To avoid the need for a head gasket repair, maintain the coolant system

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Cooling System failure is the leading cause of mechanical breakdowns on the highways. 

   ANTIFREEZE IS COMPOSED OF 3 MAIN INGREDIENTS – GLYCOL, CORROSION INHIBITORS & LUBRICANTS                                                             There are 2 main types of glycol, ethylene & propylene                                                                                     * The corrosion inhibitors are the first to break down in antifreeze.

                             WHY DO YOU NEED TO EXCHANGE ANTIFREEZE PERIODICALLY?

Most manufacturers recommend exchanging a vehicle’s standard (ethylene) antifreeze every two years or 30,000 miles, extended life (propylene) every 5 years or 100,000 miles to simultaneously renew corrosion inhibitors and remove accumulated contaminants. 

When antifreeze breaks down, the pH goes low and turns acidic. Antifreeze with a low pH causes acid damage.  With ethylene antifreeze, the optimal pH for antifreeze is from 9.5 to 10.  Any pH reading below 8.3 indicates the antifreeze is no longer protecting the engine and should be exchanged.

The corrosion resistant formulations built into propylene antifreezes, especially the Dex-Cool and G-05 long-life changes the equation. Those antifreezes are designed to have a lower pH than conventional ethylene antifreezes; 8.3 compared with 10. All antifreezes must be exchanged periodically.

Also as the coolant flows through the engine, a slight electrical charge, known as electrolysis occurs. Once coolant turns acidic, the charge is even stronger, and eats away at the metal surfaces faster, especially aluminum parts and aluminum radiators. A pH meter or test strips are and a good way to show a customer what condition the antifreeze is in.

         Tap water is full of chemicals & minerals. The minerals will cause scale to build up, especially in the radiator.                                        Distilled water can easily be added, and the proper antifreeze 50/50 ratio can be controlled.

                                                     Click to View simple antifreeze pH test  :22  

          * pH goes low, antifreeze becomes acidic, more stress is placed on the whole coolant system.                                                                                                         *Parts wear out & the engine runs hotter than normal.
          * Steel, aluminum, copper and brass will corrode, releasing particles throughout the coolant system.
          *  Rubber hoses and gaskets will deteriorate over time, adding more gunk, scale, and mineral deposits into the cooling system.

    ** WHEN A COOLANT EXCHANGE IS NOT ENOUGH, SOMETIMES A RECIRCULATING FLUSH IS REQUIRED **

For coolant systems that have not been exchanged at proper intervals, large amounts of metal corrosion, minerals, & gunk accumulate.
Add a flushing agent, perform a recirculating flush to break loose the sediments and sludge, then flush out with the Top Hose System.                      

Some signs of a coolant system in need of a recirculating flush:                                                                                                                                              * An engine is running hotter than normal.                                                                                                                                                                                    * Gunk or rust is floating in the overflow tank or radiator.                                                                                                                                                       * A vehicle is well warmed up, and only cold air comes out after turning the heater on.

                                       How did all that gunk get into to the radiator, passages, and heater core?                                                                      The antifreeze broke down & wasn’t exchanged in time.

Proper cooling system maintenance is very critical for modern engines which utilize more aluminum. Aluminum has a very high corrosion potential. Poor aluminum corrosion inhibition will cause the dissolution of aluminum, weakening the cooling system walls and water pump casing, also weakening the head gasket mating surfaces.                                                                                                   NEVER MIX ETHYLENE WITH PROPYLENE ANTIFREEZE