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Car radiator
- Thread starter Cappers
- Start date
happypig
Staring at the rude boys
Depends on the car. probably best to check the owners manual. You might want to think about why it needs topping up though; is there a leak somewhere?
How low is the level?
Rowdey
Well-known member
Very rarely, some vehicles need red coolant rather than blue, but it will show it on a sticker on the expansion tank lid.
Other than that, any will do.
Other than that, any will do.
Rowdey
Well-known member
In 25 years of owning and servicing my own cars and topping up with regular 'Halfords' blue i've never ever had a problem..
That said, it does appear that you need to be careful with what you use, as there are incompatibility issues with some engine parts and corrosion..so check your owners manual..
What a f***ing faff, honestly..
That said, it does appear that you need to be careful with what you use, as there are incompatibility issues with some engine parts and corrosion..so check your owners manual..
What a f***ing faff, honestly..
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,854
you shouldnt mix coolants (not sure why, do they seperate?), so if you dont know whats in there, just add water. replace after a few top-ups mind.
I bought a coolant from Halfords a couple of years that said it was specifically designed to be used for topping up, it was red but said you could mix it with any other. It was fine but I think it is only supposed to be a temporary measure until your next service.
Trufflehound
Re-enfranchised
Just top it up with petrol next time you're at the pump. Saves a journey. 
Blimey, I tip anything in mine, just depends on whatever's cheapest - I think there's half a bottle of cooking sherry in there at the moment. I'd just assumed all that "don't mix" stuff on the bottles was because they only wanted you to use their brand. And yes, I should find out why it needs constantly topping up.
Apparently if you pour in a can of Stella it makes your car more aggresive and you're likely to smash into other cars for no reason.
Box of Frogs
Zamoras Left Boot
If you are only topping up to get you to a garage then water will do, shirley? If the problem is ultimately traced to a part of the cooling system that needs replacing then the whople system will need to be drained anyway, then refilled with new coolant/water once repaired.
car radiator
It actually depends on the car. I agree that some vehicles need red coolant while other are blue. Nevertheless, if you really want a car radiator or radiator parts, I suggest you visit racepages site.
It actually depends on the car. I agree that some vehicles need red coolant while other are blue. Nevertheless, if you really want a car radiator or radiator parts, I suggest you visit racepages site.
Garage_Doors
Originally the Swankers
In 30 years i have only ever put tap water in mine.
The garage can do the checks for the antifreeze and adjust mixture ratio when servicing it.
The garage can do the checks for the antifreeze and adjust mixture ratio when servicing it.
Rowdey
Well-known member
The difference between blue and red coolants are their 'enviromental' hazard status - red is the new blue (and greener..)
Bwian
Kiss my (_!_)
- Jul 14, 2003
- 15,898
They are also incompatible as I mentioned in a previous post-do not mix them. Being in the trade I've seen many expensive bills as a result of mixing coolants.
I noticed the level of my coolant had gone down a little a couple of months back, as it was due a service a few weeks later I thought I would leave it.
Bad move!
The car died on me!
The leakage meant I needed a new radiator and a new gearbox, because apparently it cooled this as well (auto gearbox). The car was 1 month out of warranty and was quoted 3k By Steeles of Worthing, eventually after several phone calls to Vauxhall managed to get the works carried out under warranty.
Seems there was a know fault with certain Astra's and Steeles hadn't checked the radiator on the previous service despite instruction from Vauxhall. Could of saved alot of hassle if they had!
Bad move!
The car died on me!
The leakage meant I needed a new radiator and a new gearbox, because apparently it cooled this as well (auto gearbox). The car was 1 month out of warranty and was quoted 3k By Steeles of Worthing, eventually after several phone calls to Vauxhall managed to get the works carried out under warranty.
Seems there was a know fault with certain Astra's and Steeles hadn't checked the radiator on the previous service despite instruction from Vauxhall. Could of saved alot of hassle if they had!