I've been using prestone in my personal cars, I've had a couple customers come to me with advance auto coolant to put in their cars. I've seen the same thing going on and just now caught on to a problem. The oem honda thermostats usually last about one year. The rubber in them decays and breaks off. Annual thermostat replacement doesn't seem right. At first I thought there was a PH problem with the coolant in one car, but I just realized everything seems to have a problem that I put regular green or prestone type coolant in.

Has anyone else notices this?

 

I've always used Prestone. One Honda of mine went 10 years without changing the thermostat and never had a problem with it. I replaced it because it was old but it worked fine.

 

I've noticed some types of coolant cause a lot of yellow-ish white crystalized crap to build up (no doubt a reaction to aluminium), but that is something I haven't heard of before.

 

OEM thermostat in a stock integra, one year old with prestone coolant

 

You're mixing it with distilled water?

 

No, mixing it dirty, nasty, chlorinated, fluoridated, city water. Maybe that was the problem??? And they tell people that crap is safe to drink.

 

If that wasn't sarcasm then yes, definately the problem. I don't even risk filtered water. For a buck fifty you can get a gallon of steam distilled and be sure it won't leave that crap behind. I'd clean and flush the system before refilling with a 50/50 of distilled water.

I wonder how many people's insides look like your thermostat..... No, wait, I don't wanna know.

 

I flushed it out alright. Must have ran 20 gallons of water through the system, only thing was that I did it with city water - didn't realize that could be the problem all alone at the time. So now there is a hint of city water from what I couldn't purge out of the system which is mixed with the honda coolant.

It is a proven fact that there are long term effects of drinking city water. Especially where the fluoride levels and chlorine levels are high.

 

Hello,
I am the technical manager for Prestone coolants. Our exended life coolant is very much compatible with Honda cooling systems and would not cause the rubber deterioration you are seeing on your t-stat. The statement "Prestone like coolants" in your post is puzzling. All green/yellow colored coolants are not the same chemistry. Some can be the older silicated coolants (these are the ones that cause the white "plating" on internal parts and others can be OAT technology. OAT stands for Organic Acid Technology, it is considered to be the best current cooling system technology today. Our extended life "all makes, all models coolant is OAT and is compatible with your vehicle. I would recommend using a good flushing agent on your system, run it with water, no t-stat, flush chemical for an hour, flush with clean water, reinstall T-stat and fill with coolant. Check all ground cables on the car for good clean connections to prevent electrolysis in your system, it could be the cause of your rubber deterioration.

 

Hi Mr. Manager. Spreading a little misinfo here arent we?? OAT may be considered the best by Prestone but it is not considered the best by the industry. IAT's, HOAT and Dex-Cool all have their ups and downs and are considered by thier respective OEM users to be the best coolant to use. To the OP coolant will not cause this deterioration in rubber, no matter which kind you use. You likely have a stray voltage problem or it could well have likely been the water you used. Distilled water is HIGHLY recommended for your vehicles cooling system.

 

I use 100% straight distilled water with water wetter. Since I live where it doesnt freeze (not often) plus car stays in garage I dont have a use for antifreeze coolant.

 

Antifreeze/Coolant does more than keep ur engine cool or from freezing over. IT also helps to prevent oxidation in your cooling system. Oxidation is rust that will occur through out ur engine and cooling system. There are also silicates which help protect and extend the life of any rubber in ur cooling system.