Antifreeze?

[crankedup]

Checking the water in my magnette’s radiater I notice it’s simply plain water, no antifreeze or any additives at all. I checked the antifreeze with my tester to be double sure.
My question is should I make up an antifreeze solution now (blue) or leave it until end of year?

[trickywoo]

Apart from stopping freezing a major part of coolant additives is to prevent corrosion.

I’d never run a car just on water even if there was zero chance of freezing.

[TooMany2cvs]

Coolant isn't just "anti-freeze", it's anti-corrosion, too.

[RobXjcoupe]

As above, coolant additive stops the innards from corroding. Better off to completely drain and park up rather than let it sit with plain water inside it :s

[Pica-Pica]

Also screen wash (usually) has an anti-legionella ingredient, so don’t use plain water there either.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10293519

[crankedup]

Thanks guys, tomorrow I need to drain the water and refill with antifreeze solution. I will use the rainwater from our waterbutt as I feel it’s much softer than our tap water.

[Throttle Body]

Yes, you need to add antifreeze now for the reasons given by others. It also elevates the boiling point of the water so that it won't boil until well in excess of 100C. This should reduce the chances of overheating.

[EXKAY120]

Whats the best one to get ? in other words, are the more expensive ones a better product ?

[roscobbc]

On an older vehicle use a high quality 'old school' Glycol based antifreeze mixed 50/50 with de-ionised water - all year around.

[craigjm]

Evans waterless Classic 180 gets rid of the water issue in its entirety and if it’s good enough for the likes of Eagle it’s good enough for me

[markymarkthree]

EXKAY120 said:

Whats the best one to get ? in other words, are the more expensive ones a better product ?

If its pre 1990, its generally the blue stuff 50/50 mix.

[markymarkthree]

craigjm said:

Evans waterless Classic 180 gets rid of the water issue in its entirety and if it’s good enough for the likes of Eagle it’s good enough for me

Yep and it will also relive you of about £100.

[craigjm]

markymarkthree said:

craigjm said:

Evans waterless Classic 180 gets rid of the water issue in its entirety and if it’s good enough for the likes of Eagle it’s good enough for me

Yep and it will also relive you of about £100.

Doesn’t bother me if you can fill it and forget it. Will definitely be going in my XJ coupe again when it’s back on the road

[mph]

craigjm said:

Evans waterless Classic 180 gets rid of the water issue in its entirety and if it’s good enough for the likes of Eagle it’s good enough for me

Not recommended for anyone whose cooling system is marginal. It's a less efficient coolant than water and your car will run hotter..

[craigjm]

mph said:

craigjm said:

Evans waterless Classic 180 gets rid of the water issue in its entirety and if it’s good enough for the likes of Eagle it’s good enough for me

Not recommended for anyone whose cooling system is marginal. It's a less efficient coolant than water and your car will run hotter..

I’ve never had any overheating issues and I’ve used it for years. Boiling point is much higher than water

[RobXjcoupe]

markymarkthree said:

EXKAY120 said:

Whats the best one to get ? in other words, are the more expensive ones a better product ?

If its pre 1990, its generally the blue stuff 50/50 mix.

Tbh if you drain the system filling with blue or pink or whatever colour you find is ok. Blue used to be the 2 year change stuff where as the pink lasted 5 years.

[craigjm]

The colour doesn’t tell you anything these days unlike in the past where it would identify it as IAT or OAT

[mph]

craigjm said:

mph said:

Not recommended for anyone whose cooling system is marginal. It's a less efficient coolant than water and your car will run hotter..

I’ve never had any overheating issues and I’ve used it for years. Boiling point is much higher than water

Your cooling system isn't marginal, if it was your car would run hotter.

Unlike your own car, many older classic cars are at the limit of their cars cooling capacity, and while waterless coolant may prevent boiling over, it will also cause the engine to run hotter, which isn't desirable.

I'm not suggesting that waterless coolant isn't suitable for any classic cars, merely that it's cooling properties are inferior to water and this should be considered.

[markymarkthree]

mph said:

craigjm said:

mph said:

Not recommended for anyone whose cooling system is marginal. It's a less efficient coolant than water and your car will run hotter..

I’ve never had any overheating issues and I’ve used it for years. Boiling point is much higher than water

Your cooling system isn't marginal, if it was your car would run hotter.

Unlike your own car, many older classic cars are at the limit of their cars cooling capacity, and while waterless coolant may prevent boiling over, it will also cause the engine to run hotter, which isn't desirable.

Especially if you are running an Essex engine.

[roscobbc]

mph said:

craigjm said:

mph said:

Not recommended for anyone whose cooling system is marginal. It's a less efficient coolant than water and your car will run hotter..

I’ve never had any overheating issues and I’ve used it for years. Boiling point is much higher than water

Your cooling system isn't marginal, if it was your car would run hotter.

Unlike your own car, many older classic cars are at the limit of their cars cooling capacity, and while waterless coolant may prevent boiling over, it will also cause the engine to run hotter, which isn't desirable.

I'm not suggesting that waterless coolant isn't suitable for any classic cars, merely that it's cooling properties are inferior to water and this should be considered.

And with an older engine where perhaps a heater hose may burst and you loose much of your coolant when you are out on a drive? - you'll carry some waterless coolant in case of a top-up being needed - what happens if you loose too much coolant? - you want to get the vehicle home? - normally you'll fill with water - yes it'll be tap water and you'll need to drain off when home and re-fill with a 50/50 mix - and yes it will cost a few pounds. Same scenario with 'Waterless' coolant creates much more inconvenience and a much larger hole in your wallet.