keeping them running
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by Trevor Longcroft
The overall performance of anti-freeze--taken for granted by most people—is in fact of considerable importance, not least as a corrosion preventive. For several years some antifreeze manufacturers have produced a warm-season coolant additive to provide anticorrosion protection during the period when anti-freeze is drained off or diluted by topping-up. Now two companies have introduced combined anti-freeze and corrosion inhibiting fluid which in both cases is claimed to be formulated well in advance of the relevant British Standards. Shell's Shellsafe and Snowdrift Lubricants' Royal Snowdrift universal anti-freeze can therefore be used all the year round in petrol or diesel engines.
Corrosion within the cooling system can account for debris being circulated, causing blockages of the water jacket or radiator tubes and thus possibly overheating—with potentially costly results. Products of corrosion can also upset the balance of inhibitors in the anti-freeze, causing premature depletion and further corrosion..
Both the new fluids use the familiar ethylene glycol as the anti-freeze. Shellsafe is said to contain a corrosion inhibitor that neutralizes harmful acids and alkalis in cooling systems. Royal Snowdrift is claimed to incorporate metal de-activators which form a micro-thin film over all metal parts in the Cooling system to protect them against corrosion. In particular the de-activants are intended to halt electrolytic effects, caused by reaction between different metals exposed to the coolant.
Different concentrations of the new additives naturally give different degrees of protection against frost. Both producers suggest a dilution of 25 per cent with water 11 part additive to 3 parts water) for normal use. This provides protection down to about 47 degrees of frost.
The Royal Snowdrift fluid is made by a member of the Walkers (Century Oils) group; the Shellsafe is made by Shell-Mex and BP Ltd. Shell is going to offer the new product to the transport industry in the first instance—there will be limited availability initially, in amounts' from 45ga1 barrels to 1gal cans. Snowdrift is being sold in sizes which include 1 pint tins.
Addresses of manufacturers The address of lntertruck, given in connection with rear marker brackets in the Transport Servicing and Equipment section of the August 6 issue, was incorrect. It should have read Intertruck Ltd, Dewlands Industrial Estate, Dartford, Kent.
Details of the Hellermann Kabelrap methods of nylon binding also mentioned in this section are available from Heliermann Electric, Gatwick Road, Crawley, Sussex.