Engine coolant/anti freeze?

Irishmaster

Hi I just went to halfords and bought some advanced coolant stuff which was coloured pink. My car currently has some grey coloured coolant in it. Just wondering if its ok to mix these? Dont know if this thread is in the right section!

biko

You shouldn't mix coolants (although it's not going to break anything).
How much are you going to put in?

Go ahead but at next service flush all coolant out and replace. Make note of what you put in (a sticker on the cap should work).

Tipsy Mac

Some types can be mixed but pink cant

Irishmaster

Put in about 100mls! Oh didnt know you couldnt mix them. Says on the bottle "compatible with all vehicle manufacturers colours of OAT coolants"
so i dont know.

lucky-colm

whats the big deal with mixing them surley coolant is coolant:eek:

Max Power1

this is an indication of my naeivity when it comes to all things motors, but is coolant the same thing as antifreeze?

Nonoperational

Coolant is antifreeze mixed with water. As regards mixing them some are not great to mix.

Irishmaster

I wasnt empty on coolant but thought id fill it up a bit and buy coolant, oil and brake fluid all the same go! Hope my car doesnt explode or anything now! Ill ask my brother and see what he says. Hes a petrol head!

biko

Irishmaster wrote: »

Put in about 100mls! Oh didnt know you couldnt mix them. Says on the bottle "compatible with all vehicle manufacturers colours of OAT coolants"
so i dont know.

Yeah don't worry.

c123

Hi,
Have another issue with coolant in vw polo-anybody any ideas-

Coolant is at correct level in containter and i dont have any other warning lights on but when i drive it goes to normal level on the guage and then suddenly drops to cold and is constantly moving between cold and normal level as i drive.
It does not rise any warmer than the normal level reading.Is it just temperature sensor (have checked internet)or would be something else?Is it ok to drive?Thanks a mil

biko

So temp gauge fluctuates between normal and cold on the dash?
Does it correspond to when you accelerate/brake?
It sound more like a sensor/wiring problem than a coolant issue, from what you describe. I would swap the sensor first and see.

c123

Thanks yes it tends to get very low when stopped in traffic and then rises when move off again but even when im driving its moving up and down also.Would it be ok to continue driving it like this?Thanks

cian1500ww

It could be down to a faulty thermostat either but if it's going up and down very quickly it's more than likely the guage or sensor.

biko

c123 wrote: »

Thanks yes it tends to get very low when stopped in traffic and then rises when move off again but even when im driving its moving up and down also.Would it be ok to continue driving it like this?Thanks

I would say yes, it's fine to drive it to the mechanic as it now sounds like a wiring issue. It's probably ok to drive around in it anyway but you should have it looked at by a mechanic (somehow internet advice doesn't replace that look and feel experience ).

c123

Going to get it done on Saturday-Thanks a mil for your advice was getting into state of panic over it.

Op you should check the recommended Coolant for your car. Some cars need specific standard for instance BMW's must use nitrite and amino-free anti-freeze. I buy the OEM BMW coolant and the funny thing is a 1.5 litre bottle costs the same as 1 litre of after market stuff from the motorfactors.

After that pink and green should not be mixed as they can react with each other.

You should also mix the anti-freeze 50/50 with de-ionized water, unless its a premixed in the bottle. Personally I much prefer mixing my self then I know exactly what in the system.

I did a full coolant flush and re-fill on my car before the winter and it was great piece of mind during the cold weather knowing it was well protected.

GTE

Gracelyn Old-fashioned Advertisement wrote: »

Op you should check the recommended Coolant for your car. Some cars need specific standard for instance BMW's must use nitrite and amino-free anti-freeze. I buy the OEM BMW coolant and the funny thing is a 1.5 litre bottle costs the same as 1 litre of after market stuff from the motorfactors.

After that pink and green should not be mixed as they can react with each other.

You should also mix the anti-freeze 50/50 with de-ionized water, unless its a premixed in the bottle. Personally I much prefer mixing my self then I know exactly what in the system.

I did a full coolant flush and re-fill on my car before the winter and it was great piece of mind during the cold weather knowing it was well protected.

De-ionized or distilled? I have read that the de-ionized can "eat metal".

Voodoomelon

Mixing certain types of coolant can produce a white gunk, something akin to mayonnaise. This is rare enough but it can happen and destroy your cooling system and as a result, your engine. Most modern coolants won't do this, but you never know what bizarre combination will produce the same result.

deadlast

Gracelyn Old-fashioned Advertisement wrote: »

I did a full coolant flush and re-fill on my car before the winter and it was great piece of mind during the cold weather knowing it was well protected.

How do you do this?