Coolant

[Eeyore]

Hi All,

So topping up radiators ive always just put in clean water. But when doing a full drain and refilling what should be done? Is it just water with antifreeze? In which case what product and in what ratio? Or is it all this red and blue coolant malarky or is that only in more modern cars?

I know you can get all the waterless coolant but id rather just be able to fill up if any issues. So essentially im looking for the standard procedure and a recommended product.

Cheers
Sam

[welshpug]

from a fresh fill it doesn't matter what you use, you just should not mix colours.

read the back of the container, job done.

[Eeyore]

okay so colours are for all cars just choose one. Quick google suggests red is the longer lasting. Im just checking with Carl what he put in the rallye.

Whats the best way to drain gunky water out of a 1.4 and rallye? isnt there a bottom bleed on the bottom left of the rad? or is it only top left? best to disconnect a pipe if possible?

And if its all gunky refill, bleed and run for a bit and drop the water several times to try and flush it all out?

[powerandtorque]

Generally speaking, blue is 2 year and red/pink is 5 year.... but the colours are not an absolute guide.

As Mei says, follow what's on the bottle - typically it's somewhere between 30% and 50% concentration depending on how low temperature you want protection to.

[Toms306]

Should be a drain point bottom passenger side of rad... If it's an aftermarket rad they don't always have them though!

I've used rad flush with decent results before.

I tend to buy ready mixed pink coolant, saves trying to work out how much you've put in etc lol.

[welshpug]

pull the bottom hose off will drain most of the coolant out.

[cully]

i mixed mine with deionised water
using longlife pink stuff

[Piggy]

Yeah deionised water/purified makes a fair difference.
Pink/red I was using...but as it usually chucks it out before 2years Ive gone with blue recently!
I flush and then use dishwasher tablets with hot water for a proper clean.

[zx_volcane]

put the pink stuff in or put the blue stuff in, mix according to instructions on back

jobs a good 'un?

come on sam

[Eeyore]

I think the confusion comes from that my coolant has never been red or blue... Its always just been non-coloured... Even now that Carl has fitted a new rad I don't know what's in it and it doesn't even look coloured.

[cully]

taste it is it sweet bitter is there any in there?

[Piggy]

Coolant has never been "non coloured"

[Toms306]

There was barely any left in the Rallye when you got it... We just used plain water if you remember (I'm amazed it never froze thinking about it now!). Carl may have used the green stuff which looks clear, not sure if that's OE Peugeot but I've seen it in a couple of Pugs?

I've got an anti-freeze tester if you want to check the strength (and colour) next time I'm over?

[welshpug]

o.e pug stuff in the older ones is a Strong blue, newer is Pink/orange.

[Toms306]

Fair enough, not sure where the green comes from then!

[maxaret]

Some old anti freeze was green (long time ago LOL)
There used to be a yellow type that turned red if you had a HG leak - always thought that was a sensible idea

[Piggy]

I never think theres any point in the long life stuff... Its guna spew or leak everywhere much sooner than its 5yr liffespan