Recommended Antifreeze?

[Tatey]

My car heaters started playing up today, as they only put out hot air when driving, not when coasting. It turned out that I am running low on coolant.

So I thought I might as well change the antifreeze since it's been in my car since new, meaning its 8 years old. I've never done the job before and never had to buy any antifreeze, so has anyone got any recommendation of what to go for and where to buy it from?

Cheers

[twinturbo]

Check the spec in the Haynes, there's only a couple of types avaialable. Any motor factor should be able to help.

TT

[Bonzo]

Your car's hand book should give you the reccommended anti-freeze & it's dilution rates.

If you don't have one, post the cars make & model here, someone may have the relevant data ;)

If buying from the likes of Halfrauds, avoid the pre-diluted stuff .... You'll be paying a premium price for a product containing a great deal of water :eek:

Any anti-freeze is better than none as most contain vital corrosion inhibitors .... Very important for engines that are all alloy or have alloy heads :)

[twinturbo]

It's a corsa of some sort.

TT

[twinturbo]

give me the year and model and I will look it up on autodata if it's listed.

TT

[Tatey]

Its a pre facelift 1.7Di Corsa C. Cheers for your help everyone. I'm slowly starting to learn the ins and outs of cars.

[twinturbo]

what year?

[Tatey]

Its a 2002 model.

[twinturbo]

Does not mention a specifc type but full capacity is 6.1L

Probabl normal EthlyGlycol

TT

[flyerncle]

My 2010 AD says 7.1 ltr,use longlife pink antifreeze.Mix 50/50.

[Tatey]

Well that's my coolant changed now, it really was an easy job, just unscrew the valve on the bottom of the radiator and what for it to drain. Then I gave it a quick flush through with water and then filled it up with a 50-50 mix of long life antifreeze and water.

I'll be taking it for a quick drive later on just to make sure there are no airlocks or leaks in the system.

Cheers for all your help guys.

[twinturbo]

Keep an eye on it over the next week to make sure the level does not drop and continue to drop.

TT

[baz-r]

coolent is ethyleneglycol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol

it can turn sour over time and cause corsion in the waterways

the only diffrence between types is usualy anti corsion additives that are added
you used to be able to tell by the colour but i think its just a guide line

blue was normal or universal
bright yelow/green was long life
pink/red was an orgnaic type OAT thats less toxic and degradable (found in fords first) not to be mixed with other types but have no idea if thats true

changing the mix only effects the point when it starts to turn to ice
tho i was told never to use it neat

if you want to inprove your coolent mix it with deionised water it should make it last longer and work better.

50/50 is a good rule and as long as its not cheepo it should be ok