shell rotella ultra ELC suerseded?

The only reason they recalled the coolant was because it did not have enough stuff to keep dogs from drinking it. Function is completely unaffected. NF just means Nitrite Free, which Ultra already is.

Here is Shell's actual recall on coolant products produced before about March 2016. Affected just about all of their coolants.

https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/products/shell-rotella-ultra-elc-product-return.html

Here is Shell's take on their coolants. Sounds like NF is actually superior to Ultra for our heavy duty engines with wet liners.

https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/media/2015/nitrate-free-elc.html

 

Based on this page I'd say Ultra was dropped and I guess NF does replace it. Interesting though the data on Ultra said it was nitrate free too so I wonder what the difference really is? Ultra had a much longer list of engine makers that approved of it. When both were still listed Ultra and NF had parallel specs and all other products were rated lower.

https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/products/lubricants-heavy-duty-products/antifreeze-coolant.html

 

Steve- Not yet. Aaron and John rebuilt the AC compressor, replaced the sump piece that has the drain, did a 5 year with all fluids, and the worst was installing the factory CF trim on the seats. Much more involved on the CF trim than we thought. I should owe him a pretty piece of change, even though the belt change was just a lock and swap since the cams were degreed last time. Both I and the 575M will miss Aaron and John. Not sure how good the service in Nashville will be, and that is an hour south of here.

Brian- If you use that same web site and choose Canada as your country instead of the US, they still show Ultra as available. May just be NLA in the US, or Canada is not as worried about dogs as the US.

 

The recall was 4 years ago. Hard to believe thats the issue. I wonder if it ran afoul of some new enviro rule for its contents, or possibly a new spec for an engine supplier. . Sounds like NF is a pretty parallel product anyway. I was looking at the product line, seems like not that long ago and NF never came up on my radar for some reason. Its well rated but so far the prices I see are pretty spendy.

 

Funny, their URL says nitrate free when they meant nitrite free (I think). Quite a difference chemically. From what I have read, the nitrite free ELCs and their OATs are adversely affected by any nitrite mixed with them. Shell also has nitrited ELCs with Hybrid OATs and one that needs SCAs at regular intervals. Even Zerex G05 has nitrited HOATs now, so not the same as the old G05, according to their 2020 spec sheet. Might last a bit longer so my 2 year interval will really be OK.

Sounds like the ELC NF will work fine in our Ferraris and it is a pretty color. Price is not too big a deal to an owner who pays relatively a lot more to have a pro change the coolant. I can see where it would be a disadvantage to a shop, though.

 

Does this change any of the recommendations for this in our cars ?

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No, it just means Valvoline has updated Zerex G05 with modern nitrited HOAT additives that still prevent cavitation corrosion. See spec sheet attached.

 

I am a little confused.. why did g05 change and what did they change?

How does the new shell formula compare to old and is it the best choice for our cars ?

Thanks in advance

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G05 changed so the additives do not wear out in 2 years like the previous non-Hybrid Organic Acid Technology additive package. Should be even better now. Shell Rotella Ultra and NF should work fine too for up to 6 years if you are brave enough. I will still change the G05 at two year intervals because I am a dinosaur.

 

In reality we wind up draining it out before then for some reason. I do feel comfortable doing it at five which is when we are doing belts anyway. Caps still only last 1 or 2 years max.

 

Antifreeze is under the microscope by EPA etc and engine manufacturers demand changes too.

 

Given the changes what is your call on which you favor now

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I'm still going to use the Shell product. Which ever of the 2 I can get most easily. I am just not seeing a functional difference.

 

Brian- Funny, because I have had the same radiator cap since I bought her nearly 12 years ago. I bought two spares, but so far have not had to use them. There must be good ones and bad ones, just like Ferrari bronze valve guides.

 

On all the cars I service at most I get 2 years out of them. Makes no difference where I get them They are made by 2 or 3 companies and it seems to make no difference what brand.

 

Ask shell! Some coolants are not compat. Coolant of the same class generally are. FWIW I'm a G05 user. It is cheap and available and has anti-cavitation additives. There have been a few 550's with cavitation issues in the liners but that might have been caused by other issues unlike the inherent cavitation we see in diesel motors. Another reason for G05 is I can stock 1 coolant and use in my diesel truck too.

 

FBB- They just (2020) updated G05, too, to include HOATs with nitrites. Works even better.

 

Years ago, my indie convinced me to switch from DexCool (OAT) in the Astons to GO5 due to the potential for corrosion. He cited a number of examples of OAT issues, along with the long success of HOAT in Mercedes cooling systems. When it came time for the 550 change, we went with GO5 as well. We were doing changes every two years, so good to hear that the potetial for longer change intervals is possible. I now stock it for all of my cars - except for the Pantera, which has a brass radiator that apparently prefers traditional "green" antifreeze along with more frequent changes.

 

I would stick with the two-year change interval. The nitrites in G05 HOATs still wear out pretty quickly.

 

Comma lists G05 for vans and trucks.
https://www.commaoil.com/passenger-vehicles/products/view/354

 

We are talking about Zerex G05 by Valvoline. Have never heard of Comma and their data sheet is not too informative.


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As far as I know different Gxx's are kind of generic standard. Each different number meets some specific requirements. G05 from Shell and Comma should have similar specs and work in similar setups. So I just find it surprising Comma G05 is for commercial vehicles. Their G48 is used in BMW E60 M5 V10 etc. which are probaly closer to same period Ferrari engines.