Whats the difference in brands of coolant?

[kendogg441]

At work, I can get green Quaker State coolant for free, out of a 55 gallon barrel we get it in. Is there any difference between that and any other green coolants?

 

[Ray H]

Yep. Marker dye color is NO LONGER a reliable indicator of antifreeze type. There are still green conventional silicated brews, but there are also green extended-life OAT brews with no silicate content at all. As a further example, GM DEX-COOL's OAT formula is dyed orange, but so is unrelated and different chemistry Mopar G-05's HOAT formula. Ironically the Mopar syrup is chemically identical to golden shower-yellow Ford G-O5 antifreeze and light amber Zerex G-05 antifreeze. Go figure. I have no idea what the composition of the bulk Quaker State antifreeze you have access to is or how old it is. (Conventional silicated antifreeze has a finite shelf life.)

 

[kendogg441]

well, is there any way for me to find out if it is a decent quality coolant or not?

 

[Kestas]

The MSDS sheet would be a start. You may get some clues there. Maybe Quaker State has something on their web site about their antifreeze.