Coolant is an essential tool for engine maintenance. In a diesel engine, one-third of the energy produced is removed by engine coolant. Without coolant, your engine would overheat, leading to oil degradation and engine damage. That’s why coolant is so essential because it helps protect the engine, especially the radiator of the engine. Without this crucial solution, overheating is inevitable. But what type of coolant is best? In the coolant world, there rages a great debate over nitrite or nitrite-free coolant.

CAB is the problem
In the past decade, equipment manufacturers have started to build aluminum radiators for heavy-duty equipment. Aluminum is lighter and works effectively for this type of machinery. But during manufacturing, they use controlled atmospheric brazing or CAB to join the aluminum pieces together. The CAB process is highly effective but creates a coating on the brazed aluminum. This coating creates a protective layer that, over time, interacts with the air in a process called passivation to create a protective coating. This coating offers excellent protection for the outside of the aluminum radiator.

But on the inside of the aluminum radiator, where the metal was not exposed to CAB during the manufacturing process, this passivation process doesn’t occur. So the protective coating doesn’t form, which can be a big problem when you add coolant to your radiator. Many coolants contain nitrites, and when the nitrites in the coolant touch the unprotected metal, there is an adverse chemical reaction that can lead to the breakdown of the coolant and the development of precipitants in the liquid. Over time, this degradation will begin to clog up the system and affect the effectiveness of the coolant and the radiator.

Is nitrite-free coolant the answer?
The simple solution to this problem is to stop using coolants that contain nitrites. They decided to do that in Europe, and OEMs began recommending nitrite coolants. But here in North America, it wasn’t that simple. Coolants containing nitrites also provide extra protection against corrosion and cavitation—many operators like dual protection, especially in areas with severe temperature changes from winter to summer. So to combat the effects of the nitrites on the inside of the aluminum radiator, operators and mechanics also use an aluminum conditioner that passivates the metal inside and reduces the adverse reaction. With this added resource, they get the benefits of a nitrite coolant without risking damage to the radiator or the degradation of their coolant.

Which coolant should you choose?
The debate between nitrite and nitrite-free coolants isn’t cut and dry. Ultimately it depends on the type of engine you have, the protection you need, and the temperatures you use your equipment in. Our partners at Chevron know that there is a need for both types of coolants, so they’ve created two coolant products for heavy-duty equipment operators to choose from.

Delo® ELC Advanced Antifreeze/Coolant 50/50
The Delo® ELC Advanced Antifreeze/Coolant was launched in 2019 as a nitrite option for heavy-duty operators. This product has some unique features. It contains a patented formula that offers protection from the adverse reaction inside the radiator when the coolant contains nitrites—using ethylene glycol-based NOAT (Nitrited Organic Additive Technology), which stops the degradation of the coolant and the formation of precipitation that occurs. Because of the patented formulation, you also don’t need to add an aluminum conditioner to protect the inside of your radiator, saving you time and money. What are some of the other benefits of this product?

  • Aluminum protection: The unique formation of this product allows it to offer superior aluminum protection compared to similar coolants. It’s compatible with aluminum that’s undergone the CAB process and helps protect the engine in high temperatures.
  • Ph stability: The inhibitors used in this formation also help maintain the proper pH level for your coolant, which keeps it from degrading and helps to improve performance.
  • Eliminates the need for SCAs: With this product, you don’t need to worry about using supplemental coolant additives like an aluminum conditioner to prevent damage. This makes it much easier for mechanics and operators to maintain their engines and reduces additive costs!
  • Extended service life: This formula has a shelf life of 1,000,000 miles of on-road use or 20,000 hours of off-highway use. That’s a significant period of time!
  • Superior performance: Another great thing about this product is that it offers excellent coolant protection. Because it contains nitrites, you don’t have to worry about gel or deposit formation, which would typically occur and lead to overheating issues.
  • Highly compatible: Another great feature of this product is that it’s compatible with several different engine types. It works for heavy-duty engines, light-duty, stationary engines, and marine cooling systems.

Chevron Delo® XLC Antifreeze/Coolant
For those who still prefer a nitrite-free coolant, Chevron has you covered with the Delo® XLC Antifreeze/Coolant. This product contains no nitrites, so you don’t need to worry about any damage to your aluminum radiator or cooling system. It’s designed for use in heavy-duty or light-duty vehicles. Here are some of the benefits of this product.

  • Extended service life: This coolant is designed to go the distance. It can last for up to 1,000,000 miles or more!
  • Protection: Like all great Chevron products, it offers extensive protection from common issues like pitting, corrosion, and erosion.
  • Excellent coolant performance: This product is a great coolant and offers superior heat transfer capabilities. It also provides excellent temperature protection from extreme heat and cold, preventing engine overheating in the summer and freezing in the winter.
  • Excellent compatibility: You can use this coolant on almost any engine requiring a nitrite-free coolant. It can be used in heavy-duty, light-duty engines, stationary machinery, marine cooling systems, and recreational vehicles!

Choose the coolant that’s best for your needs
Whether you want a coolant with or without nitrite, Chevron has you covered. They offer superior coolant products that you can trust to protect your machinery and keep it in good working order. If you’re trying to decide which coolant product is best for your fleet or machinery needs, we can help. As your Chevron Lubricants Supplier, your Greg’s Petroleum Service representative can offer customized recommendations based on the type of equipment you have and how you operate it. Give us a call today and let’s talk.