Anti Freeze - what type???

Martin3500V8

New Member
I checked my anti freeze and it is low, I was just going to top it up but it was green and all I can find is blue in the shops etc, I was just wondering if it can be mixed? or if it has to be flushed out. If so could someone please tell me if there is a specific type i have to use in the V8.
 
A standard Glycol based antifreeze (blue/green) will mix fine with your exisiting antifreeze. Just dont get an 'advanced' one that may be Organic Acid (O.A.T.) based technology for modern cars. These are usually coloured pink, purple or orange.

So yes, a blue antifreeze to BS6580:1992 will be just the job, mixed 50:50 with De-Ionised/Distilled water.

Good time of year to do a full coolant flush and change if you so wished too, I've just done the SD1.
 
V8Bart,
Advanced anti-freeze is a brilliant creation. It is generally non-toxic, so won`t kill most pet dogs, or give humans kidney failure in minutes after ingestion, which is what the Ethylene Glycol based (old stuff) does. It`s use by modern car makers gives them an excuse to void warranties if you use the old stuff instead. Sorry thats me being cynical! Joking aside, the Propylene Glycol based (new stuff) is a lot safer to use, and is kinder to the inner depths of our cars engines and waterways, generally doesn`t need replacing as frequently, and has better lubricating properties to rubber components like seals, hoses etc. If you rebuilt a P6 engine completely, using new everything that your coolant was coming into contact with, then it would be totally safe, but best to stick with the old `sweet tasting` stuff, if thats what it`s used to!
I`m no scientist tho`!! :D Drew
 
Well, I am pulling my engine out and replacing all the hoses and seals. I am going to use the pink stuff cause it has higher boiling point and better heat absorption characteristics without forming steam cushions around the cylinders. Like you said, it is brilliant. I used to have the green stuff in my bike and it used to overflow in traffic on hot summers. Since I switched to pink coolant it stopped doing that! Before filling up I am going to flush the system and add some system cleaning chemicals to make sure it is totally purged of all the crap and old coolant.
 
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