Halfords advanced coolant and water leaks

[300bhp/ton]

Anyone know if Halfords Advanced coolant can cause water leaks?

I ask as I'm not sure what changes it has over their regular coolant, it does state most 1998 and newer cars on the bottle. But that's a little vague.

I put some in my TR7 V8 a few weeks back, it now appears to be leaking from the water pump (not 100% sure where) and was wondering if this coolant might be responsible. As in has it eaten or degregated the seal/gasket?

Thanks.

[stevieturbo]

Most types of antifreeze will tend to find leaks better than water alone.

[mad4amanda]

Yes it finds any weak spot, but look on the bright side you find it now and get it all done properly without overheating and cylinder head trashing blow ups!

[300bhp/ton]

stevieturbo said:

Most types of antifreeze will tend to find leaks better than water alone.

Cheers. although what I was meaning is, should I switch to their normal coolant instead of coninuing to use their advanced formular one?

Ta.

[crankedup]

The old blue stuff works and will not cause leaks (unless your coolant system is weak)heard loads of stories of how the 'new' antifreeze can cause problems of leakage in older cars.

[mad4amanda]

its not just the new stuff all antifreeze does it, it just highlights weak points in the system. but I wouldnt bother putting the expensive advanced stuff in until you have finished sorting the issues out.

[GavinPearson]

Coolant can cause leaks, mainly due to chemical incompatibility.

OAT coolant is not compatible with silicon, you need to switch back to old technology coolant if you are experiencing issues in an older car - this is compatible with seals & gaskets.

You also need to make sure you get every last drop of the incompatible technology coolant out by draining & flushing with water, then put the correct stuff in. Failure to do this will result in inhibitor fight where you get anti-freezing but no corrosion inhibition and that tends to make a mess of the engine very quickly.

[crankedup]

G.P. has said exactly what I was saying but in a far more eloquent and technical style. The new red/orange stuff is wholly unsuited to old tech engines in general. Fella used the new antifreeze in his 1920's R.R. only to find a large puddle under his engine within a few days.

Edited by crankedup on Monday 22 November 19:25

[stevieturbo]

More to the point, why waste money on expensive stuff in the first place ?

[300bhp/ton]

stevieturbo said:

More to the point, why waste money on expensive stuff in the first place ?

Trade card, wasn't so pricey

[paintman]

Antifreeze has a 'searching' effect & will often show up little problems.
ETA If the leak on your TR7 is from the hole under the 'nose' of the water pump the shaft seal has failed & its new water pump time. Avoid the cheapies as these tend not to last!

Is this the RR link you were thinking of?
http://rrtechnical.info/miscellaneous/coolantoatwa...

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 23 November 00:29

[GavinPearson]

paintman said:

Antifreeze has a 'searching' effect & will often show up little problems.

I think you will find that the issues tend to be seen during a coolant change when the system is also flushed, disturbing deposits that are plugging leaks on a deteriorating system, and the surfactant in the coolant just pushes the system over the edge. Having incompatible chemistry is the major issue.

I read the RR owner's article and think that he missed the point, OAT coolants are very good from two standpoints - they last a long time and because their total dissolved solids level is very low they really help make water pumps last a long time. To make them work, they needed the materials in the engine to be appropriately selected.

[300bhp/ton]

paintman said:

Antifreeze has a 'searching' effect & will often show up little problems.
ETA If the leak on your TR7 is from the hole under the 'nose' of the water pump the shaft seal has failed & its new water pump time. Avoid the cheapies as these tend not to last!

Is this the RR link you were thinking of?
http://rrtechnical.info/miscellaneous/coolantoatwa...

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 23 November 00:29

Thanks.

Sadly I think you might be right about the seal bit of a bugger really, could do without out it right now. Thanks for the info though.

[tr7v8]

My TR7 V8 always ran long life Advanced Halfords a/f & was always OK.