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Anti-freeze/coolant shelf life?

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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 07:28 PM
  #1  
clem's Avatar
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Anti-freeze/coolant shelf life?

Just wondered if anyone knows this? I just found an unopened container of Prestone hiding on a shelf in my Garage. It could be 12-14 years old.

Thanks.
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 08:16 PM
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Doctorr's Avatar
Ricer is Nicer.....
 
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From: Canada.
Old......

I wouldn't hesitate to use, say, 3 year-old antifreeze from a sealed container, but anything over 10 is probably not worth the risk ....particularly in a warranteed vehicle.

Someone elses opinion.....
.
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doc
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 08:30 PM
  #3  
clem's Avatar
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From: San Diego
Thanks Doctorr,

Seems a shame to waste it. Oh well, don't want to mess up my beautiful new "8".
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 10:18 PM
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One of my friends used to work at DOW making ethalene glycol (Ft. Sask plant). He advised me it lasts 3 years or so, but actually starts breaking down (slowly) as soon as it's made. Change every 2 years in the car. He said it degrades with time, whether or not it's in an engine. It degrades faster in an engine, and the corrosion inhibitors get used up.
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 11:02 PM
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Felix the Wankel!
 
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From: San Francisco East Bay
Okay, I can't leave this one alone—someone’s going to ask, so I’ll do it So the next question is what about the shelf life of that 100K mile Orange antifreeze? I've got a 4-year-old jug of the stuff down in the garage.
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Old Aug 7, 2004 | 05:55 AM
  #6  
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From: DC Metro Area, USA
Originally Posted by clem
Just wondered if anyone knows this? I just found an unopened container of Prestone hiding on a shelf in my Garage. ..........
Prestone:
"Q: What is the shelf life of Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant?
A: If the product is still in the original sealed container then it has a shelf life of many years. If the product has been opened and has not been diluted with water then it also has a shelf life of many years."


18 months from Havoline:
"The primary limiting factor in the shelf life of a coolant is silicate instability. Since silicate will eventually polymerize to silicate gel, all traditional coolants have a shelf life of about 18 months. Havoline Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant DEX-COOL is silicate-free and therefore can be stored for at least 8 years without a problem, provided the integrity of the container is maintained."

rx8cited
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Old Aug 7, 2004 | 10:18 PM
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Felix the Wankel!
 
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From: San Francisco East Bay
rx8cited,

Thanks for the info.

Last edited by RotaMotion; Aug 29, 2004 at 03:29 PM.
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