Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[sounds2k]

Hi folks,

I've just taken delivery of the new miggy ... noticed that the dealer's mechanic has filled it with non-Vx coolant after changing the water pump - it's a blue colour. I've read the maintenance guide on coolant change, and have two questions:

1) is it just plain tap water to be used
2) on a V6, given that approx. 50% drains from the system, would it not be possible to repeatedly flush until the draining water is clear, then after this last drain top up with neat coolant to achieve the 50-50 mix?

cheers  

[Andy B]

Hi folks,
 ...... and have two questions:

1) is it just plain tap water to be used
2) on a V6, given that approx. 50% drains from the system, would it not be possible to repeatedly flush until the draining water is clear, then after this last drain top up with neat coolant to achieve the 50-50 mix?

cheers  

Q - 1) Depends on how hard your local water is. You don't want to fur up your rad etc like you see in kettles of hard water areas.

Q - 2) If it's already been done I wouldn't change it for changing sake. But yes you're right if you want to get rid of it repeated flushes will do the trick.

[hotel21]

As AndyB intimates.

Ideal world, nice soft water (like we get up here in the Lords Chosen Refuge   ) with the red antifreeze but whats in the engine already will probably suffice.  

If you want complete peace of mind, then simply drain whats there, refill a few times with fresh water (rainwater in your area may be better than tap) then drain.  Refill with fresh red antifreeze.  A draining only gets rid of 50% of the coolant contents, so refilling with neat antifreeze gets the mix right.

HtH

B

[Auto Addict]

I think Mark Jay did this, drain it, fill it, run it, drain it fill it, run it etc......until the water is clear.

Then fill with 50% neat anti freeze and top up with water.

[rpont]

...but do it in two years time. The blue antifreeze lasts for two years, does a perfectly good job and there is no reason to make extra work for yourself until it's needed.

[tunnie]

thats what i did when i made the guide.... drop coolant, fill with water. start engine and rev with heaters on full for a few mins. Drain coolant again.

Repeat above 3 times

Then fill with pure coolant.

[sounds2k]

thanks folks - will do that in 2 years' time, have bought some blue anti-freeze from Halfrauds to top the level up with in the meantime  

[rpont]

The red can be mixed with the blue. It doesn't extend the life of the coolant if there is blue in as well, you still have to change it after 2 years.

[TheBoy]

Remember the 2 yrs on blue is the maximum, so do it before at a time that suits you (ie a nice warm summers day )

[tunnie]

Its not exactly expensive to do, i belive its around £10 / £15 for 5L bottle of Vx Red?

[TheBoy]

Its not exactly expensive to do, i belive its around £10 / £15 for 5L bottle of Vx Red?

Cheaper on TC

[tunnie]

Its not exactly expensive to do, i belive its around £10 / £15 for 5L bottle of Vx Red?

Cheaper on TC

I should remember really, bought enough of the stuff.... had a feeling it was around 8 quid + vat... but then thought it was around 15 for some reason  :-?

[Andy B]

Its not exactly expensive to do, i belive its around £10 / £15 for 5L bottle of Vx Red?

Cheaper on TC

I should remember really, bought enough of the stuff.... had a feeling it was around 8 quid + vat... but then thought it was around 15 for some reason  :-?

I think I must have had my collar felt when i changed mine!   I seam (sic :-?) to remember that it was about 45 squids when I did the coolant & header tank cos the dealer only had single litre bottles of pink antifreeze.

[TheBoy]

Its not exactly expensive to do, i belive its around £10 / £15 for 5L bottle of Vx Red?

Cheaper on TC

I should remember really, bought enough of the stuff.... had a feeling it was around 8 quid + vat... but then thought it was around 15 for some reason  :-?

I think I must have had my collar felt when i changed mine!   I seam (sic :-?) to remember that it was about 45 squids when I did the coolant & header tank cos the dealer only had single litre bottles of pink antifreeze.

About £7 - 8 +VAT for 5l can...