Why does engine coolant need to be replaced every couple of years? does it go off? I always do it but was talking with someone who flushes the system out with water before draining again and filling with coolant. Is there some contaminant in the old coolant that should be cleaned out before refilling?
iirc, it's just that the anti-corrosive agents stop working after some time. Just draining/replacing should do the trick.
Usually its dirty from scum or limescale. I’ve had to back flush radiators quite a few times to clear garbage from inside them, often the water that comes out is totally filthy
Removal of sludge requires flushing. In theory I guess if the coolant corrosion inhibitors are working there should be none... Hence the need to
change it to stop the corrosion (to keep its anti corrosion properties)..
Dan
[Edited on 2/9/09 by Bluemoon]
most manufactures use long life coolant these days
The ford stuff is ment to last 10 years !
In some hard water areas doing a complete coolant change using antifreeze mixed with tap water will do more harm than good, with normal blue/green
antifreze coolants 50% changed every year and top up with 50% mixture is enough.
With orange/pink longlife coolant 50% changed every 2 years.
In modern coolants the inhibitors are so good you shouldn't get any sludge provided they are kept up to strength.
With long life OAT coolant if using a fluhing agent it should always be an acid type never old style caustic.
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
most manufactures use long life coolant these days
The ford stuff is ment to last 10 years !
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
In some hard water areas doing a complete coolant change using antifreeze mixed with tap water will do more harm than good, with normal blue/green antifreze coolants 50% changed every year and top up with 50% mixture is enough.
Nick, I too live in a hard water area.
I use distilled water/battery water for any top ups in mine.
I buy in 5l containers from the local hardware for a couple of quid. (bargin)
This has got me thinking.. Next coolant change will use 50% distilled water, after a hose pipe flush...
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
most manufactures use long life coolant these days
The ford stuff is ment to last 10 years !
The stuff BMW are using in the MINI goes off and turns to brown smelly goo if it gets contaminated.
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
In some hard water areas doing a complete coolant change using antifreeze mixed with tap water will do more harm than good, with normal blue/green antifreze coolants 50% changed every year and top up with 50% mixture is enough.
interesting point on the hard water - we live in the middle of chalk downs so the tap water is usually milky to say the least.
Would it be better to buy distilled water for coolant purposes? Obviously more costly come service time, but better long term engine care.
The stuff I've bought is premixed long life so no need to worry about hard water. The kit car coolant always came out nice and clean. It was
about the longest living part of that engine.
If the cappuccino's coolant comes out clean, I've just refill with the new. Otherwise I'll flush it through with water.
rainwater collected in your butt otherwise a trek to wilkinsons to buy litre bottles of deionised water (is what I used - gone up to 52 p)
Isnt it hygroscopic (like brake fluid)?
quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
rainwater collected in your butt otherwise a trek to wilkinsons to buy litre bottles of deionised water (is what I used - gone up to 52 p)
quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjs
Isnt it hygroscopic (like brake fluid)?
