Coolant - colour matter?

troops

Hi,

I've a focus and the coolant is very low. the guy in the auto shop gave me holts which he says is blue. The one in my car is an orange colour, tho he said there's no such thing as orange coolant (prob hadn't a clue).

Says in my manual not to mix different colour coolants so don't want to chance it.

Is it dodgy to do this?

should i just get the orange one? i take it halfords will sell this type?

Kid Nothing

Don't mix them, just go buy the correct one.

Avns1s

You should not mix them under any circumstances. Get the right one. As an alternative, there is a clear one which claims to be compatible with all other colours.

antodeco

I think there is blue and red collants. Mine looks green, but its actually blue. So i could imagine that yours looking orange is actually red? Someone else should be able to confirm.

pajero12

Maybe it's just clear coolant turned orange with the rust from inside the block and rad??

Divorce Referendum

pajero12 wrote: »

Maybe it's just clear coolant turned orange with the rust from inside the block and rad??

No i have a focus it is an orange colour. The best thing to do would be to get it from the ford dealers op. Think its motorcraft super plus is what they supply. Maybe establish why the coolant is going low with a mechanic as well.

troops

thanks

would this one be ok - says it's suitable for Fords

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_185166_categoryId_229903_langId_-1?cm_vc=IOV4PLPZ1

Guy in the auto shop is a total and utter f***tard, red/orange and blue/green coolants cannot be mixed.

troops

troops wrote: »

thanks

would this one be ok - says it's suitable for Fords

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_185166_categoryId_229903_langId_-1?cm_vc=IOV4PLPZ1

so this stuff is ok then?

RollYerOwn

Wish I could answer troops - reckon there must be a specification recommended in the manual?

Just thought I'd pop in with a note that I had my timing belt just done and the mechanic topped it up with orange coloured coolant (although from a jug, not a bottle) - so it exists in some form - I'd like to think it wasn't used coolant from some other engine (pajero12 with the rust suggestion).

newbie2

troops wrote: »

so this stuff is ok then?

check the website

halfords wrote:

does it go into ford focus 2001 (y)
2 years ago
by
Anonymous
on Halfords Ready Mixed Top Up Antifreeze 2L







Answers




A:
A Ford Focus of this age required an Organic Acid Technology coolant that met the requirements of the Ford WSS-M97B44-D specification. Halfords Advanced Protection Antifreeze and Summer Coolant (both concentrated and ready to use) meet these requirements.
1 year, 11 months ago
by
HalfordsWebTeam

FWIW, I drive a Focus and use red coolant

RollYerOwn

Just out of curiosity... What's the difference between red/orange and blue/green?

Webmonkey

The red/pink stuff is the OAT stuff I believe. Organic Acid Technology.

Blue green is probably the standard Ethylene glycol stuff that's more common I think?

I'm no expert but I do know it is dangerous to mix the two.

mondeoman2

Divorce Referendum wrote: »

No i have a focus it is an orange colour. The best thing to do would be to get it from the ford dealers op. Think its motorcraft super plus is what they supply. Maybe establish why the coolant is going low with a mechanic as well.

Motorcraft super plus is voilet in colour,not sure if it is the same as the orange stuff

Divorce Referendum

mondeoman2 wrote: »

Motorcraft super plus is voilet in colour,not sure if it is the same as the orange stuff

Maybe it has changed then since i got it last. Remember when i had a Skoda and it had red G12+ then a few months later G12++ came out and it was pink.

coronaextra

Seeing as your coolant is so low you should flush out any of the old stuff left in the system and refill it with whatever new brand you want to use.
Antifreeze should be renewed every 2-3 years.

corkcomp

its ok to mix colours as long as the coolant is the same type but red / orange and blue wont be the same type so either flush the system as mentioned or buy blue / green coolant.. also if your car has 100% (premixed) coolant you shouldnt put a mix of ordinary antifreeze + water in