Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal?

Posted By: BradH

Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/25/11 07:30 PM

I picked up some pre-mixed propylene glycol coolant used for liquid-cooled street bikes from a friend's motorcycle dealership that just went out of business. This stuff says it's legal for AMA road racing, but would it also be acceptable for NHRA / IHRA events? I don't know if the same cleanup issues that ethylene glycol has also applies to propylene glycol, although I've read they're very similar in chemical composition.

If this stuff isn't track legal, I'll just keep using 100% distilled water w/ Redline Water Wetter.

Posted By: dc426

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/25/11 07:55 PM

What kind is it out of curiosity? I've used Engine Ice in the past. I don't think it's "NHRA approved". The good thing about it is it's aluminum friendly and bio friendly. So I would say go ahead and use it.

Posted By: HEMIFRED

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/25/11 08:14 PM

been using Evans Coolant for over 10 years and never got questioned. at one time the Evans said it was an acccepted coolant not sure if any changes

Posted By: BBR

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/25/11 08:24 PM

Isn't Evans NPG the same stuff? Is it legal?

http://www.evanscooling.com/coolants/

looks like Evans is Propylene glycol

Posted By: Demoman

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/25/11 08:27 PM

What if a guy used Glycol from underfloor heating in your home.. It is Clear..

Posted By: BradH

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/25/11 08:35 PM

This stuff is sold by Liquid Performance and is packaged as their street bike coolant, although they also have a similar product labeled as a "race" coolant. I can't find anything for product reviews, but at a blow-out price of $3 / 64 oz container (and I bought the last 12 the shop had on the shelf), I figured I could afford to pick it up, even if it was just helping out my friend to get rid of inventory before closing the doors for the last time the next day.

Posted By: Dap

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/26/11 02:41 AM

I the Evans coolant on Freds recomendation years ago and I have had no issues. When they ask me if I have anti-freeze in the car I just tell them that there is no ethylene glycol in the car

I did contact the tech guys at E-town about it and they were not familiar with the stuff. They did say as long as it does not clean up like anti-freeze it would be ok. The stuff will dry on your hand with no residue.

Posted By: 6440nssa

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/26/11 04:52 AM

Way do you need coolent in a race engine?

Posted By: HEMIFRED

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/26/11 06:17 AM

Quote:

Way do you need coolent in a race engine?

in my case first used in my GN Buick.with no water in my system there is also no air pockets that was blocking cooling.that way the system performs at 100% as designed

it does not boil until 370 degrees. I run a zero or 7 lb cap. IT never a boils over, cools faster than water alone. to start with your system must be 100% water free and in many cases air bleeds installed in your water pump or area to purge any air from system. If you have an oil cooler that keeps oil at or below 200 degrees you can let the coolant temp rise to 250 and not have any reason to be concerned.No worrying to boil over at all.

Posted By: BradH

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/26/11 07:05 AM

Quote:

Way do you need coolent in a race engine?

It's a street car that runs mid-10s and is driven to & from the track.

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/26/11 07:46 AM

Thats what they spray on the wings of a plane for a de-icing, which is heated to a pretty good temp before application. It's quite a bit diff than your run of the mill ethylene Glycol (standard anti-freeze).
Its bound to be pretty safe. Its not as greasy either, I would imagine it would be more easy to clean up.... just a guess though

Posted By: HEMIFRED

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/26/11 04:00 PM

from Evans

Quote:

Fred��.if you are using our NPG, it should be allowable due to it being a propylene based coolant only. Now our NPG+ and NPG-R coolant are a blend of ethylene and propylene and will probably not be allowed due to the EG in it. The NPG comes in a white bottle and is a blueish/purple color. Our other coolants are clear to light amber in color.

Posted By: sg66mopar

Re: Propylene Glycol coolant - track legal? - 01/26/11 04:47 PM

Quote:

from Evans
Quote:

Fred��.if you are using our NPG, it should be allowable due to it being a propylene based coolant only. Now our NPG+ and NPG-R coolant are a blend of ethylene and propylene and will probably not be allowed due to the EG in it. The NPG comes in a white bottle and is a blueish/purple color. Our other coolants are clear to light amber in color.

I think that's some information they should provide on their website. I just did quite a bit of reading and didn't see anyplace that said the NPGR has ethylene glycol in it. I understand that not all racing organizations have the "no EG" rule but the racers still should be made aware.

Also, I see they make water pumps but didn't see one for Mopar. Bad on them!

All that said, I like the theory and might try some of the blue stuff.