Blue antifreeze

I am running a 200tdi which has quite happily run on the old fashioned ethylene glycol based blue engine coolant. I am looking to replace it with the same again but my question is: is blue coolent blue coolent?
I have previously used the triple QX concentrate (link), however on looking this time this (link) is cheaper (and avaiable for delivery rather than click and collect). Are all blue concentrates equal?

Can't directly answer your question, but I use this

Very good company to deal with and excellent products. I use their greases and oils, have a trolley jack and a couple of other bits from them and never had a complaint on quality, cost or delivery yet. I'm nothing to do with them, just like their stuff.

For a 200TDI, you really should use IAT, not OAT. The colour doesn’t really matter, so long as the Acid Technology is the correct one, Inorganic, not Organic.

dag019 said:

I am running a 200tdi which has quite happily run on the old fashioned ethylene glycol based blue engine coolant. I am looking to replace it with the same again but my question is: is blue coolent blue coolent?
I have previously used the triple QX concentrate (link), however on looking this time this (link) is cheaper (and avaiable for delivery rather than click and collect). Are all blue concentrates equal?

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Yes, if it is blue or green then it is the proper old fashioned stuff that is best used in these engines for correct protection of the gaskets etc. used in this era of engine.

Colour coding was implemented for identification purposes so all the branded coolants can be identified based on colour.

discomania said:

Yes, if it is blue or green then it is the proper old fashioned stuff that is best used in these engines for correct protection of the gaskets etc. used in this era of engine.

Colour coding was implemented for identification purposes so all the branded coolants can be identified based on colour.

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Don’t trust the colour as being definitive. Halfords sell a “blue” IAT and OAT.

mick 1986 said:

Don’t trust the colour as being definitive. Halfords sell a “blue” IAT and OAT.

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Stupid fools. They ought not to, there was a reason colour coding was introduced - I guess a good reason to use a good branded product.

I bought 20 litres of Comma IAT and 20litres of OAT. Blue and orange - dead easy for me to identify it in the garage as I have blue in the landy and orange in the cars and I keep some premixed as top-up stuff.

Read the label on the 2nd link carefully, says if used neat 100 percent it protects down to -23 degc, now Iirc 50/50 mix is good down to -30 degc.

discomania said:

Stupid fools. They ought not to, there was a reason colour coding was introduced - I guess a good reason to use a good branded product.

I bought 20 litres of Comma IAT and 20litres of OAT. Blue and orange - dead easy for me to identify it in the garage as I have blue in the landy and orange in the cars and I keep some premixed as top-up stuff.

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I was always taught the same as you, that’s why I was shocked last year when I went and bought 5ltrs of blue in Halfords. Reading the mixing ratios to get the correct protection and there it was OAT. I took it back, explained that it wasn’t IAT, and the guy looked at me like I had 3 heads. Never mind, he now understands there are 2 main types of coolant/antifreeze and has been educated.

mick 1986 said:

I was always taught the same as you, that’s why I was shocked last year when I went and bought 5ltrs of blue in Halfords. Reading the mixing ratios to get the correct protection and there it was OAT. I took it back, explained that it wasn’t IAT, and the guy looked at me like I had 3 heads. Never mind, he now understands there are 2 main types of coolant/antifreeze and has been educated.

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I find it very hard to believe a member of the halfords team isnt up to date with the latest tech

lynall said:

I find it very hard to believe a member of the halfords team isnt up to date with the latest tech

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I remember having an interesting discussion with them re. batteries!

Now I like going to Halfords, I like having a look about but rarely buy anything in there, I have a trade card and to be fair their battery prices are pretty good on trade, especially the Halfords "own" 4 year warranty ones which are Varta and do last very well. I wanted to know the CCA was on their own brand batteries, at the time it was not clear at all and transpired it was hidden under the stuck down part of the label. Given this is a pretty important piece of info I went and asked someone where it was stated, he took me to the battery shelves and pointed at the 75Ah - I said no the Cold Crank Amps, I would like to know what it is good for in starting conditions. I was told the 75Ah was the capacity and that is what I needed to know - I launched into lecture mode and explained it to the guy - every time I see him now he remembers me and gives me a nice hello and often stops for a chat!