Technical Engine coolant for MultiJet

[DraigFlag87]

I noticed my engine coolant was well below the min mark. Referring to the manual, it says "use 50% Paraflu up and 50% distilled water". I have neither and don't want to go on another journey with such low fluids. So i used "De-ionised water". Is it the same and will my car/water pump etc be OK? sorry, i know nothing about cars, hope it's not too late...

 

[trackdayqueen]

It'll be fine, don't worry about it.

Obviously make sure you don't dilute it too much as otherwise you'll lower the frost protection but a small amount won't make any difference.

 

[ScoobyChris]

Car should be fine, although I'd be concerned as to why the coolant level had dropped that low as it should never need topping up. Worth keeping an eye on it and checking to see if you can spot any leaks - the radiator and joints would be good places to check....

Chris

 

[DraigFlag87]

yes, i was a bit suspicious when i realised how low it was. I'd checked it a few weeks ago and thought it was low because the engine was hot. I'm having a piece of loose interior trim fitted hopefully at the end of the week so I'll ask the technicians to check for any leaks etc. cheers

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

And while you're there, buy a bottle of Paraflu UP (the red long life anti-freeze, only available at FIAT service stations) and buy a bottle of distiled water at Halfords, so you can make the 50% mix at home (you'll actually have 2 liter coolant that way, enough to top up your system for years....!!)

 

[richardllew]

My 12 month old Multijet has just been booked in for a new water pump after I noticed the leak while crawling about under the car. Although the level has only fallen to minimum, the leak has been there a month or two.

My advice is to let a dealer have a look if its still in warranty, its only 5 seconds to diagnose it. Its not a big job as it is driven by an auxiliary belt and not the cam drive.

Cheers

Richard

 

[DraigFlag87]

My 12 month old Multijet has just been booked in for a new water pump after I noticed the leak while crawling about under the car. Although the level has only fallen to minimum, the leak has been there a month or two.

My advice is to let a dealer have a look if its still in warranty, its only 5 seconds to diagnose it. Its not a big job as it is driven by an auxiliary belt and not the cam drive.

Cheers

Richard

thanks for the info but my nearest fiat garage is 50 miles away and i really needed some more fluid before i did another big trip, didn't want to risk it, should be ok now with a full reservoir of "deionized" water! (i hope...)

 

[trackdayqueen]

yes, i was a bit suspicious when i realised how low it was. I'd checked it a few weeks ago and thought it was low because the engine was hot. I'm having a piece of loose interior trim fitted hopefully at the end of the week so I'll ask the technicians to check for any leaks etc. cheers

When the engine is hot the level will go up in the expansion tank (as that's what it effectively does). Check it when cold.

 

[DraigFlag87]

When the engine is hot the level will go up in the expansion tank (as that's what it effectively does). Check it when cold.

There i go again, showing off with my extensive knowledge of cars! Thanks for putting me straight, i'm such a donut.

 

[doctorchris]

De-ionised and distilled water are the same. Basically, you want as near pure water as you can get without any dissolved ions (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, etc.) in it that would react with the inside of the cooling system.
I really do not believe that it is essential to use Paraflu to top up. Any pink coolant, eg Halfords own brand, would suffice. Some places sell coolant already diluted and ready to use which can be useful. Pink coolant is described as OAT (organic acid technology) and it is important not to mix it with other colours as its coolant and protective properties can be lost and in extreme cases gel can form, blocking the system.
I agree that the coolant falling below the minimum level suggests a leak somewhere unless you have done high miles since you last checked the level.
Look out for a pink encrustation at joins in the system or sniff around for the distinctive anti-freeze smell.

 

[DraigFlag87]

hmmm...I've just checked my coolant level again and it's gone down about 3 mm from the full mark after filling up! Is this natural? i only topped it up a few days/200 miles ago. If not, must be leaking. I suppose the pressure could have something to do with it? D'oh! just remembered i was supposed to buy some paraflu from the Fiat dealer today. Ah well.

Fix It Again Tony

 

[ScoobyChris]

3mm seems a lot in 200 miles as it's essentially a "sealed" system. Was the car cold both times?

Chris

 

[DraigFlag87]

3mm seems a lot in 200 miles as it's essentially a "sealed" system. Was the car cold both times?

Chris

yes, when i checked then refilled it was cold, and today when i checked it was luke warm but had a chance to cool off. Bit worried about it now...

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

You filled the system when the engine was cold to the max level...??
When the engine gets warm, coolant expands, and it may be thrown out, and evaporate before you see anything.
With engine cold, fill the reservoir till "MIN" not a drop more, and see what happens.
(and de-ionized water is NOT the same as distilled water, the last is completely "dead" water, while the first is not 100% clean, it is done in different ways, on the Paraflu bottle it says clearly: "dilute with distilled water...).
And yes, you can mix different OAT coolant, but since this is a young car, it's better to use what the factory put in: "Paraflu UP", UP=Ultra Protection.

 

[ScoobyChris]

When the engine gets warm, coolant expands, and it may be thrown out, and evaporate before you see anything.

Which part of the system does it evaporate from?

Chris

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

The pressure cap on the reservoir....!
It is factory designed to do that!
When you fill too much (cold engine, max level....!), coolant will come out at operating temperatures, not as liquid, but steam, thus evaporating before you see it, sometimes you can just smell it, and it will be just small amounts but enough to get you confused.......

 

[DraigFlag87]

ok now i am confused! just checked it again and it's almost on the min mark again, but i can't see any sign of leaks and the car has not been used at all today.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

It's normal, engine cold, coolant level low, engine hot, level high.....!!

When the level is at min now, with cold engine, it's just right.
Drive it, and notice the level coming up......when the engine is cooled down again, the coolant level should be at min again.
Only check it with cold engine (= coolant level at min!!)

 

[HP]

Not quite sure what you're aiming for there, but if the coolant is anywhere between min and max when the engine is cold it's ok. Doesn't matter if it goes over max a bit when hot.