Coolant change info please

[Ritchie6]

Just wondered if I could get some info regarding changing my coolant. I've only had my Stag for a few weeks but intend to change the coolant shortly as I've no idea how long it's been in the car. It looks fairly clean and is blue rather than a rusty colour. I've got some AutoChem blue antifreeze,which is made by Tetrosyl who are a manufacturer that I've heard of so it should be reasonable quality. I intend to do a 50:50 mix but wondered is it necessary to use distilled or de-ionised water? I have absolutely no overheating trouble and on a run the temp gauge sits at about 11 O'clock on the dial. Any tips or hints would be most welcome as I'm a bit nervous about cocking it up given how temperamental these engines can be sometimes.

many thanks

Richard

[StagManiac]

Hi Richard. Many people do not use deionised or distilled water. Some use boiled water. I do tend to use deionised water in all of my cars. It's less than £4 a gallon from Halfords and quite possibly cheaper elsewhere. At least that way, it is impossible for limescale to build up and fur up the insides of your cooling system. As you say, mix the anti-freeze 50:50 with the water. Better still, follow the instructions on the anti-freeze container.

Your temperature gauge sitting at about 11 o'clock sounds about right.

Just so you are aware, my Stag is in the throes of a very lengthy restoration at present. It has not been on the road for over 25 years. However, I use deionised water in all of my cars and always have.

Paul

[Goldstar]

Richard I use tap water though if you have de-ionised water (from a dehumidifier etc) use that in preference. 50/50 is a higher concentration than called for from the ROM which from memory is 30% antifreeze which should be fine - unless you are expecting a cold snap to minus 36

You're looking for the anti corrosion properties of the anti freeze as much as the anti freezing so 30% is sufficient as it will protect you down to at least -16 but 50% won't hurt. Your choice really.

[jcslocum]

Distilled water is 4 quid a gallon in the UK??? Wow, I thought the fuel prices were crazy but that is just NUTS!! Under $1 here. Maybe I should begin sending it over there :-)

Use distilled water. No reason to introduce any extra minerals into an already somewhat compromised cooling system.

[Guest]

I use distilled water with a 33(ish)% mix with unipart glycol.

[Lingen]

Richard.
A 50/50 mix is more than would ever be needed for U.K.temperatures. 33% (1/3rd) is more than enough, and changing it after three years or so will preserve the anti-corrosion properties of the coolant.
The down side to having extra antifreeze is that it reduces the thermal capacity of the coolant. ie. it won't be able to shift the heat away from the engine as well. As the Stag cooling system can be bit marginal on hot days, there is no point in making it less efficient unnecessarily.
Mike.

[wilf]

Rainwater is a cheap substitute for distilled or de-ionized water, and easy to come by.

I have a "dissolved solids" meter I use for checking the condition of final rinse water when using a special filter for car detailing, and the rainwater in my butt shows "12", the tap water here shows "300".

So I have used (free) rainwater for all radiator (and screenwash) refills for years.

[jcslocum]

and the rainwater in my butt shows "12", the tap water here shows "300".

You Brits are a strange lot but this is very strange!!

[StagManiac]

Rainwater is a cheap substitute for distilled or de-ionized water, and easy to come by.

Good point, wilf. When I rebuild my garage, hopefully beginning soon, I plan to incorporate a water butt in my roof drainage. Rainwater, as you say, is ideal both for cooling systems and for rinsing a car during the wash process.

Paul

[StagManiac]

You Brits are a strange lot but this is very strange!!

You know it!

Paul

[Kithmo]

The rainwater in my roof drainage butt contains all sorts of crud, sand and grit from the roof tiles, sand and chemical residues from the felt on the flat roof, acid rain, etc. It would need some serious processing before I'd use it for anything but watering the garden.

[StagJonno]

If you use a window cleaner for your house and he uses the long water-fed brushes from ground level, chances are he will be using filtered deionised water. Ours does and I get mine for free (well a cuppa when he calls )

Jonno

[KOY 23]

Rainwater is a cheap substitute for distilled or de-ionized water, and easy to come by.

I have a "dissolved solids" meter I use for checking the condition of final rinse water when using a special filter for car detailing, and the rainwater in my butt shows "12", the tap water here shows "300".

So I have used (free) rainwater for all radiator (and screenwash) refills for years.

Too much information and too close to teatime.

[wilf]

Dirty boy!

[DJT]

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