Using Soluble Oil In Cooling Systems
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Using Soluble Oil In Cooling Systems
I have used soluble oil in my cooling systems ever since the late 1960's when I was building engines for a living. The commercial radiator shop I was dealing with recommended it as did Caterpillar and Cummins because it drastically reduces the "cavitation erosion" that destroys the cylinder liners in turbocharged diesel engines. You have heard it referred to as a "water wetter" when its simply soluble oil that breaks water molecules apart (like any detergent will do). The hard deposits that form on the discharge ends of brass radiator tubes is the result of the lead solder being exposed to hot antifreeze and soluble oil prevents those hard deposits from forming; keeping the cooling system rust-free and clean. Soluble oil is available in pints, quarts, and gallons and isn't very expensive. The standard mixing ratio is one ounce per gallon so a little goes a long way.
Do any of you also use soluble oil in your C3's?
Do any of you also use soluble oil in your C3's?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
I do not, since modern anti-freeze already includes that. I do know people that would buy the lube/rejuvenator (same thing) and add to old antifreeze and recharge it though...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
As copper/brass radiators using lead solder and antifreeze are still being used in a lot of vehicles the problem of hard deposits forming on the discharge ends of the radiator tubes still exists. If soluble oil is used from the beginning those deposits won't form.
Back in the 1950's when 180 degree thermostats were common the problem of hard deposits forming wasn't much of an issue. But once the use of 195 and 205 degree thermostats and 2-tube radiators began being used the problem suddenly became a BIG problem as radiators were plugging in as little as 2 years.
Its the increased heat that causes the chemical reaction between the lead in radiators and antifreeze that forms the hard deposits.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
lead solder hasn't been used in years. ROHS compliance is the law. I doubt there's all that many original radiators still in use this long that haven't been re-cored or replaced...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
I work in the marine industry. We used to use Soluble Oil in our Cooling systems. We don't anymore. We switched to other products in the 80's and 90's one of which was called NowCool. When we did we got Rust out of our systems we never even knew we had. Most modern engine manufactures have a specific blend of coolant to maintain any warranty. Caterpillar even make there own coolant. Its not an additive but the entire mix all made up. It is available in 5 Gal Buckets 50 Gal Drums or 300 Gal Containers.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I wasn't aware of that. If lead-based solder isn't being use any more what alloy has replaced it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I work in the marine industry. We used to use Soluble Oil in our Cooling systems. We don't anymore. We switched to other products in the 80's and 90's one of which was called NowCool. When we did we got Rust out of our systems we never even knew we had. Most modern engine manufactures have a specific blend of coolant to maintain any warranty. Caterpillar even make there own coolant. Its not an additive but the entire mix all made up. It is available in 5 Gal Buckets 50 Gal Drums or 300 Gal Containers.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
One of our Engines holds 400 Gals Jacket Water and 1600 gals on the Intercooler side. We have 3 of these Engines. I guess I should of known that it came in 1 Gal jugs, we could form a bucket brigade.