Coolant/ antifreeze mix question

gooner99

Hi.

Going to do a full coolant system flush on a 14 ford focus 1.6 tdci 95hp. Manual says system takes over seven litres in total.

I priced the ford antifreeze at two dealers.

One dealer said I'd need to get 4 litres concentrate and add water to bring it up to the required level of over 7 litres. So do a 50/50 mix.

Second dealer said I'd only need 2 litres concentrate and add water. So a much lower antifreeze to water ratio. I questioned to ratio and he said that was what they used in the workshop. They said it was fine for our climate/temps.

Do you think the 2 litres of concentrate to water mix is ok, or should I go 50/50?

What is the general ratio you use for your diesel engines?

Thanks.

The Continental Op

Both are correct but I go for a 50/50 mix.

You don't need the antifreeze at all in the summer EXCEPT modern antifreeze has corrosion inhibitors in it which help keep the system cleaner and prevent rust. Antifreeze also increases the boiling point. So of course the manufacturers recommend using antifreeze for those reasons.

50/50 gives the best high and low temperature protection and longer term corrosion protection.

If you are going to flush your rad out regularly the 20/80 would be fine.

Atlantic Dawn

Additionally do you need to use deionised water to not cause corrosion damage down the road to the radiator?

The Continental Op

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Additionally do you need to use deionised water to not cause corrosion damage down the road to the radiator?

Why would you when there are corrosion inhibitors in the antifreeze?

But I'd try to avoid using any water from an area with very hard water but again the inhibitors should sort that.

gooner99

The Continental Op wrote: »

Both are correct but I go for a 50/50 mix.

You don't need the antifreeze at all in the summer EXCEPT modern antifreeze has corrosion inhibitors in it which help keep the system cleaner and prevent rust. Antifreeze also increases the boiling point. So of course the manufacturers recommend using antifreeze for those reasons.

50/50 gives the best high and low temperature protection and longer term corrosion protection.

If you are going to flush your rad out regularly the 20/80 would be fine.

Odd then that they'd do a 20/80 mix. Unless of course Ford dealers do change it regularly?

What is the norm with modern cars. Change only when doing a timing kit & water pump change, or change more often based on something like number of years?

biko

It'll say on the bottle how to mix.

The Continental Op

biko wrote: »

It'll say on the bottle how to mix.

Yeah, but ......

goes out to shed ......

returns from shed......

as I suspected my 5l bottle of Halfords Oat Antifreeze gives two options 33% and 50% both give good protection from freezing and increased boiling temp but the 50% give the best protection.

Isambard

biko wrote: »

It'll say on the bottle how to mix.

this.Different brands may be more or less concentrated so need more or less water. If in doubt buy premixed.

CoBo55

The Continental Op wrote: »

Yeah, but ......

goes out to shed ......

returns from shed......

as I suspected my 5l bottle of Halfords Oat Antifreeze gives two options 33% and 50% both give good protection from freezing and increased boiling temp but the 50% give the best protection.

You're tricking us, you were in the shed the whole time:D
50:50 I'd go for.

The Continental Op

CoBo55 wrote: »

You're tricking us, you were in the shed the whole time:D
50:50 I'd go for.

The thought has occured to me to put a screen in out there

CianRyan

Just buy a decent quality pre-mix like Prestone, save the hassle. Straight out and straight in.

mickdw

Its years since i used a concentrate coolant.
Straight from the bottle is a better solution all round.

gooner99

Local motor factors has a 5l jar of ready to use Holt's.

It's pink in colour with the following specs on it. VW, AUDI, SEAT, SKODA (G12, G12+, G12++, G13, TL774G). It states long lasting anti corrosion up to 240k Kms or 10 years, -30c to +129c.

Not sure how important getting the right spec of coolant is. My focus has pink in it, but I was reading that colour is no longer a good indicator.

Is that one ok to use in my car or do I need a different one?

If so will this 5l jar suffice and top off with 2l or more of water. Label just says pre mixed, do not dilute. No mention of ratio?

I see Prestone seems to be widely available branded as suitable for all vehicles!

CianRyan

That will be fine, I'd also be surprised if you got 5l into it. When you crack the pipe or bleed nipple you're only getting coolant out of the radiator and top hoses, there will be a lot left in the water jackets etc.

Just buy the pre mixed coolant

gooner99

CianRyan wrote: »

That will be fine, I'd also be surprised if you got 5l into it. When you crack the pipe or bleed nipple you're only getting coolant out of the radiator and top hoses, there will be a lot left in the water jackets etc.

Oh really. I was just going by the manual, which gives the capacity at 7.3 litres.

CianRyan

gooner99 wrote: »

Oh really. I was just going by the manual, which gives the capacity at 7.3 litres.

Yep, capacity is for filling a dry block. I've done thousands of coolant changes and you generally get between 1-3 liters out.

gooner99

Every day is a school day. Came on here thinking I needed to have 7.3 litres to refill the Focus cooling system, so 1 x 5l concentrate or 2 x 5l premix. Now thanks to this thread I know that 2 x 1l concentrate or 1 x 5l premix container is more than enough. Thanks for clearing this up.

Isambard

i use concentrate for this very reason. You can very roughly estimate how much to put in based on how much you drain.