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[venom]

What is the cheapest suitable antifreeze I can use on my 2.5 v6 just to stop the water freezing up as I'm not going to be driving it while I do work on her.

[tigers_gonads]

If you can get your hands on a trade card, use Vx Red ready mixed 
£15 for 5 ltrs 

[RobG]

If you can get your hands on a trade card, use Vx Red ready mixed  
£15 for 5 ltrs 

AKA 50% water

[robson]

You dont put antifreeze in only if not going to be driving the car, Antifreeze is an essential at this time of year, It is also said to maintain a good engine even in the summer. Dont worry about cost a broken engine will cost an enormous amount.

[Lazydocker]

I get the Vx red (neat) anti-freeze. I picked up a 20L tub when it was on offer for about £40+ VAT IIRC

[venom]

If you can get your hands on a trade card, use Vx Red ready mixed 
£15 for 5 ltrs 

That's what I've just picked up 

[venom]

You dont put antifreeze in only if not going to be driving the car, Antifreeze is an essential at this time of year, It is also said to maintain a good engine even in the summer. Dont worry about cost a broken engine will cost an enormous amount.

Yeah I know but with the amount of times it will be in then out & gets contaminated throw it away & put fresh in so that's why I wanted cheap stuff just to get by with until it 100% ready for the road

[Kevin Wood]

If you're going to be doing cam belts and stuff like that I'd drain the radiator and remove the water pump to ensure the block is empty then  blow through the heater matrix. No coolant to freeze.

[freecall666]

if you have a pound shop they sell some cheap stuff in there. £1. if you not running engine alot should be fine.

[robson]

Sorry Venom I must have misunderstood your post but  if you completely drain the system you should have no problems.Yes pound shop have some cheap stuff but europarts also has some which might be better quality

[Entwood]

if you have a pound shop they sell some cheap stuff in there. £1. if you not running engine alot should be fine.

Cheap antifreeze may well protect from freezing to some level .... but I'll bet my bottom dollar that it contains few, if any, anti corrosion inhibitors, lubricity agents, or any other additives.

There is a REASON for using proper stuff, and it's not always just to make the manufaturers money, it is OFTEN down to compatibility with the systems/components in the car.

Read all the threads about oil cooler failures .. work out how often you want to change one, and how much it will cost you each time ... then add that to your cheap antifreeze price, because oil cooler failures are 99% caused by poor coolant maintenance ... ie .. lack of anti corrosion additives ... so the things rust away and leak.

It is your choice at the end of the day .. but advice like the above could, and will, cost you dearly in the long run.

Any advice should have an explanation attached, hopefully I have fulfilled this requirement.

[TheBoy]

I'd keep a decent antifreeze in it, rather than drain, as this will help fight against corrosion.

[HockeyDave55]

If you can get your hands on a trade card, use Vx Red ready mixed 
£15 for 5 ltrs 

I've just done mine, went round to my VX and got 3 ltrs of non mixed for £13.... mix 1-1 with tap water, job done! :-)

[venom]

I did buy the VX stuff as with my TC it worked out the same price as the stuff from my local motor factors, but cheers for the advice.

[Webby the Bear]

I'll be getting paid end of this month and ''stocking up'' at my local dealer.... if OP is near me (not sure where in Oxfordshire you are...I'm in N'pton) you can come to me and we can go Vx and pick a load of stuff up for you. Send PM if you want. Innit