OEM Porsche Antifreeze/Coolant

[JimPDX]

Are there any after market brands of coolant that meet or exceed the Porsche brand coolant for the 99 C2. I was told by Sunset that there are no commercially available A/M coolants that meet Porsche specs. When I asked the Service Writer what those specs were he didn't have a clue (not surprising). Its like 14.00 a Quart! Jim

[1999Porsche911]

The Porsche antifreeze is a private label made by ELF. IMO (and this is what I do) you can use PEAK , Penzzoil or any other major brand long life antifreeze. You should be changing the coolant every 2 -3 years to be sure long life of the system.

I have changed mine twice on my current Porsche and use whatever brand is available at the time.

Edited January 6, 2005 by 1999Porsche911

[JimPDX]

Well, thats sort of what I thought but the way the P/people talk its as though you'll murder the car...

Thx...

[1999Porsche911]

There is nothing unique about the componants of the 996 cooling system. You are right though, some people feel compelled to use only Porsche parts, oils and other additives. I guess they just like spending money unnecessarily. Enough people must do so otherwise the Dealers would not private label these items.

[Loren]

If you are going to switch brands then be sure that you flush all the old out first. The Porsche (ELF) organic antifreeze does not react well with some other traditional antifreezes - that is it turns the mixture into "jello".

So, I think the keys here are antifreeze thats rated for alloy engines and don't mix types.

[djantlive]

Since P antifreeze is supposed to last a lifetime, I wouldn't change it if you want to save money. If you do change it, $50 of antifreeze isn't gonna hurt anyone's wallet here.

[Tool Pants]

The coolant container use to have Elf on it then Arteco, due to name change. Now the only name on it is Porsche.

Arteco is a joint venture b/w Texaco and the euro chemical company Elf that was entered into in 1998 according to their website. I asked US Chevron/Texaco several years ago if I could buy an equal product at any normal car parts place. Chevron contaced europe. Havoline and Chevron Dex-Cool extended life meets the requirements of Porsche but "are not yet approved." This is the email response I received.

"Subject: RE: Coolant for Porsche Boxster

Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 06:07:47 -0700

From: "Dusing, William N"

To: "'Jeff Lopez'"

Jeff,

The ChevronTexaco products in the US that meet the performance requirements of Porsche, but not yet approved are as follows:

Havoline® DEX-COOL® Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant

Chevron DEX-COOL® Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

Bill"

Like Porsche is ever going to approve something something I can buy at any parts place for a fraction of the cost.

I am on one of the UK Boxster boards. In the UK Mobil sells a coolant approved by Porsche. Do not think Mobil sells coolant in the US. Guess Mobil got the approval because they already pay Porsche for the Mobil 1 sticker under the rear lid. :rolleyes:

[ebaker]

I believe G05 antifreeze is similar to the Porsche/Audi G12. A 996 turbo holds 6 gallons so a change with the official porsche coolant will be expensive.

Edited January 9, 2005 by ebaker

[1999Porsche911]

There is no such thing as lifetime antifreeze. The fluid may last a lifetime, but not the **** in the coolin. system. Changing it every 3 years of so is highly recommended to flush out al the crap.

[frenchy]

The dealer had to "flush" the cooling system when they put my replacement engine in my boxster. The bill showed that they've used 10 "unit" (liter/quart?) of that penzotine....

[jsoto]

Can I mix Pentosin coolant with the original Porsche coolant?

[996noob]

If you are going to switch brands then be sure that you flush all the old out first. The Porsche (ELF) organic antifreeze does not react well with some other traditional antifreezes - that is it turns the mixture into "jello".

So, I think the keys here are antifreeze thats rated for alloy engines and don't mix types.

I went through all the old threads but could not completely conclude if Elf/Porsche original coolant is the same as VW/Audi G12 coolant. Getting G12 would be convenient for me, but I want original, and I know that is Elf. If I can somehow get a confirmation that the Elf coolant is also labelled as VW/Audi G12, then that would be really easy for me to get.

Thanks!

[Orient Express]

I use the VW G12 coolant in my 996 and Audi and VW with no problems at all. The Texaco Dex-Cool is another alternative.

[JFP in PA]

If you are going to switch brands then be sure that you flush all the old out first. The Porsche (ELF) organic antifreeze does not react well with some other traditional antifreezes - that is it turns the mixture into "jello".

So, I think the keys here are antifreeze thats rated for alloy engines and don't mix types.

+1 On Loren's comments. We have had more than one M96 flat bedded in with cooling systems full of partially gelled crud as the result of mixing coolants. Not all brands seem to do it, but when it happens, be prepared for hours of work to clear the system, or paying a lot of $ to have a shop do it. We handle these on a strict "time and materials" pricing basis because you cannot estimate the time needed.

Once you see the bill for trying to save some money on antifreeze, the OEM coolant at $24 a gallon is a real bargin..............

[996noob]

I use the VW G12 coolant in my 996 and Audi and VW with no problems at all. The Texaco Dex-Cool is another alternative.

We don't have Dex-Cool here, but we have Caltex Delo over here https://cglapps.chevron.com/msdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=300620&docFormat=PDF . Not sure if thei is ok?

[juniinc]

Stay away from that Dex-cool stuff!

[torontoworker]

FYI: Just bought a 1L bottle of 'Porsche' brand coolant and the parts guy says that Porsche now use ONE coolant for all models of cars and SUV's. They used to sell 'pink' color and there was a greenish and the *new* coolant is a pee colored yellowish. It can be mixed in with any of the older Porsche brands.

[juniinc]

G-05 is yellow,,,

maybe they finally changed it.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?/topic/31707-cracked-cylinder-head/page__p__171894__fromsearch__1entry171894

[amcleod1]

After researching I was able to determine that the Porsche brand coolant is actually ELF Glacelf Supra Anti-Freeze. Links to sites that support this conclusion are listed at bottom of this post.

Links for ELF Glacelf Supra Anti-Freeze

Data Sheet: http://www.lubadmin.com/upload/produit/FichePDF/lang_1/127.pdf

http://www.bombaydigital.com/arenared/1998/10/29/1

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=182

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=15103

For those in Australia you can source ELF Glacelf Supra Anti-Freeze through www.elfoil.com.au. Price was A$5.00/litre (as at Oct/2009). Make sure it’s the pink organic product. I bought 15 x 1litre containers.

[0100]

On 4/9/2010 at 9:05 AM, torontoworker said:

FYI: Just bought a 1L bottle of 'Porsche' brand coolant and the parts guy says that Porsche now use ONE coolant for all models of cars and SUV's. They used to sell 'pink' color and there was a greenish and the *new* coolant is a pee colored yellowish. It can be mixed in with any of the older Porsche brands.

It's a yellowish color?

Confused because this says it's a red color???? http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/00004330105.html?Category_Code=996WaterCooling

[Loren]

FYI: Just bought a 1L bottle of 'Porsche' brand coolant and the parts guy says that Porsche now use ONE coolant for all models of cars and SUV's. They used to sell 'pink' color and there was a greenish and the *new* coolant is a pee colored yellowish. It can be mixed in with any of the older Porsche brands.

It's a yellowish color?

Confused because this says it's a red color???? http://www.suncoastp...996WaterCooling

(image courtesy Tool Pants)

[0100]

So is yellow the most recent stuff?

What is the red then, in regards to the coolant color timeline lol?

or is red the pink?

Sorry really confused on this.

Edited June 28, 2010 by 0100

[Loren]

Yes, the yellow can look greenish in the right light and the pink might look red in the right light too.

Pink is the latest and they can be mixed.

[0100]

Ok cool thanks!

[RD996]

Just had my Tiptronic serviced along with a new water pump. Is the fluid in this picture consistent with the original (or new) Coolant. This is a new (to me) 99 C2 tip and I hadn't noticed the color in the reservoir until yesterday. It doesn't feel like oil when I dip my finger into it.

Edited December 19, 2013 by RD996