V8 classic - which coolant?

AdamHarley · Oct 30, 2014

Hi, I've just had my radiator recorded and refitted it today. The antifreeze/coolant I got from the motor factors is blue. The stuff that was in there was red. I think there is a difference so am concerned which is right. They checked there computer with my reg number and suggest the one I have.

It's Comma Super Coldmaster which on website says it's ok for aluminium engines.

When I drained the system it only filled just over half a bucket. I took the radiator hoses off but nothing else. The expansion tank is empty. Should I have drained more? Internet suggests mixing red and blue is not good.

Help appreciated

Thanks

ukadamwest · Oct 30, 2014

No mixing is not good, every time you do it god kills a fluffy bunny. Mixing coolant types can cause a chemical reaction and cause it to gel.

I would flush it and flush it x2

As for the volume being half a bucket.. how big is your bucket ?

AdamHarley · Oct 30, 2014

Cool. I'll flush it. Is it as simple as running a hose though the top filler with the bottom hose off?

Any thoughts on blue vs. red?

200tdi ayre · Oct 30, 2014

Blue is generally standard red is generally OAT.

OAT goes to lower temperatures and lasts longer and is fitted as standard on new vehicles but for the love of god dont spill any on your fanbelt or youll never get it tp stop squealing

Datatek · Oct 30, 2014

200tdi ayre said:
Blue is generally standard red is generally OAT.

OAT goes to lower temperatures and lasts longer and is fitted as standard on new vehicles but for the love of god dont spill any on your fanbelt or youll never get it tp stop squealing

Over here, Red is Ethylene glycol based and is termed organic, other colours seem to be monpropylene glycol, both say they can be mixed on the containers. No idea of the rights and wrongs but personally I don't mix different types.
As long as the stuff meets the appropriate manufacturer specs I don't care what colour it is.

AdamHarley · Oct 30, 2014

The bucket was 10 litres and there was quite a lot on the floor as well!

It's kept in the garage so I don't need super low temp protection

ukadamwest · Oct 30, 2014

Cool. I'll flush it. Is it as simple as running a hose though the top filler with the bottom hose off?

you need to make sure that it flushes the entire system, water pump, cooling channels in the block, radiator.

Thankfully we're not in the cold weather yet i would keep flushing it over the next few days till it runs clear through the whole system.

tomcat59alan · Oct 31, 2014

ukadamwest said:
you need to make sure that it flushes the entire system, water pump, cooling channels in the block, radiator.

Thankfully we're not in the cold weather yet i would keep flushing it over the next few days till it runs clear through the whole system.

And take the opportunity to flush your heater as well, winter's on its way.

tomcat59alan · Oct 31, 2014

ukadamwest said:
No mixing is not good, every time you do it god kills a fluffy bunny.

It's not God, it's ME, love rabbit stew

cooltide · Oct 31, 2014

I asked the auto parts about this.
Guy reckoned the blue wasn't good for modern gaskets.

tomcat59alan · Oct 31, 2014

cooltide said:
I asked the auto parts about this.
Guy reckoned the blue wasn't good for modern gaskets.

What he really meant was that the blue is cheaper

wammers · Oct 31, 2014

If it is a V8 classic it will have had blue antifreeze as standard. Either red or blue can be used but flush well if changing over from one to the other.

AdamHarley · Oct 31, 2014

Thanks for the advice. I flushed it until it all ran clear and then filled with water only. I will drain and refill in a day or two and put the antifreeze in. Still not sure which is best to go for! No mixing though!

wammers · Oct 31, 2014

AdamHarley said:
Thanks for the advice. I flushed it until it all ran clear and then filled with water only. I will drain and refill in a day or two and put the antifreeze in. Still not sure which is best to go for! No mixing though!

Best is the red coolant, it lasts longer.Two years between changes for blue coolant five years for red coolant.

zen · Nov 1, 2014

as above, but red will find any weak spots!..you got any dodgy gaskets, pipes, etc it will find its way out..
however its what i use..50/50 mix...the inside of engine (water ways ) look as new..

nasty **** though, dont get it down your throat or in cuts etc..

AdamHarley · Nov 1, 2014

Thanks for comments about using red. It had red in it so hopefully the engine is used to it?

Datatek · Nov 1, 2014

wammers said:
Best is the red coolant, it lasts longer.Two years between changes for blue coolant five years for red coolant.

So where does that leave yellow and green coolant? Almost all seem to have the same constituants

V8 classic - which coolant?

AdamHarley

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ukadamwest

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AdamHarley

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200tdi ayre

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Datatek

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AdamHarley

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tomcat59alan

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cooltide

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wammers

No longer with us, RIP

AdamHarley

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wammers

No longer with us, RIP

zen

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