what colour antifreeze ?

[Johnboyw]

I am a new Stag owner and wondering what colour antifreeze I should use ? My Haynes manual says any to BS3151 but that seems to be an old reference number ? Confused !!

[Jeff]

Do a search in the search thread box. Loads of info there.

[new to this]

use the blue antifreeze, my brother used to use pink which was ok untilll he had a leak,and added welseal to the system,the two reacted together and caused lumps in the cooling system,the whole thing had to be stripped down and flushed out

Dave

[DJT]

There are several choices: Blue, blue, blue, blue or blue. Your decision......

[milothedog]

My car has been running OAT (Red) for 8 years/12K miles now with no issues

[marshman]

Surely it depends on what is currently in the system unless the system is going to be drained, thoroughly flushed, then refilled. My preference these days is for OAT or red (note its not entirely wise to go on colour alone to identify the antifreeze type). Have been using OAT for over 10 years in all my cars - classic and modern, never had a problem. Peter at LDParts also rdcomends it.

Roger

[Andrew S]

Whatever you do don't change the colour unless you do a chemical flush as the two don't mix. I have the red OAT and no probs

[Johnboyw]

Johnboyw

Surely it depends on what is currently in the system unless the system is going to be drained, thoroughly flushed, then refilled. My preference these days is for OAT or red (note its not entirely wise to go on colour alone to identify the antifreeze type). Have been using OAT for over 10 years in all my cars - classic and modern, never had a problem. Peter at LDParts also rdcomends it.

Roger

Just acquired the car and think that there's just water present at the moment. Car has been off the road for six years and the guy that sold it to me no longer wants to know!! I will drain some off and check. Thanks for your advice.

[Seaking]

Give it a good chemical flush with a central heating flush as that is good for cooper aluminium and all other metals or go to halfords and buy their version. I use the one recommended by Peter At LD PArts

good enough for Peter good enough for me (pink)

Cheers Glenn

[HersnotHis]

Just acquired the car and think that there's just water present at the moment. Car has been off the road for six years and the guy that sold it to me no longer wants to know!! I will drain some off and check. Thanks for your advice.

Hi yes one should not be talking antifreeze but coolant.

The stag should have a coolant mixture with corrosion inhibitors all year round. Various opinions on here as to what is best but seems that 33% blue to water is most common recommendation. However please note that water should be de-Ionised s sold at Halfords etc. or elsewhere forbatery top up, steam irons again etc. Alternatively filter water from a rain butt and use this.

HTH

H

[Arbman Al]

I heard recently on another car forum that oat antifreeze attacks soldered joints like in heater matrixes.

[tractorjames]

I run green OAT coolant with no probs. Comes ready mixed and the stuff i use is specified to prevent corrosion in aluminium components.

James

[marshman]

I heard recently on another car forum that oat antifreeze attacks soldered joints like in heater matrixes.

I have heard this as well along with comments/statements that OAT attacks some older types of gasket material. However, as I said I have been using it for over 10 years in various cars, some dating back to the 1950s which have loads of copper, solder and brass, with no ill effects, and yes I have drained the systems down to work on some of the cars and looked at "vulnerable" components (radiator and heater) and everything looked clean and un-corroded. Another thing is that the OAT (red) coolant always comes out looking as clean and clear as when it went in - even after 5 years.

I have also changed several cars over from the blue/green to OAT and all I have ever done is to make sure they have been thoroughly flushed through with water. I have never used a chemical flush I would have thought that would be used more to clean the water ways than to mitigate any possible effects of changing coolant types.

Roger

[Arbman Al]

I have heard this as well along with comments/statements that OAT attacks some older types of gasket material. However, as I said I have been using it for over 10 years in various cars, some dating back to the 1950s which have loads of copper, solder and brass, with no ill effects, and yes I have drained the systems down to work on some of the cars and looked at "vulnerable" components (radiator and heater) and everything looked clean and un-corroded. Another thing is that the OAT (red) coolant always comes out looking as clean and clear as when it went in - even after 5 years.

I have also changed several cars over from the blue/green to OAT and all I have ever done is to make sure they have been thoroughly flushed through with water. I have never used a chemical flush I would have thought that would be used more to clean the water ways than to mitigate any possible effects of changing coolant types.

Roger

Thanks Roger. Having already bought blue, I'll use that for the time being. Maybe change next time.

Cheers...Al.