300TDi coolant type

While replacing the PAS pump last weekend, I took off the top rad hose to get easier access - which obviously then required topping up the coolant.

Looking in the manual, it says to use ethylene glycol based antifreeze, however the stuff currently in there is red - which I would associate with OAT. Is there any easy way of finding out what is actually in there, as obviously I don't want to mix them?

I topped it up with water for now, but will need to sort out the concentration before the winter...

Nope no easy way. Why not test the antifreeze strength it may be still ok, u have got a tester haven't you. although you could replace the coolant with OAT and forget about doing it again for the next 5 years.

discool said:

Nope no easy way. Why not test the antifreeze strength it may be still ok, u have got a tester haven't you. although you could replace the coolant with OAT and forget about doing it again for the next 5 years.

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5 years :rofl:it will need the waterpump, headgasket or rad fixing in that time

SteNova said:

5 years :rofl:it will need the waterpump, headgasket or rad fixing in that time

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You must be speaking from experience as I, but when I had to replace my pump due to a failed bearing I saved the coolant I drained and reused, topping up any loss with a 50/50 mix as needed, around two litres
That's the only issue I've had in the 13 years of using OAT.

I would never save coolant, its not worth the hassle

discool said:

That's the only issue I've had in the 13 years of using OAT.

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Don't want to sound like a knob (but going to do it anyway) - what's OAT?

auf_wiedersehen_pet said:

Don't want to sound like a knob (but going to do it anyway) - what's OAT?

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here you go...Antifreeze - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thor1950 said:

here you go...Antifreeze - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Cheers

discool said:

Nope no easy way. Why not test the antifreeze strength it may be still ok, u have got a tester haven't you. although you could replace the coolant with OAT and forget about doing it again for the next 5 years.

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I haven't, but they look cheap enough... I'll test the strength then drain and replace if it's much too weak...

I thought 300tdi's shouldn't use red AF?

Saltlick said:

I thought 300tdi's shouldn't use red AF?

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No they left the factory with the Rover's green-yellowish antifreeze which requires replacement every two years.

er, ok....
I'm not sure that contradicts my definition of 'red' though?!

So is that;
'No [they shouldn't use red] they left the factory with the Rover's green-yellowish antifreeze...'
or
'No [they should use red because] they left the factory with the Rover's green-yellowish antifreeze...[but purple antifreeze is more awesome]'

?

Saltlick said:

er, ok....
I'm not sure that contradicts my definition of 'red' though?!

So is that;
'No [they shouldn't use red] they left the factory with the Rover's green-yellowish antifreeze...'
or
'No [they should use red because] they left the factory with the Rover's green-yellowish antifreeze...[but purple antifreeze is more awesome]'

?

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I see.. Shouldn't ...I need an eye test but don't go by the colour of antifreeze to signify that is OAT.

I'm in my 13th year of using OAT which is reddish but then its not a Tdi, but then I don't see why not with that engine.
I also own a modern classic car and I just use the blue stuff replaced every two or three years to stop any corrosion , don't really need pthe antifreeze part as it's kept end in the garage in the winter,