Replacing engine coolant.

[chip]

In response to the impending artic conditions, I bought an antifreeze tester.
On testing I found my coolants freeze protection was minimal giving a reading of -7c (one floating disk). Now I am in two minds wether to try to top up with concentrated anti freeze somehow without removing hoses if possible or going all out and draining down and refilling the system.

How hard is this, and what do you do with the 10 litres (according to my manual) of old coolant.

[Monaro Pete]

To do a total new for old isn't that hard & as I found air locks aren't a problem (wish my HSV was so easy )

For a quick fix you could just lose off the bottom hose on the rad & capture what came out, say if you got four litres you could top up with four litres of neat.
I just chuck my old coolant on the garden, but then I don't care for gardening

[Banshee]

Bottom hose off the rad is easiest I find, drain it all into a few buckets.

Then re-fill with the prescribed amount in the manual, don't pay attention to the expansion tank level at first as you will have a few air locks in there to start with. I would get as much in as you can, start the car and let it tick over until up to temperature leaving the radiator cap off, the air will rise through the system and escape via there

When you're about up to capacity, re-fit the radiator cap and then fill to the max level on the expansion tank, take it for a little run and then check the level again.

[macabethiel]

Almost every vehicle that I have ever owned with a drain tap fitted have not worked as they just block up.

I loosen the bottom hose its easier !

[chip]

Thanks for the tips, have ordered 5l of anti freeze and 5l of deionised water so will give it a go when all arrives.

Also research suggest to either take old coolant to the tip or pour down the toilet but under no circumstances pour it down a drain as it will most likely end up in a local waterway where it could do harm to wild life.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by chip

Thanks for the tips, have ordered 5l of anti freeze and 5l of deionised water so will give it a go when all arrives.

Also research suggest to either take old coolant to the tip or pour down the toilet but under no circumstances pour it down a drain as it will most likely end up in a local waterway where it could do harm to wild life.

Local tip is your best bet mate, fair play for asking the question though as many would just pour down the drain, failing that I've stored oil, coolant, gearbox/diff fluids in separate 20l tubs before and when they get full just slipped my local garage a drink to dispose of it for me as they have proper collections for these materials

[perelaar]

Thing are better arranged here in Belgium then, we can bring this kind of stuff (oil, coolant, batteries, etc) to a recycling area for free - every town has one.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by perelaar

Thing are better arranged here in Belgium then, we can bring this kind of stuff (oil, coolant, batteries, etc) to a recycling area for free - every town has one.

No chance of that here mate, we can just about cope with cardboard and plastics

[elty001]

Originally Posted by Banshee

No chance of that here mate, we can just about cope with cardboard and plastics

got a recycling place near me that takes oils,antifreeze,tyres etc for free as long as its your personal waste

[Monaro Pete]

Originally Posted by elty001

got a recycling place near me that takes oils,antifreeze,tyres etc for free as long as its your personal waste

Is that Loscoe Elty?

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by elty001

got a recycling place near me that takes oils,antifreeze,tyres etc for free as long as its your personal waste

Wish there was somewhere like that near me, they told me that if I disposed of the tyres that were in my trailer that I'd be fined and barred from the site at my local "household recycling plant"

I then asked where I could dispose of them locally and was just told to hurry up and move because there were people waiting, I then asked to speak to the site manager and was advised "I am the site manager", took his name and said I'd be raising a complaint to which he laughed at me and told me "see if you get in here again"

I e-mailed the council and I've not seen him in there since dare not ask the other lads what happened in case they mob me for being "the snitch"

[Paultrol]

I just topped mine up with antifreeze last year till it got to -40 or -60 can't remember which.
Was told no point in replacing the whole lot.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by chip

In response to the impending artic conditions, I bought an antifreeze tester.
On testing I found my coolants freeze protection was minimal giving a reading of -7c (one floating disk). Now I am in two minds wether to try to top up with concentrated anti freeze somehow without removing hoses if possible or going all out and draining down and refilling the system.

How hard is this, and what do you do with the 10 litres (according to my manual) of old coolant.

BTW, use the Green stuff for the Terrano

[emjaybee]

Originally Posted by Banshee

Wish there was somewhere like that near me, they told me that if I disposed of the tyres that were in my trailer that I'd be fined and barred from the site at my local "household recycling plant"

I then asked where I could dispose of them locally and was just told to hurry up and move because there were people waiting, I then asked to speak to the site manager and was advised "I am the site manager", took his name and said I'd be raising a complaint to which he laughed at me and told me "see if you get in here again"

I e-mailed the council and I've not seen him in there since dare not ask the other lads what happened in case they mob me for being "the snitch"

So it was YOU that cost me my job !



Just kidding!

Bored!

[chip]

Originally Posted by Banshee

BTW, use the Green stuff for the Terrano

I used the Halfords website entering my make, model, year and engine size and it recommended its own brand oat silicate free antifreeze. Which I believe is the pink stuff as opposed to the green that contains silicate for older engines, I could be wrong.
I then went to my owners manual which just states antifreeze coolant ethylene glycol based.

So armed with this info I ordered 5l of comma xstream G30 as according to commas website blurb it is both OAT and ethylene glycol based.

http://www.commaoil.com/passenger-ve...ducts/view/351