My Panda is just over 10 years old and I have no idea when the coolant / antifreeze was last changed.

At 10, I could assume after 5 years it was and now at 10, it needs done sooner rather than later. Again, no idea how recently it's been done if at all. I assume changing it again to be safe even if it's been done this year won't do any harm whereas leaving it might.

I don't know how to check if it needs done firstly, I know I can check the level and peak into the reservoir, but it making sure it's a pink ish colour really do it in terms of saying it's okay to leave?

I also don't know which brand / type Fiat recommends. What type do you all use and why?

And finally, is a flush necessary? Seen some videos online showing people loosening and refastening hoses all over their engines which seems quite complex to me. Is that necessary?

Looking forward to hearing replies and getting the right tools and fluids bought!

Thanks

You can get an antifreeze tester from the likes of Hellfrauds relatively cheaply. It tests to see the amount of ethanol glycol there is in it and will give you a guide as to the temperature it will protect your car down to.

SB1500 said:

My Panda is just over 10 years old and I have no idea when the coolant / antifreeze was last changed.

I don't know how to check if it needs done firstly, I know I can check the level and peak into the reservoir, but it making sure it's a pink ish colour really do it in terms of saying it's okay to leave?

I also don't know which brand / type Fiat recommends. What type do you all use and why?
And finally, is a flush necessary?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Hi,
pretty sure from the factory your coolant would've been
BLUE (EthyleneGlycol)

modern cars tend to run the PINK (OAT) coolant,

I suspect yours HAS been changed at least once..BUT OAT coolant has been around for a while..so no guarantee it was recent

AFAIK all of the OAT brands will mix with each other, so it's a good choice for your new fill,

Flushing - can be worthwhile, however draining the system will be a bit messy / time consuming,ant you need to open some vents to prevent airlocks.

TBH - easiest method is to remove the hose from the lower radiator joint, coolant will come from both RAD + Hose at the same time, and system will then be basically empty.

look in the GUIDES - Punto for a selection of guides covering the coolant change / bleeding ,
Charlie

Wee Smurf said:

You can get an antifreeze tester from the likes of Hellfrauds relatively cheaply. It tests to see the amount of ethanol glycol there is in it and will give you a guide as to the temperature it will protect your car down to.

Click to expand...

that will tell the mix strength..,

there is / WAS a corrosion inhibitor in coolant that had a relatively short life,
2 or 3 years..,

not sure you can readily test that..,

J - are Smurfs Nocturnal..? you seem to post at 2am

varesecrazy said:

J - are Smurfs Nocturnal..? you seem to post at 2am

Click to expand...

Obviously they have to hide from Gargamel and Azraël during the days

gr J

varesecrazy said:

J - are Smurfs Nocturnal..? you seem to post at 2am

Click to expand...

Out of necessity, they're light sleepers and the wind and rain bashing off my window had me wide awake!

So if my Panda came with blue.. But I find it's been running on red for a while and working fine, am I okay to go ahead and top up or replace it with more red fluid? Even if it's a different brand? - no way to tell what brand is inside :-o

And does the brand matter? Seeing this Prestone brand around everywhere ready-mixed. Considering that!

Will check out the guides sections too.

Checked out my coolant. Bright and link. Just under the max line.

I think that's all the evidence I need to assume it's fine for another year?

Something alarming I did see.. My radiator. Packed with stones and scores.

If you're unsure you should change imo. You can get ready mix 5l for £9 from carparts4less oat pink mix. It's a really easy job.

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/p/////?523770511&0&cc5_866

varesecrazy said:

modern cars tend to run the PINK (OAT) coolant,

AFAIK all of the OAT brands will mix with each other, so it's a good choice for your new fill,


look in the GUIDES - Punto for a selection of guides covering the coolant change / bleeding ,

Click to expand...

as above

So the underneath of the car has a single hose I can disconnect which will let most of the coolant drain out,

reconnect it,

then re-fill with water, let the car heat up, add water to the max mark of the tank until it circulates around. Once operating temperature is reached, turn it off. Allow to cool.

disconnect the hose underneath the car, let the water drain..

reconnect it,

fill with pre-mix antifreeze, re-connect hose, allow to heat up, cool down, add more as needed to stay at just below max mark?

Job done?



And also, anyone know if that radiator pic is okay? Seems to be a lot of stones lodged in there

SB1500 said:

So the underneath of the car has a single hose I can disconnect which will let most of the coolant drain out,

reconnect it,

then re-fill with water, let the car heat up, add water to the max mark of the tank until it circulates around. Once operating temperature is reached, turn it off. Allow to cool.

disconnect the hose underneath the car, let the water drain..

reconnect it,

fill with pre-mix antifreeze, re-connect hose, allow to heat up, cool down, add more as needed to stay at just below max mark?

Job done?



And also, anyone know if that radiator pic is okay? Seems to be a lot of stones lodged in there

Click to expand...

Thats the basics of the job yes - you MAY need to cut off the hose clip and replace with a Jubilee type.. did you read the Punto guides?

Mose rads FINS are knocked about..carefully look for leaks..if it doesnt leak..itll be fine

I'm awaiting to hear back from previous owner (my sister) who will let me know form her mechanic if it's had the coolant/antifreeze changed and when so I know when I need to renew it. She owned the car for the past two years so it could well need done! Might have been done this year meaning I'll leave it otherwise.

Can I use any OAT antifreeze without worrying about contamination etc?


Couldn't find the Punto guides, will re-look now!

SB1500 said:

I'm awaiting to hear back from previous owner (my sister) who will let me know form her mechanic if it's had the coolant/antifreeze changed and when so I know when I need to renew it. She owned the car for the past two years so it could well need done! Might have been done this year meaning I'll leave it otherwise.

Can I use any OAT antifreeze without worrying about contamination etc?


Couldn't find the Punto guides, will re-look now!

Click to expand...

here 1 of the guides ;
https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk1-guides/43906-bleeding-cooling-system-8v-16v-petrol-engines.html

AFAIK all the OAT coolants are compatible, you can always ask - :idea: where you buy it..,

IF you are going to flush with water - it wont really matter as it'll ALL be what you buy..

Okay, and I'm seeing mixed opinions online about tap water vs. distilled. Distilled is cheap enough, around £5 for 5L but waiting for delivery etc is a problem.

Also, can't see any leading brands for antifreeze and don't think I'd trust Halfords for quality on anything. Going to go with Prestone ready mixed so far.


What about these anti-rust agents and additives you can pour in? My car is 10 years old so does it qualify to benefit from this?

Sorry, but I am clueless.