Antifreeze Definitive Type

[jims-terrano]

Hi guys, have been smelling hot antifreeze on the project truck since it went back on the road but finally got the drips on the drive under the front.

So might as well do a total drain of the cooling system. Have we got a definitive type of antifreeze. Are they all simply identified by colour or is there more to ot.

Cheers

 

[macabethiel]

Ethylene Glycol for me !

Personally I like Ethylene Glycol based anti-freeze - one with corrosion inhibitors that is suitable for steel & aluminium engine components. Any decent branded make is good but I prefer to dilute it myself rather than pay extra for the water !

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/tech-articles/coolant-antifreeze.pdf

Link explains the different types

 

[Mav96]

Hi guys, have been smelling hot antifreeze on the project truck since it went back on the road but finally got the drips on the drive under the front.

So might as well do a total drain of the cooling system. Have we got a definitive type of antifreeze. Are they all simply identified by colour or is there more to ot.

Cheers

I only use Green as thats the recommended one for our trucks, the older ones anyway.

 

[panelbeater]

green for me as well

 

[macabethiel]

Colour is in the eye of the purchaser !

The green colour is just a fluorescent dye added by manufacturers the anti-freeze itself is colourless.
Some manufacturers products have no dye and are virtually colourless.
These days its a bit of a safety issue to avoid people drinking it as well as an vauge indicator of concentration.

My Chrysler has Pink !!

 

[Banshee]

Yeah Green Anti-Freeze for me :thumb2

 

[Mav96]

http://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/351

The main thing to do is always use the same stuff, never mix brands or colors if you can help it.

 

[Banshee]

http://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/351

The main thing to do is always use the same stuff, never mix brands or colors if you can help it.

Thats the stuff :thumb2 Got the rest pre-mixed in the original bottle that I carry round in the car should I need to top up the cooling system

 

[jims-terrano]

And how many litres of the concentrated un mixed stuff do I need?

Cheers

 

[rustic]

And how many litres of the concentrated un mixed stuff do I need?

Cheers

Hi Jim, system takes 10 litres, so you will need 5 litres of concentrated.

When you flush, do it 3-4 times prior to filling with concentrated antifreeze, as 5 litres is trapped.
note
1 flush 50% old remains
2 flush 25% old remains
3 flush 12.5% old remains
4 flush approx 6% (1/16) old remains.
Good luck,
Rustic

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

The last time I did mine I used deionized water, no minerals in it to turn into deposits in the engine, I flushed it three times with it and plan on doing another three in a month or so.
Might be a bit ott but what the heck eh

 

[macabethiel]

The last time I did mine I used deionized water, no minerals in it to turn into deposits in the engine, I flushed it three times with it and plan on doing another three in a month or so.
Might be a bit ott but what the heck eh

TBH using de-ionised water is probably pointless as when you add the ant-freeze you fill it with ions as the ethylene glycol goes into solution! If you live in a very hard water area there is very little impact by the corrosion effect of weak carbonic acids.

Mixing colours might result in a horrible coloured mix all that mater is the S.G. on your hydrometer fotr the stuff to be effective.

The thing not to do is mix organic (OAT) & inorganic ethylene glycol types though strangely enough there are some hybrids on the market.

 

[solarman216]

The green colour is just a fluorescent dye added by manufacturers the anti-freeze itself is colourless.
Some manufacturers products have no dye and are virtually colourless.
These days its a bit of a safety issue to avoid people drinking it as well as an vauge indicator of concentration.

My Chrysler has Pink !!

The colour is an indicator of the type of corrosion additive that the mixture contains orange is good for any engine, blue is not so good for Ali heads, Rick

 

[macabethiel]

The colour is an indicator of the type of corrosion additive that the mixture contains orange is good for any engine, blue is not so good for Ali heads, Rick

That's interesting thought it was just a branding thing.

Wonder where that leaves my Pink unless I am a bit colour blind!

Audi OEM used to be colourless in the 70's it was supposed to be a lifelong one.

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

I think I have blue in mine, not ally heads though are they?

 

[rustic]

I think I have blue in mine, not ally heads though are they?

You have an aluminium water pump, and earlier models have the aluminium thermostat housing. I'm not sure what the vanes of the water pump are made of, usually cast iron, on some vehicles I have worked on.