Another Antifreeze-Coolant Thread

[Matt42]

I replaced the fan module in my 2004 today. Since I had to drain out coolant, and since the car has 50K miles on it, I figured I'd drain and refill the cooling system at the same time. I didn't want to even come close to a repeat of the expensive clogged radiator in my 2001.

There was no hurry to the project, so we went hunting HOAT coolant before we began.
Pep Boys: No HOAT, no bottles marked HOAT compatible. Some green stuff that said that it could be "mixed with any colour coolant" but didn't say what would or wouldn't happen (won't explode?) or that it could be used for a complete refill. Had orange Dex-style coolant that said it was good for aluminum. (Nutritious?) Name brands $17 to $20 per gallon for the stuff you add water to, $15 to $18 for the stuff that's pre-diluted. Some bargain.
Checker: Same as Pep Boys.
Auto Zone: Ditto.
NAPA: Didn't see HOAT, but must admit, forgot to ask at counter. We were there for some other silly reason.
Visited dealer. They wanted to know the year so they could determine if we needed the orange HOAT or the magenta HOAT. The 2004 calls for the magenta HOAT. They had it in stock! $26 per gallon for the kind you dilute with water. Had burned up enough gas on this silly mission. Car takes about 6 quarts of 50/50, so we bought a gallon of the magenta HOAT and a gallon of distilled water at the grocery for $1.50.

Got to work. Wife comments that the magenta coolant is a very nice colour. She reads label, and notes that the MoPar coolant is embittered so as to not be attractive to animals so they won't drink it. That's a good thing since we have eight cats. (I am very careful, and always wash away spills, though.)

Bottom line:
MoPar HOAT coolant antifreeze costs $6 per gallon more than the name brand of the Dex type. May prevent clogging a $200 radiator. Won't kill cats, armadillos, rabbits, beffels, dogs, swamp dragons, hamsters, or what-have-you. What is wrong with this picture? Have I wasted $6?

Footnote. DO NOT ask why we have eight cats. OK. Ask my wife, but do not ask me.

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by Matt42

Have I wasted $6?

Six bucks isn't that much to put out to make sure you have the right stuff (and protect the wildlife) and besides, you saved us all from running around and having to do the same search, so you can feel good about that.

Thanks.

[bobdole369]

NAPA: Didn't see HOAT, but must admit, forgot to ask at counter. We were there for some other silly reason.

Should have asked:

NAPAONLINE®

Zerex G-05 is available at Napa. At mine its right up at the counter. Napa is the only parts store that carries anything besides "universal" or Dexcool these days.

[Matt42]

Originally Posted by bobdole369

Should have asked:

NAPAONLINE®

Zerex G-05 is available at Napa. At mine its right up at the counter. Napa is the only parts store that carries anything besides "universal" or Dexcool these days.

Story of my life. The one place I don't ask for kumquats is the one place that has kumquats.

[Pele]

Napa Auto Parts, Behind the counter
Antifreeze, HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology)
Zerex Go5, made by Valvoline
Part Number: ZXGO51, $12.99 (not a bad deal when you compare to what the dealer charges)