Why has my coolant suddenly changed colour?

Saint.V8 · Oct 17, 2012

2003 4.4 Vogue V8 on Gas....

History -

Stat replaced 6-7 weeks ago
Pin prick hole in Rad from unfortunate stone chip
Losing about 1.5 litres in 2 weeks
Keep topping up with 50/50
Rad due to be replaced in Novemeber (funds for rad went on fuel pump earlier this month)

Been using the blue coolant for topping up and the coolant colour has always been bluey/green in colour.

Topped up this evening (in the dark by torch light) using Rad coolant as it was all I could get my hands on, so filled, and on burping the rad top hose, the coolant in the expansion tank rises and falls, this time as it rose I could see the colour and it is a murky brick red/brown/rusty colour...

Colour was fine yesterday (due to leak I check it every day to ensure sufficent amount)...

Could it be adding the Red coolant has mixed it up to be a odd colour??

As above, I am due to replace the Rad in a couple of weeks so the system will be drained and flushed prioir to refitment....

The Red coolant used isn't a watery red (like the blue) more of a translucent red....

Any clues?

rodntod · Oct 17, 2012

Saint.V8 said:
2003 4.4 Vogue V8 on Gas....

History -

Stat replaced 6-7 weeks ago

Pin prick hole in Rad from unfortunate stone chip

Losing about 1.5 litres in 2 weeks

Keep topping up with 50/50

Rad due to be replaced in Novemeber (funds for rad went on fuel pump earlier this month)

Been using the blue coolant for topping up and the coolant colour has always been bluey/green in colour.

Topped up this evening (in the dark by torch light) using Rad coolant as it was all I could get my hands on, so filled, and on burping the rad top hose, the coolant in the expansion tank rises and falls, this time as it rose I could see the colour and it is a murky brick red/brown/rusty colour...

Colour was fine yesterday (due to leak I check it every day to ensure sufficent amount)...

Could it be adding the Red coolant has mixed it up to be a odd colour??

As above, I am due to replace the Rad in a couple of weeks so the system will be drained and flushed prioir to refitment....

The Red coolant used isn't a watery red (like the blue) more of a translucent red....

Any clues?

Sounds as if mixing the 2 types of coolant has effected a rust removal inside the cooling system,maybe a chemical reaction but the brick red colour is a sign of corrosion.Might be a good time to flush it while its all loose in the system,no harm done.

Deasy · Oct 17, 2012

I thought you were only supposed to use OAT in the rangie?
And that mixing 2 colours could react and cause issues??

The Mad Hat Man · Oct 17, 2012

it will be fine until yu replace the rad.

ruffday · Oct 17, 2012

I have always been told never to mix the red with any other type of coolant as it could give major issues.
I could be wrong but I belive that the different chemicals used can start to turn into a jelly type substance.

The Mad Hat Man · Oct 17, 2012

ruffday said:
I have always been told never to mix the red with any other type of coolant as it could give major issues.
I could be wrong but I belive that the different chemicals used can start to turn into a jelly type substance.

That used to be the case many years ago. not any more. not advisable, but ok.

Saint.V8 · Oct 17, 2012

The Mad Hat Man said:
it will be fine until yu replace the rad.

ruffday said:
I have always been told never to mix the red with any other type of coolant as it could give major issues.
I could be wrong but I belive that the different chemicals used can start to turn into a jelly type substance.

Will be just over 2 weeks before Rad replacement (2 weeks till pay day and then it will be fitted that Saturday)....

MHM - do you think we are good for a couple of weeks??

Ruffday - can you cite references or links to horror stories?

The Mad Hat Man · Oct 17, 2012

Saint.V8 said:
Will be just over 2 weeks before Rad replacement (2 weeks till pay day and then it will be fitted that Saturday)....

MHM - do you think we are good for a couple of weeks?? no problem

Ruffday - can you cite references or links to horror stories? look in FAQ section.

no sweat.

Saint.V8 · Oct 17, 2012

The Mad Hat Man said:
no sweat.

Grand...

So school boy error - should have just topped up with a litre of water and then topped up with pure cololant on the next fill...!!!

We live an learn - I will be monitoring the colour/viscosity over the next few days in anycase!

2.0_hippo · Oct 17, 2012

has anyone got any idea's on how easy a coolant change is on the L322 ? any how to ?

as topped mine up with only water the other week as had no antifreeze, so mixture is now weak, which makes the "check coolant" error come up as it senses the mixture is too weak.

Thanks

ruffday · Oct 18, 2012

Saint.V8 said:
Will be just over 2 weeks before Rad replacement (2 weeks till pay day and then it will be fitted that Saturday)....

Ruffday - can you cite references or links to horror stories?

No as it was a long time ago but I kept it in mind.

The Red was origianally very corrosive but I have on idea these days.

Deasy · Oct 18, 2012

2.0_hippo said:
has anyone got any idea's on how easy a coolant change is on the L322 ? any how to ?

as topped mine up with only water the other week as had no antifreeze, so mixture is now weak, which makes the "check coolant" error come up as it senses the mixture is too weak.

Thanks

Coolant change in the l322 it dead easy, I did mine when I had to replace my water pumps

It's all in rave, need to take the underbody protection off to get to the bleed valve on the rad, will have to do it a couple of times to get a full flush though

If you want a how to give me a shout mate. I take it you have rave?

Deasy · Oct 18, 2012

Also referring to the wrong coolant, it may be a complete coincidence. But wil put quite abit of the wrong coolant in mine, and ran it

A few months later and iv had to replace hoses, main water pump, exchange water pump, rad, thermostat and iv developed a leak on my oil cooler

As I say. Possibly a coincidence but its cost me at lot of money

paulvasey · Oct 18, 2012

comma g48 coolant. £20 a gallon on fleabay, bargainous

Saint.V8 · Oct 18, 2012

Deasy said:
Also referring to the wrong coolant, it may be a complete coincidence. But wil put quite abit of the wrong coolant in mine, and ran it

A few months later and iv had to replace hoses, main water pump, exchange water pump, rad, thermostat and iv developed a leak on my oil cooler

As I say. Possibly a coincidence but its cost me at lot of money

Luckily I only topped up with 3/4 of a litre, so the other 16.5litres should dilute it nicely

Why has my coolant suddenly changed colour?

Saint.V8

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rodntod

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Deasy

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ruffday

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Saint.V8

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ruffday

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