Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Blue pill / Red pill - a question of coolant

  • 04-10-2014 7:49am
    #1
    antiskeptic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭


    Audi A4 1.8 2003. Coolant light came on with coolant level below the low line in the tank. Motor Factors says there's blue coolant and red coolant and that I'd want to know which as mixing can cause it to turn to gel.

    How do I know which one to buy?

    Cheers..


Comments

  • #2
    visual
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭visual


    antiskeptic wrote: »
    Audi A4 1.8 2003. Coolant light came on with coolant level below the low line in the tank. Motor Factors says there's blue coolant and red coolant and that I'd want to know which as mixing can cause it to turn to gel.

    How do I know which one to buy?

    Cheers..

    Colour is just a dye and it is no guarantee what type of coolant is in the bottle.

    You need to look up the type for car and read what printed on bottel


  • #3
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    visual wrote: »
    Colour is just a dye and it is no guarantee what type of coolant is in the bottle.

    You need to look up the type for car and read what printed on bottel

    Exactly, coolant has gone the way of oil. Long gone are the days when coolant was coolant.
    I had to check the driver's handbook on my car to get the exact type of coolant and buy exactly that.
    Your problem is, if your car had a previous owner and he might have topped up or replaced with the wrong sort of coolant (or, God help you, tapwater), your only option is to drain the system completely and refill with the correct coolant, either ready to use or concentrate mixed with denature water, NOT tap water.
    If the color of your coolant is gone a bit weak or even brown, then drain in any case.
    Coolant should be a very vibrant color, almost neon, otherwise it's knackered and has got to go.


  • #4
    Chimaera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,652 ✭✭✭Chimaera


    Go to a VAG dealer and ask for a bottle of coolant there. It's not that expensive, maybe €12-15 for a 1.5 l bottle.


  • #5
    OldmanMondeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,009 ✭✭✭OldmanMondeo


    A good motor factors will be able to advise you on correct coolant. Either the Factors you went into were crap or someone was lazy.


  • #6
    Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,964 ✭✭✭Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime


    Vag / opel /bmw/ mercedes/ ford / some french / german = Red coolant

    Japs honda /mits / mazda /nissan etc green/blue coolant


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Hachiko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭Hachiko


    my lexus needs pink coolant, and they are quite precise about that in the manual. Its this one

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-SCION-LEXUS-SUPER-LONG-LIFE-COOLANT-PINK-ANTIFREEZE-1-GALLON-/290937264632


Advertisement