Antifreeze after applying Steel Seal

[GaynorC]

Hi Everyone,

I have recently applied emergency fix to Toyota Estima 2000 import using Steel Seal. Previous antifreeze red OAT - am not able to use this with Steel Seal, would using blue ethelyne glycol as recommended by Steel Seal be a problem do you think. Currently radiator is water only? Any advice greatly appreciated. I would like to keep my beloved Estima going a while longer.

Many thanks,

 

Gaynor

[Paulscarbs]

Hello Gaynor,

it is my understanding that you can use standard blue antifreeze so long as the original red is flushed out first. Given the hassle, might it not be more beneficial to rectify the source of the coolant leak?

After a re-read I note you only have water in there currently.

[GaynorC]

Hi Paul,

Thank you so much for getting back to me and the advice. Yes it is my head gasket I believe but system is already flushed and the miracle that is Steel Seal seems to have done what it says on the bottle. So far am mighty impressed.

Thanks again.

 

Gaynor

[Dmitri_]

Hello Gyanor

After long searching about using the Toyota red antifreeze  on a car patched with Steel Seal, I find your  post. You mention  that  Toyota red coolant cannot be used on a car with the patch.  From my "try and see" experience, I am in favour to extend  this  on a ready to use 50/50 premixture of Toyota SLLC pink coolant.  I have impression that the Toyota SLLC pink coolant "eats” (etches?) somehow the Steel Seal patch  so as it lasts for a shorter time as compared with the use of IAT coolants . Could you please share  details how do you to come to the point that red Toyota coolant should not be used after application of Steel Seal ? 

[JohnGW]

I am concerned for Gaynor with just water in there. That can be corrosive to aluminium parts and steel. The coolant should have a corrosion inhibitor in there soon as.

[Dmitri_]

Hello John,

Usually one keeps water (with steel seal) for a few weeks and after flushes and  switches to coolant. Question is which collant to use?  

[JohnGW]

Is steel seal sodium silicate (water glass) ?

[Dmitri_]

Yes sodium silicate or liquid glass, but not only. I attached  its SDS from which it also contains : Sodium silicate (Silicic Acid, Sodium Salt) 10-20%, Potassium silicate 6-10% Ethylene Glycol 6-12% Sodium (trihydroxysilyl) Propylmethylphosphonate 0.3-0.8%. 

 

 

 

Steel-Seal-SDS-2020.pdf

[JohnGW]

Strange that it contains ethylene glycol, antifreeze yet says it should not be used. Only ever used it as a last resort and in the sodium silicate form.

[Dmitri_]

The issue with antifreeze is linked to additives. I just find in one post the Sebacic Acid being spotted in the pink coolant composition . Here we go (Ref: https://www.toyotaofnorthcharlotte.com/service/what-coolant-does-toyota-use/#:~:text=When it comes to the,(111-20-6)😞

Toyota Pink Super Long Life Coolant. 

• Water (7732-18-5)
• Ethylene Glycol (107-21-1)
• Diethylene Glycol (111-20-6)
• Sebacic Acid (111-20-6)
• Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3)

Toyota Red Coolant Long Life. 

• Ethylene Glycol (107-21-1)
• Diethylene Glycol (111-46-6)
• Water (7732-18-5)
• Organic Acid Salt (532-32-1)
• Hydrated Inorganic Salt (1310-58-3)

From  this,  i think the Sebacic Acid (added for stabilising the pH) may potentially be responsible for the short life of Steal Seal patch. This has to be yet  studied  and confirmed or disproved yet. And  with this coolant composition comparison,  I am getting extremely interested to learn  why Gaynor said from the beginning that  the red Toyota  coolant could not be used neither after the Steel Seal patch. 

[Dmitri_]

Hello to everyone who is interested in the topic

After all I made a few tests of Steel Seal with different coolants . The tests are quite a bit technical and slightly into chemistry . Therefore I choose to post  them on the BobIsTheOilGuy.com forum. If you are interested in further readings on the topic, you may find the description of tests here  :  https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/steel-seal-what-do-we-know-to-elaborated-best-application-approach.386288/#post-7027225 

[Stephen29]

For a 23 year old vehicle, its worth trying Steel Seal etc (as you have) and likely it will keep the vehicle usable for another few years (may need re-doing occasionally)
As for which antifreeze to use, well Demitri's post and article above is pretty extensive.

In my opinion, if your worried about red, then flush and use simple blue
as it will work 'just as good' within the caveat of it is an old low value vehicle anyway.

Edit - just noticed the original post was from 3 years ago, but still interesting and relevant.