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[kcl]

Have now had it with coolant leaks, finally managed to block the last one on my 2,6. Both Omegas I have had have been 2,6 and with red coolant and both have had issues with leaking. Both have had leaking oil cooler, current one had also leaking stat and last leak was from electric block heater. The previous had also HBV leaking.

I've also watch closely on one MY2000 2,5 engined Omega for years which has had blue coolant from new and it has never ever leaked a drop and has been driven for one third of a million kilometers.

My suspicion is that the red coolant is causing the leaks, some ingredient in red stuff is making sealants and o-rings weaker than the old blue stuff. As both red and blue have been in use in Omegas there should not be any reason to use either, I mean that you can securely fill a red system with blue coolant AFTER a very careful and FULL flush of system. I think blue is better for Omegas.

Also one note to coolant change on 2,6/3,2 engines: there is a threaded core plug beside oil filter where from you can get out the rest of coolant which would otherwise remain inside block even when system is emtied from radiator tap. I found this out the hard way when removing the block heater... always fancied a shower with warm coolant 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Living in Finland I'd have thought that red coolant is more suitable for you, as I think it is more effective at extreme low temperatures?    I've always used blue coolant, mainly because it's cheaper but many members here recommend red....

[kcl]

Living in Finland I'd have thought that red coolant is more suitable for you, as I think it is more effective at extreme low temperatures?    I've always used blue coolant, mainly because it's cheaper but many members here recommend red....

Both blue and red give about the same freezing point with 50/50 mixture, around -35...38 celsius. And, when its really cold, you could put 68% antifreeze and gain -70 degrees Celsius  Of course then you'd have to change it for summer as too much antifreeze lowers the boiling point...

[Webby the Bear]

I used blue anti-freeze and I got a HBV leak! lol

I have now switched to the red GM stuff.

As for getting the last of the old stuff out... I flushed mine with water as per the maintenance guide until running clear from the drain plug and as there's always half left after a flush you simply top up with the fresh coolant 

[TheBoy]

My MV6 has always had GM Red in my ownership (9yrs now I think), and the Rover has as well since the free servicing voucher ran out (about 8yrs ago).  Only had the Elite for 18months, thats always had Red.

The MV6 has had a HG fail 4 or 5yrs ago, leaking coolant, and the Rover has obviously had a HG fail, and an inlet gasket fail - both stndard faults.  Otherwise, no leaks.

[Chris_H]

I used blue anti-freeze and I got a HBV leak! lol

I have now switched to the red GM stuff.

As for getting the last of the old stuff out... I flushed mine with water as per the maintenance guide until running clear from the drain plug and as there's always half left after a flush you simply top up with the fresh coolant 

I take it you don't use de-ionised water then?

[TheBoy]

I used blue anti-freeze and I got a HBV leak! lol

I have now switched to the red GM stuff.

As for getting the last of the old stuff out... I flushed mine with water as per the maintenance guide until running clear from the drain plug and as there's always half left after a flush you simply top up with the fresh coolant 

I take it you don't use de-ionised water then?

I don't. Except in the Kawasaki.

[ndmv6]

ive always used GM blue coolant on all the vauxhalls ive had over the last 21 years,never had any problems...