Ethylene/Propylene, does it really matter?

[PhighLow]

My "18" YZ250X manual says to use ethylene based coolant with corrosion inhibiters, I came across a free jug of engine ice which is propylene based....I know that when in doubt follow manual instructions but I thought I'd see what you guys know or think. I read a lot of reviews on the stuff and they are 98% good, can I use it?

[highmarker]

Evans is like a ~ 70/30  mix of the two, so if your asking is it ok to add to what's in there? it's ok.

[Doc_d]

You can use it.  I'd flush everything out good first as I never trust mixing coolants even when they are claimed to be compatible. 

Just know that Engine Ice is marketing BS.  Propylene glycol has less cooling capacity than good old Ethylene Glycol.   So it doesn't cool as well.   It does have the advantage of being non-toxic and some motorsports sanctioning bodies require it or straight water.  So Propylene Glycol has it's uses.  Where it becomes marketing BS is when Engine Ice sells it pre-diluted for $22 per 1/2 gallon.   When you consider that's only 1/4 gallon Propylene Glycol, you are paying $88 per gallon for Propylene Glycol.   You can go to any auto parts store and buy Sierra Brand Propylene Glycol coolant for $17 per gallon.  So anyone who has a need to run Propylene Glycol, don't be a sucker.

For anyone who wants to run Ethylene Glycol, Prestone's AF2000 (not pre-mixed) or AF2100 (pre-mixed) is what you want.  It has no silicates or phosphates and is available everywhere cheap.

Doc

[Doug.]

The main difference between propylene glycol and ethylene is the level of toxicity. Propylene glycol has a very low toxicity, which is why it is also found in cosmetics and personal care products, whereas ethylene glycol is poisonous and must be handled with caution to restrict any human or animal exposure. To my knowledge there is no cooling disadvantage between the two.

Edited August 22, 2019 by Doug.

[450Ruf]

Good ole water is the best for cooling. Using a 50/50 cools and prevents rust and corrosion.

[Doc_d]

48 minutes ago, Doug. said:

The main difference between propylene glycol and ethylene is the level of toxicity. Propylene glycol has a very low toxicity, which is why it is also found in cosmetics and personal care products, whereas ethylene glycol is poisonous and must be handled with caution to restrict any human or animal exposure. To my knowledge there is no cooling disadvantage between the two.

 

From the same site you got this from ....

Quote

The difference between Propylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol in antifreeze comes down to both toxicity levels and efficiency of performance. Ethylene glycol possess far superior heat transfer properties whereas Propylene Glycol carries a very low toxicity. 

 

Doc

[Doug.]

23 minutes ago, Doc_d said:

 

From the same site you got this from ....

 

Doc

[Doc_d]

6 minutes ago, Doug. said:

 

Sorry, wasn't trying to be a smart ass...  Just pointing out that Ethylene Glycol cools better than Propylene Glycol no matter how hard Engine Ice tries to market it to the contrary. 

Doc

[GasItandCrash]

On 8/22/2019 at 1:39 AM, PhighLow said:

My "18" YZ250X manual says to use ethylene based coolant

Howdy, This is just conjecture, but they probably say that so that you don't use Methanol.  The Russian Army is still having problems with using Methanol for anti-freeze. 

[Z1RK]

8 hours ago, 450Ruf said:

Good ole water is the best for cooling. Using a 50/50 cools and prevents rust and corrosion.

What he said.

I've researched this to death trying to get the CMA to change it's rules.  Water actually does have more thermal capacity than either type of glycol but will boil sooner, freeze, and corrode things.  With a high concentration of Propylene glycol you can have a really high boiling point but you can still over heat your engine.  But. tour engine is in more danger if it doesn't have coolant because it all boiled off.  It's a ballance.  The two glycols can be mixed fine.  Both can be topped up with water if you suddenly find you're low.  I use Propylene in about a 60/40 mix because it doesn't have the same crappy residue on your hands and tools, washes off better, isn't as slippery when spilled.  I use it in all my bikes; street, road race, dual sport, dirt bike (yz250fx).  I also use an overflow bottle on all my bikes so that I still have coolant after the engine cools down.

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by Z1RK

[Dirtstache 556]

Anyone have a link to actual tests between Engine ice, normal antifreeze, and plain water? I can't seem to find any. Would also like to see a test where they mix the two types and see if any sluge actually forms