How do I know if my engine coolant is leaking?
Look for signs of coolant leakage—a light-colored residue or stain—around the radiator cap, on hoses throughout the engine compartment (check the ends where they are clamped to other components) and on the radiator itself. If it looks like a hose is leaking near a clamp, try tightening the clamp with a screwdriver.
What would cause a coolant leak?
A coolant/antifreeze leak can occur for a variety of reasons, including a blown radiator hose, a bad hose clamp, warped head gasket, or the most common reason, a foreign object kicked up by the truck in front of you penetrating the radiator itself.
Is it OK to put antifreeze in classic cars?
These products use hybrid organic acid technology in an ethylene glycol base with some silicates in the formulation alongside the organic corrosion inhibitors. The product is usually coloured green and is not recommended for use in historic vehicles. FBHVC is still researching this problem but its current advice is:
When did OAT antifreeze come out in cars?
OAT was introduced in the mid-1990s and the products are biodegradable, recyclable, do not contain either silicates or phosphates and are designed to be longer lasting. However, these products do seem to cause problems in older engines.
When did they start using organic acid for antifreeze?
Recently, problems have been reported concerning the use of antifreeze mixtures using organic acid technology (OAT). OAT was introduced in the mid-1990s and the products are biodegradable, recyclable, do not contain either silicates or phosphates and are designed to be longer lasting.
Is it OK to use old coolant and antifreeze?
It’s also not a problem to use an old jug of coolant/ antifreeze when it’s time to flush and refill your radiator. Both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are dangerous chemicals, and worst of all, they have a somewhat sweet taste that can make them appealing to children or pets.
How long can antifreeze stay on the shelf?
The chemical ingredients in antifreeze/coolant are quite stable and virtually never degrade. This means that the commercial product you’ve purchased can really sit your shelf almost indefinitely without ever going bad—provided, of course, that you keep the container sealed against dirt and other contaminants.
Which is the best antifreeze for a truck?
The IAT has a well-known green color, and it is one of the most old-school antifreeze types out there. For the most part, IAT is used by older vehicles from the 90s and before. It is also a common antifreeze type inside trucks and bigger, stronger vehicles.
What kind of antifreeze do you use on a Jeep Wrangler?
^^^The one on the left is HOAT Antifreeze. It is used in the 2012 and prior! The one on the right is OAT Antifreeze. It is used in the 2013 through 2015 models. Do not use the wrong antifreeze, because they are not compatible!!!!!!!! You are best off, to just purchase from your Jeep Dealer.