Waterless coolant or instant head gasket fix?

Hi all, I've read the threads about the advantages and disadvantages of waterless coolant.

Currently trying to buy a v8 p38 or similar.

Viewed a later 4ltr v8 which the previous keeper had used waterless coolant.

What does this coolant feel like? I wiped the inside of the header tank with my finger. The stuff that came out felt thicker and stickier than water. Is this what you expect? What does "magic head gasket fix" feel like?

Through this forum (and others), I been taught to avoid these engines if they have any overheating history. Whilst this car was not overheating - it has an expensive replacement Radiator and new hoses. I'm thinking the previous keeper may not have been as informative as he might have been when selling the car to the (very pleasant, honest and helpfull) current owner.

I think I've answered my own question, sticky, gloopy liquid is not going to pass easily through the rad or the heater matrix. But still keen to hear your comments.

I've never used the stuff, I would think it's good stuff. What I think you'll find is as it cools down it thickens up so at normal running temp it's just a runny as water.

A Range Rover V8 with new rad and hoses + fancy coolant
Would give me cause for concern tbh.

I have no idea about this waterless coolant, but why would you need it on a completely standard setup?

Becareful.

J

Hi Rat. I did wonder if its consistency changed with temperature. I really need to see some unadulterated waterless coolant to be certain.

Hi Marjon. Yes, it did set off alarm bells. But my own p38 has never overheated (yet). However, the water pump started to leak. When I replaced it - I got a great deal on a sack of genuine hoses and thermostat. So anyone looking at my p38 could assume I had experienced overheating.

I probably just need to keep looking (and my partial wits about me).

But it would be good to know if anyone has handled waterless coolant in case I meet this again.

Many thanks both

kbs said:

Hi Marjon. Yes, it did set off alarm bells. But my own p38 has never overheated (yet). However, the water pump started to leak. When I replaced it - I got a great deal on a sack of genuine hoses and thermostat. So anyone looking at my p38 could assume I had experienced overheating.

Click to expand...

But you didn’t pay out a load of ££s for waterless coolant for no reason

And as a rule if 1 hose goes most here would suspect the others, so a deal on a set would not be out of the question would it?

J

My reasoning for the hose set (& thermostat) was the condition of the current hoses, age of current thermostat and my intention to keep the vehicle

What was causing my concern was the change of such parts shortly before selling the car. Perhaps I'm just a sceptical old farker, but if I saw one for sale with recent pump/thermostat/hoses (like mine), I would draw bad conclusions.

I have waterless coolant in my series and yes it’s more like brake fluid than water.
Nothing better to keep you paranoid about leaks as refilling the system costs a bleedin fortune.
I honestly havnt noticed any difference with performance but at least it’s not rusting the block no matter how often you top up.
You can’t use any water in an emergency either without completely ruining the mixture. A very small amount of water renders it useless.

Many thanks bobsticle. This stuff felt more oily than water based stuff. But it wasn't completely smooth. Wiping my finger through the upper part of the header tank resulted in some liquid with a thicker consistency.

I wondered if this might be a product (such as magic gasket fix) and not compatible with waterless coolant.

Either way, it doesn't sound like the car is "right". I will look for another.

Many thanks for the info.

K