Technical Coolant Life??

[Muppet1]

Right my car has the orange coolent in it, Never been changed is there a way of testing it or should i just get it changed.
Would i have to use the same stuff as whats in there and im guessing its fiat coolent.
I dont know how long it can be left in the car so might change it before the winter.

Thanks.

 

[B3NNETT]

Right my car has the orange coolent in it, Never been changed is there a way of testing it or should i just get it changed.
Would i have to use the same stuff as whats in there and im guessing its fiat coolent.
I dont know how long it can be left in the car so might change it before the winter.

Thanks.

you can test it with a antifreeze tester (not sure if it has a specific name or not)
i think the recomended life of coolant is 2 years but not 100% sure if its the same with fiats.
it doesnt have to be fiat coolant but it would be better as then you know definately its right

 

[Kirbs]

Right my car has the orange coolent in it, Never been changed I dont know how long it can be left in the car so might change it before the winter.

i think the recomended life of coolant is 2 years but not 100% sure if its the same with fiats.

I'm sure it's 2 years as well (same as brake fluid). Better to be safe than sorry, although if you've ever had the car serviced you should check the recipt as they usually replace the radiator fluid and this will be detailed on your receipt.

 

[beau]

blue coolant is 2 yrs.
red coolant is 5 yrs.

 

[french bean]

Don't mix the two together otherwise you'll get a sludge that blocks all the waterways with dire consequences.

 

[Muppet1]

Cheers, A job for next time im home then.

Thanks all.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

blue coolant is 2 yrs.
red coolant is 5 yrs.

But have recomended change intervals for every two years according to all car litrature, although some red coolants claim 5 years on the bottle.

Personally, I'd do it every 2 years.

Don't mix the two together otherwise you'll get a sludge that blocks all the waterways with dire consequences.

:yeahthat:

Nothing a full flush won't prevent though. I pefer the red stuff personally.

Jon.

 

[12[X]]

blue has been withdrawn from stilo range due to causing pump failure (not enough lubricant) sadly not before blowing my pump though

 

[Argonought]

blue has been withdrawn from stilo range due to causing pump failure (not enough lubricant)

That's a very interesting post.

That's official is it ?

 

[12[X]]

according to my dealer that carried out the work under warranty (if it wasn't official they would have claimed it was due to my fault..erm lack of maintenance that is..the car was one day away from 3 years..) although i've no idea if fiat would confirm this..

 

[dan-the-man]

I'd always go for red coolant, honestly though the average car owner will never have their coolant changed, oil, air filter and spark plugs if they think about it.

When I bought the mr2 it had no antifreeze in it and froze up a couple of days after i bought it, I should have checked really lol got a heater on it and changed it for a mix of 70% antifreeze 30% water and all is fine

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

and changed it for a mix of 70% antifreeze 30% water and all is fine

I assume that was the correct mix for that anti-freeze

 

[dan-the-man]

yea 70% was the maximum antifreeze to water, it was the middle of winter when I did it

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

yea 70% was the maximum antifreeze to water, it was the middle of winter when I did it

Lol. Yeah, I do max, so on the basis that if I have to do an emergency top-up with just water, the mix will still be adiquate

 

[Kirbs]

When I bought the mr2 it had no antifreeze in it and froze up a couple of days after i bought it

I remember when the ex wife always topped up her radiator with water and refused to let me pay 99p for a bottle of anti-freeze. Low and behold 2 days later her engine overheated 'cos the radiator fluid had frozen solid:bang:. Do you know how long you have to stand around waiting for a frozen radiator to thaw? Someday I'll tell you the story of why she ignored the oil warning light on the next car I bought her.

 

[12[X]]

aww dats soo cute on the bright side - at least the radiator didn't pop

 

[Andymacselespeed]

Red coolants fine for 5 years. As long as it is good quality, Unipart do a big 25 litre bottle I believe. When you change over to using the red stuff, its worth draining, then filling with water, running for a bit, draining, filling with clean water, running, draining then filling with red coolant. Its best bought premixed. VW have been using it as standard for ages, theres is G12.

Its weird stuff, it feels a bit greasy between fingers.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Red coolants fine for 5 years.

Says who? Is this fact or your personal opinion

 

[B3NNETT]

Says who? Is this fact or your personal opinion

its supposed to be 4-5years on manufactures recomendation, but personnaly i wouldnt trust it and still change evry 2 years

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

its supposed to be 4-5years on manufactures recomendation,

Yea but that's coolant manufactures reconmendations isn't it? Not Fiats