Weak antifreeze mix is causing corrosion
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• A report in the Federation of Engine Remanufacturer's newsletter has highlighted problems with corrosion in cylinder blocks and core plugs due to incorrect antifreeze dilution.
The problem is reported to be linked with the introduction a few years ago of propolene-glycol based antifreeze after the price of ethelene-glycol rose sharply due to a world shortage.
Propolene-glycol based antifreeze's dilution cannot be measured with the traditional hydrometer, it has to be carried out using an expensive refractometer.
Antifreeze contains a corrosion inhibition package but, if the concentration is too weak, the corrosion rate is higher than with ordinary water.
Manufacturers of antifreeze are aware of problems in the past and they recommend that coolant is changed every year. that the dilution is checked and kept at the correct level and that the two types of antifreeze are not mixed.