ADVERTORIAL – soluble oil radiator coolant
Owners of older cars will be familiar with the bugbear of their vehicles overheating in the warmer months, making summer driving a finger-crossing exercise at times – especially in traffic! But was this the case when these classics were new? Well, yes.
Back then, the cooling systems for liquid-cooled engines were functional, but far from perfect. That meant summer boilovers were common, compounded by the fact that very few cooling systems were made with Australia’s extreme summer temperatures in mind.
These days, radiators and inhibitor-style coolants (that came into broad use in the 1970s), along with the greater use of alloys and plastics in cooling system construction, mean boilovers are virtually non-existent in modern cars. But what about classic and vintage machines – we’re talking cars from the 1960s and older? Well, better cooling is possible with the use of oil.
Oil and Water?
Granted, the idea of putting oil in your car’s cooling system seems counterintuitive. Water in the oil and vice versa – the dreaded ‘mayonnaise’ - used to be a sign of blown gaskets, warped heads, cracked blocks and impending engine doom!
However, soluble oil is an emulsion of oil and water that was common in the past and can be an effective cooling solution for classic cars today.
The benefits of soluble oil coolant in iron-block engines include lubricating qualities for water pumps, a higher boiling point (generally) than water and preventing corrosion on metal parts. Soluble oils were by no means perfect, but they were certainly better than straight water for cooling an engine and prolonging its life.
New Spin on an Old Idea
Soluble oil has been reborn for the new millennium in the form of ‘600 Vintage & Veteran Super Soluble Oil Radiator Coolant’ from cooling and lubrication specialists, Liquid Intelligence. Formulated specifically for vehicles from 1910 to 1960, Liquid Intelligence 600 is also ideal for trucks, tractors and liquid-cooled stationary engines from the same era. Suitable for both pressurised and non-pressurised cooling systems, the formula in Liquid Intelligence 600 combines old and new cooling technology, including an organic inhibitor (no glycol) for effective anti-boil protection. While less relevant for Australia, the formula has impressive anti-freeze properties, too.
The Six Benefits of Liquid Intelligence 600
Peter Maher from Liquid Intelligence explains the key benefits this product delivers.
- Improved Thermal Conductivity
Water pumps in early vehicles were never designed for Australia’s extreme summer temperatures, so have low flow rates and poor thermal conductivity, ie. the rate at which heat is transferred. Liquid Intelligence 600 counteracts this with a much higher (and thus more efficient) thermal conductivity, specifically 0.609W/m K. In comparison, glycol-based coolants are half as effective, at about 0.300W/m K.
- Lower Engine Temperatures
While the boiling point of Liquid Intelligence 600 is lower than glycol-based coolants, heat transfer is actually 20 per cent higher. That means your vintage or veteran vehicle’s engine runs at a lower overall temperature, so there’s less chance of overheating. More specifically, the heat rating of Liquid Intelligence 600 is approximately 4·2 joule/gram °C.
- Improved Viscosity
For coolant to effectively flow through a cooling system, viscosity is important – the lower the viscosity, the greater the velocity of flow, and thus, heat-transfer ability. Liquid Intelligence 600’s low viscosity (0.652 @ 40°C and 0.354 @ 85°C) maximises fluid velocity compared to past soluble oil formulas.
- Greatly Reduced Elecrolysis
The oil content in Liquid Intelligence 600 means it almost entirely eliminates electrolysis caused by coolant coming into contact with metal. As many vintage – and particularly veteran – engines combine anode (eg. iron and steel) and cathode (eg. brass and copper) metals, this is particularly important. With 134 times less chemical conductivity than water containing 5 per cent corrosion inhibitor, Liquid Intelligence 600 also has 75 times less conductivity than a 50:50 solution of glycol coolant and water.
- Reduced Engine Corrosion
The oil content means engine corrosion is greatly reduced compared to straight water. Independent testing has shown that Liquid Intelligence 600 meets or exceeds corrosion specifications set out by the Standards Association of Australia for Engine Cooling Systems Testing Methods (AS 2108.2004 Type B). Similar standards in Japan, the USA and UK means Liquid Intelligence 600 is just as effective in 1910-1960 cars manufactured in those countries.
- Cleaner and Greener
Liquid Intelligence 600 has a low toxicity and is environmentally friendly. While few engine coolant and lubrication products are 100 per cent ‘green’, Liquid Intelligence 600 has been classified as non-dangerous, according to WHS regulations and the local ADG (Australian Dangerous Goods) code equivalent, so it’s considered non-toxic for humans and animals.
Made in Australia, Liquid Intelligence 600 Vintage & Veteran Super Soluble Oil Radiator Coolant is available exclusively from Liquid Intelligence. A 15-litre tub of 1:1 concentrate makes 30 litres of coolant.
See and Find Out More
For more information on Liquid Intelligence 600 and its beneficial properties for liquid-cooled vintage and veteran engines, Peter has produced a detailed video (scan the QR Code on this page to see it). In the video, he explains exactly how the product works and why you need it to prevent overheating and corrosion in your liquid-cooled 1910-1960 vehicle.
For more information on Liquid Intelligence 600, including its applications and a more thorough explanation of its beneficial properties for liquid-cooled vintage and veteran engines, check out the YouTube video HERE.
You can also contact Liquid Intelligence on 1800 441 163 (7AM to 7PM, seven days a week) with any enquiries. Most detailed questions can be lodged through the 'Contact' page on the Liquid Intelligence website liquidintelligence.com.au
