blkbrdrydr Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 I was changing my coolant today and used Honda coolant as I always do. While I was waiting for the engine to cool during the flushing process, I came across this information. It's a few years old and compares Honda brand to the ones that contained Silicates but using Brand X is what caused my Goldwing's water pump failure in 1997 so I found the article interesting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recently, several people have questioned whether the coolant (anti-freeze) sold by Honda and Acura dealers is different from the popular mass-market brands. Honda has sent the information attached below to its dealers. While you might not expect the source to be exactly unbiased, it does provide technical information and justification for differences in their formula. Genuine Honda Coolant is the Only Way to Go Increasingly severe operating conditions and the advent of lower maintenance requirements have resulted in significant changes in the variety and the concentration of additives used in engine coolant. Also, the continual improvements in engine and vehicle design have challenged coolant suppliers to design products that perform well in a more demanding environment. To meet these needs, Honda engineers have developed a superior, high-quality coolant that has several advantages over the competition. Some antifreeze, although labeled as safe for aluminum parts, may not be compatible with Acura cooling system components. Extensive research and testing by both Honda R&D and CCI, the manufacturer of the Honda coolant, have proven that the abrasive silicates and/or borates found in most domestic coolants can cause these problems: - - Silicates bond to the surface of the water pump seal and act as an abrasive, causing considerable seal erosion and coolant leakage. In actual tests, the silicated coolant caused early leakage. This leakage increased dramatically until a substantial portion of the coolant had been lost. In contrast, the Honda coolant had almost no leakage through the duration of the test. Chart here, entitled "Coolant Leakage from Water Pump Seal", showing Leaked Coolant Volume in ml as follows for each test duration in Hours: 24 hrs: Honda Coolant 0, Typical Silicated Coolant 21 48 hrs: Honda Coolant 1, Typical Silicated Coolant 36 72 hrs: Honda Coolant 2, Typical Silicated Coolant 47 96 hrs: Honda Coolant 2, Typical Silicated Coolant 55 120 hrs: Honda Coolant 2.5, Typical Silicated Coolant 56 144 hrs: Honda Coolant 3.5, Typical Silicated Coolant 57 168 hrs: Honda Coolant 4, Typical Silicated Coolant 58.8 192 hrs: Honda Coolant 6, Typical Silicated Coolant 63 200 hrs: Honda Coolant 6, Typical Silicated Coolant 64 - - Silicates tend to gel and settle in the coolest parts of the cooling system, causing radiator plugging and overheating. - - Borates cause pitting corrosion on the cylinder head. - - Silicate inhibitors are difficult to stabilize and, therefore, limit coolant shelf life. Most commercially available coolants were originally designed for cast iron engines. Silicate, an inexpensive additive, was added to coolants to prevent aluminum corrosion, but the long-term durability of the combination was not tested. In contrast, Honda coolant was designed specifically for aluminum engines. It contains an organic corrosion inhibitor instead of silicate. This superior formula gives these advantages: - - No silicate abrasion of water pump seals. For example, these graphs show the surface roughness of two aluminum water pump seal rings. Seal A, exposed to silicated coolant, shows considerable damage. Seal B, exposed to Honda coolant, displays only minute wear. [graphs here, showing roughness across the surface, with A a very wiggly line, and B a very smooth line] - - No plugging or overheating caused by silicate gelling. - - Excellent corrosion protection for aluminum components. - - Long-term corrosion protection for other cooling system materials (steel, cast iron, copper, solder, gaskets, seals, and O-rings). You can find less expensive coolants on the market, but now you can see why genuine Honda coolant is the only coolant approved for Honda and Acura vehicles (it MUST be used for warranty repairs). Honda's non-silicate formula delivers added protection not offered by 95 percent of other brands. Since our customers expect lower maintenance, you're doing them an injustice if you use any other coolant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bird Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 Should I stop using Motul coolant. I have used it for several years and travelled through some hot states and provinces without concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
testrider Posted May 7, 2006 Share Posted May 7, 2006 I have been using Toyota coolant. It's for aluminum engine, silicate free and red too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartonmd Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I just use the Prestone "all makes, all models" stuff, because it's green AND slicate free... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprack Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 Engine Ice works just as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartonmd Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Engine Ice works just as well. Yeah, if you live somewhere that it doesn't get below 32F... (assuming Engine Ice is like Water Wetter) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadem Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Engine ice freeze point is -27f or -32.7c http://www.engineice.cc/products.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartonmd Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Engine ice freeze point is -27f or -32.7c http://www.engineice.cc/products.html Ah, so it is different than water wetter... Good deal then! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionStarCBRxx Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I was curious about the pretty green of the Honda fluid and wondered why it was so "special". So I am resurecting this thread for others to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVLXX Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Blah blah blah.... keep replacing your coolant and keep spending your moneys... Not here... Evans High Performance Coolant combines the benefits of Evans NPG+ and NPGR. NPG+c provides superior cooling protection for all gasoline and light duty diesel engines, including marine and light aircraft. In conditions ranging from -40Ëš to 375ËšF. High Performance Coolant provides cooling protection through constant liquid coolant contact with engine metals. Eliminates water-causing corrosion, electrolysis and cavitation. One successful installation provides cooling protection for the life-time of the engine, reducing maintenance time and expense. Boils 375F @0psi Freezes -40F Viscosity 2.3cp @ 212F Surface Tension 44dyn/cm 1 gallon $43.95 http://www.evanscooling.com/products/coolants/automotive/ I've had in in my Bike since.... 2005 I believe. Not a single problem with it yet. But I will say.. the information posted about the Silicates and the borates was interesting, and noted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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