Saturn Coolant Supplement Pellets?

I may be mistaken but I believe these pelllets are a sludge preventor.. even though you may dran an fill your coolant as recommended as the engine gets older oils, dirt and other particles will get into the system.. These pellets may prevent the sludge from cloging the small lines leading to the radiator from the resovoir.

I had read a long while back they prevented the waterpump from weeping - I'm not a tech and do not know.

Here is the explanation from a Saturn mechanic from a post from five years ago:( snipped-for-privacy@exit109.com):

"The tablets you speak off are to lube the water pump and to seal any small leak that my come from the water pump. They have been used by GM for years and are an excellent product. Owners of some Saturns may notice a slight sludge in their coolant bottles right from day one, thats the residue of the tablets and is normal."

I know that my mechanic has a stash of these seal-tabs for use with Saturns and Cadillacs that need them.

Here is the explanation from a Saturn mechanic from a post from five years ago:( snipped-for-privacy@exit109.com):

"The tablets you speak off are to lube the water pump and to seal any small leak that my come from the water pump. They have been used by GM for years and are an excellent product. Owners of some Saturns may notice a slight sludge in their coolant bottles right from day one, thats the residue of the tablets and is normal."

I know that my mechanic has a stash of these seal-tabs for use with Saturns and Cadillacs that need them.

Here is the explanation from a Saturn mechanic from a post from five years ago:( snipped-for-privacy@exit109.com):

"The tablets you speak off are to lube the water pump and to seal any small leak that my come from the water pump. They have been used by GM for years and are an excellent product. Owners of some Saturns may notice a slight sludge in their coolant bottles right from day one, thats the residue of the tablets and is normal."

I know that my mechanic has a stash of these seal-tabs for use with Saturns and Cadillacs that need them.

Here is the explanation from a Saturn mechanic from a post from five years ago:( snipped-for-privacy@exit109.com):

"The tablets you speak off are to lube the water pump and to seal any small leak that my come from the water pump. They have been used by GM for years and are an excellent product. Owners of some Saturns may notice a slight sludge in their coolant bottles right from day one, thats the residue of the tablets and is normal."

I know that my mechanic has a stash of these seal-tabs for use with Saturns and Cadillacs that need them.

Here is the explanation from a Saturn mechanic from a post from five years ago:( snipped-for-privacy@exit109.com):

"The tablets you speak off are to lube the water pump and to seal any small leak that my come from the water pump. They have been used by GM for years and are an excellent product. Owners of some Saturns may notice a slight sludge in their coolant bottles right from day one, thats the residue of the tablets and is normal."

I know that my mechanic has a stash of these seal-tabs for use with Saturns and Cadillacs that need them.

Here is the explanation from a Saturn mechanic from a post from five years ago:( snipped-for-privacy@exit109.com):

"The tablets you speak off are to lube the water pump and to seal any small leak that my come from the water pump. They have been used by GM for years and are an excellent product. Owners of some Saturns may notice a slight sludge in their coolant bottles right from day one, thats the residue of the tablets and is normal."

I know that my mechanic has a stash of these seal-tabs for use with Saturns and Cadillacs that need them.

Jeeze...could you post that again...I didn't get to read it the first SIX TIMES!!!!

I wouldn't use them. They are actually ginger root used to seal any small leaks. They really sludge up the system. Just use palin old water pump lubricant if that's what you feel the pellets are for.

Thanks for the replies.

Went to the dealer and picked up the pellets (part number given was superceded by a new one and cost was $3.52 for two). Parts guy said they were to seal the system and were definitely a GOOD IDEA for our 1996 SL1 single cam engine. I crushed them and then dropped the powder into the reservoir.

I guess I kind of agree with TC below and do not understand why anything extra should be needed to seal the system and believe that whatever gets added will only hasten the demise of the radiator and cause blockage.

But, in the end I figured replacing a radiator is easier then replacing the head gasket...so put them in as the owner's manual stated.

Bob

I believe that some of these things are actually made from walnut shells.. GM puts them in a lot of cars at the factory to prevent small leaks/weeping around hose fittings and such. They are meant to seal only very small leaks, they're not like the "stop leak" stuff you usually see at auto parts stores, which apparently does tend to clog things up sometimes.

When I was young, we used black pepper as a quick, cheap, and available stop leak. Seemed to work as well as most.

Ken

leaks/weeping

small leaks,

whatever gets

blockage.

replacing

...and the turbomachinery company I work for used to use a walnut shell concoction to clean turbine engines. I remember having to stock it by the pallet load in the warehouse years ago...

leaks/weeping

You shouldn't have used Peak... it has phosphates in it (check your label to be sure). Saturn forbids phosphates, though I don't know why.

Interesting that the Peak bottle clearly states that it is Ethylene Glycol since this is the first ingredient listed. But, as you have pointed out, it also lists Dipotassium Phosphate (7758-11-4), water (7732-18-5), and "corrosion inhibitors, silicates, defoamer, and dyes."

I had assumed from the owner's manual that it would be either Ethylene Glycol based OR Phosphate based and that they were referring to the newer longer lasting formulations. Anyone familiar with this requirement? Again, this is our first Saturn and I would like to follow the manual. What is the harm in using Peak? Anyone else made this mistake and have a tale to tell? What antifreeze should be used (other than what is available from the dealer?)

Thanks for additional responses.

Bob

First you need to be sure that the coolant you use is PHOSPHATE FREE. Then be sure to add the conditioner tablets once a year. They do NOT cause sludge. I change my coolant every 2 years and my coolant system is as clean as the day the car was new.

The information I read claims the tablets condition the coolant that non-phosphate coolant lacks. It clearly is NOT a stop leak product.

Also I read that eventually, all coolants will be phosphate free thanks to the EPA.

James1549

Saturn uses Dexcool instead of conventional antifreeze. The base ingredient is the same but the anti-corrosion chemistry is different. It is a bad idea to mix the two.

Ed

Bob Shuman wrote: