GM had the infinite wisdom to put their own version of a stop leak into dexcool. (Probably trying to compensate for all the intake and head gasket failures.) This was a few years ago. Dexcool seems to be better now, in my car and truck.

New style of antifreeze

Dale2

Member

danofarming

Member

Dale2

Member

Crazy Horse

Well-known Member

DoubleO7

Well-known Member

sixbales

Member

JK-NY

Well-known Member

Dale2

Member

John M

Well-known Member

wilson ind

Well-known Member

oliver power

Member

MarkB_MI

Well-known Member

Hoenes

Member

Similar threads