What fluids - anti-freeze + gearbox
Discussion
Happy New Year all, anyone have any experience or recommendations as to what are good performers to use in the cooling system and in the T5 gear box. Thumbing Demon Tweeks there is a huge choice.
First antifreeze, I seem to remember from the service schedule this should be replaced every 2 years, so mine is now due. What is best, just 'normal' Halfords type stuff? - With distilled water? D.Tweeks has some which is pre-mixed and should last 10 years, anyone tried this?
Second T5 oil: The handbook recommends Mobil 1 SHC which is 75W-90 synthetic. Sometimes the box slightly 'sticks' in gear, this did go away for a period when Towerview replaced the oil, but this trait came back only months later. Is it the heat or performance? Anyway, I want something that will overcome this and be ok for the longterm durability of the box.
With both of the above I am not so bothered about cost, more their performance so any input will be welcome.
Cheers in advance,
Chris
First antifreeze, I seem to remember from the service schedule this should be replaced every 2 years, so mine is now due. What is best, just 'normal' Halfords type stuff? - With distilled water? D.Tweeks has some which is pre-mixed and should last 10 years, anyone tried this?
Second T5 oil: The handbook recommends Mobil 1 SHC which is 75W-90 synthetic. Sometimes the box slightly 'sticks' in gear, this did go away for a period when Towerview replaced the oil, but this trait came back only months later. Is it the heat or performance? Anyway, I want something that will overcome this and be ok for the longterm durability of the box.
With both of the above I am not so bothered about cost, more their performance so any input will be welcome.
Cheers in advance,
Chris
Don't know about the gearbox oil - but as regards antifreeze...any stuff will work. After all, it just lowers the freezing point of the coolant - just check it's ok for alloy blocks. Distilled water's only necessary for batteries.
I have a simple hydrometer from Halfords (or similar) that shows the concentration and therefore the effectiveness of the antifreeze in the radiator (cost about £1). If you are planning on draining / refilling the system anyway - just refill with the correct concentration as per the temperature expectations in your area (typically 25%).
You may have to top-up the system several times as air locks are common and have the effect of suddenly dropping the level in the expansion tank.
>> Edited by wolosp on Thursday 2nd January 16:06
I have a simple hydrometer from Halfords (or similar) that shows the concentration and therefore the effectiveness of the antifreeze in the radiator (cost about £1). If you are planning on draining / refilling the system anyway - just refill with the correct concentration as per the temperature expectations in your area (typically 25%).
You may have to top-up the system several times as air locks are common and have the effect of suddenly dropping the level in the expansion tank.
>> Edited by wolosp on Thursday 2nd January 16:06
Just a word of warning on antifreeze (correct term - coolant additive, it does much more than just antifreeze). There are different types and not all mix with each-other. If it's just for top-up any will probably do provided it's same spec. You can get long-life (Texaco I think) which is good for 10 yrs and worth it in the long run. Usually the correct mix ratio is 50/50 and this is what I would recommend.
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