Discussion
Anyone ever try to work out which one to put in these days.
Green, blue, red, orange, yellow, yellow/green? OAT or HOAT? Silicate or phosphate anti-corrosion chemicals?
Did you know that some will eat copper radiators or that some like composition gaskets? Did you know that some like aluminium engines and some definitely don't?
It's a mine field
On behalf of my sister-in-law, I tried to find out the recommended one for her car off forums and 3 garages and no one seemed to know. In the end, I took the advice of Opie Oils and bought one which they said would definitely not cause any trouble.
Green, blue, red, orange, yellow, yellow/green? OAT or HOAT? Silicate or phosphate anti-corrosion chemicals?
Did you know that some will eat copper radiators or that some like composition gaskets? Did you know that some like aluminium engines and some definitely don't?
It's a mine field
On behalf of my sister-in-law, I tried to find out the recommended one for her car off forums and 3 garages and no one seemed to know. In the end, I took the advice of Opie Oils and bought one which they said would definitely not cause any trouble.
There's a lot of internet myth on this subject. Coolant will not just dissolve your engine/gasket for fun. Different coolants are designed to meet different environmental requirements and protect different types of engine materials.
I don't know the full story though. When I needed coolant, I bought it from a BMW dealership for a surprisingly reasonable price and enjoyed the peace of mind.
I don't know the full story though. When I needed coolant, I bought it from a BMW dealership for a surprisingly reasonable price and enjoyed the peace of mind.
Zed 44 said:
Anyone ever try to work out which one to put in these days.
Green, blue, red, orange, yellow, yellow/green? OAT or HOAT? Silicate or phosphate anti-corrosion chemicals?
Did you know that some will eat copper radiators or that some like composition gaskets? Did you know that some like aluminium engines and some definitely don't?
It's a mine field
On behalf of my sister-in-law, I tried to find out the recommended one for her car off forums and 3 garages and no one seemed to know. In the end, I took the advice of Opie Oils and bought one which they said would definitely not cause any trouble.
An easy option is to use what the manufacturer recommends.Green, blue, red, orange, yellow, yellow/green? OAT or HOAT? Silicate or phosphate anti-corrosion chemicals?
Did you know that some will eat copper radiators or that some like composition gaskets? Did you know that some like aluminium engines and some definitely don't?
It's a mine field
On behalf of my sister-in-law, I tried to find out the recommended one for her car off forums and 3 garages and no one seemed to know. In the end, I took the advice of Opie Oils and bought one which they said would definitely not cause any trouble.
Usually a specification is listed in the Owner's Handbook that a dealer can translate into something useful. And that's what you need to buy.
Coolant is basically comprised of 3 'ingredients' - water is about 50%, ethylene glycol is typically about 49% and the inhibitor pack is the remainder.
If you use the 'wrong' coolant you don't lose the ability to protect against freezing, but you may end up with 'inhibitor fight' where no corrosion protection is afforded to the metals and they start to corrode.
Coolant is basically comprised of 3 'ingredients' - water is about 50%, ethylene glycol is typically about 49% and the inhibitor pack is the remainder.
If you use the 'wrong' coolant you don't lose the ability to protect against freezing, but you may end up with 'inhibitor fight' where no corrosion protection is afforded to the metals and they start to corrode.
[quote=GavinPearson]Usually a specification is listed in the Owner's Handbook that a dealer can translate into something useful. And that's what you need to buy.
Coolant is basically comprised of 3 'ingredients' - water is about 50%, ethylene glycol is typically about 49% and the inhibitor pack is the remainder.
If you use the 'wrong' coolant you don't lose the ability to protect against freezing, but you may end up with 'inhibitor fight' where no corrosion protection is afforded to the metals and they start to corrode. [/quote
And therein lies the problem.
Coolant is basically comprised of 3 'ingredients' - water is about 50%, ethylene glycol is typically about 49% and the inhibitor pack is the remainder.
If you use the 'wrong' coolant you don't lose the ability to protect against freezing, but you may end up with 'inhibitor fight' where no corrosion protection is afforded to the metals and they start to corrode. [/quote
And therein lies the problem.
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