Proper coolant for Westerbeke 30 B three

[therapy23]

One distributer says they just use NAPA. Didn't say which NAPA.

Torreson says they use Dexcool. I have heard lots of bad stuff about Dexcool.

The manual (which looks like it was printed in the 80s) says Zerex or Prestone. Not which type though.

Zerex Original or G-05?

I know one cannot tell what is in the stuff just by color anymore. And that it is sort of rocket science.

I know if the wrong coolant is used one might never know because it takes a long time to ruin the engine and one would easily have other problems to blame at 3000 hrs when it could have easily lasted to 8000.

Is there anybody that knows for sure? Is the engine mostly aluminum?

Supposedly it is built from a Mitsubishi L3E - whatever that is.

Zerex (Valvoline) has a neat video that does not answer my question.
http://www.valvoline.com/include/media/bumperrecut2.swf

The chart from thier website that mentions large diesels is now a "404 not found" so I can't link it. It, however, did not say anything about small diesels.

A filled out "contact us" form last week has brought no answer thus far.

??

[JimsCAL]

Any standard auto antifreeze should be fine. The basic stuff (i.e. not the "extra long life") will match the Prestone or Zerex or the 1980s.

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

Any standard auto antifreeze should be fine. The basic stuff (i.e. not the "extra long life") will match the Prestone or Zerex or the 1980s.

What about silicates and borates?

This is 2008 motor. It is just the manual that seems to be printed in the 80s.

[therapy23]

Still no answer from Zerex.

Mitsubishi answered and said to talk to Westerbeke . That person proved he doesn't know what thier motors need.

A local diesel shop that is a Westerbeke dealer too said they use NAPA's Nalkool. Aparently that is an additive.

Another diesel mechanic says to use Dexcool. It is now orange and the older pink stuff that caused all the problems is not out there anymore.

That is two votes for Dexcool. One for all the others.

A Mitsubishi tech support person said any ethelyne glycol based extended life coolant (LLC) would do. They have tested Texaco and Delco. No silicates or borates.

So I guess the G0-5 would be OK.

Anybody?

Sheesh!