12 replies to this topic

[Richie83]

I have a coolant leak on the thermostat housing and am planning on fixing this asap. At the same time I want to flush the system and change the coolant. This brings me on the question of which antifreeze/coolant is best for my 1996 SPi? I've search TMF and there's lots of threads but not a definitive answer as such. From what I have gleaned this is good stuff? What's your thoughts and what do you use or avoid?

 

[cal844]

I use the orange stuff... Most garages will have this capacity is 3.5 litres, mixed 50/50 antifreeze and water

[sledgehammer]

I always use blue , in A series & cast iron block / head

 

pink for ally head etc

 

can't remember what I used green for ?

 

the last of the mini's would have used pink - as rover went over to one type of antifreeze

 

but it wasn't ideal for the mini (or so I am told)

Edited by sledgehammer, 22 July 2014 - 10:18 PM.

[Richie83]

I always use blue , in A series & cast iron block / head
 
pink for ally head etc
 
can't remember what I used green for ?
 
the last of the mini's would have used pink - as rover went over to one type of antifreeze
 
but it wasn't ideal for the mini (or so I am told)

thanks for the advice. From what I've read blue is best, but is there a specific brand that's better?

[sledgehammer]

thanks for the advice. From what I've read blue is best, but is there a specific brand that's better?

 

I'm afraid I'm way too stingy & buy the cheapest - (so probably not the best)

 

but I did get Unipart cool blue , gec 8005 - it was cheap at the time

 

I've had a look on eBay & it's not on there ?

Edited by sledgehammer, 23 July 2014 - 04:17 PM.

[megamini_jb]

I use blue. Only the best for my mini. £1 shops finest ;) done the job well on my current and previous mini so I'm happy with it

Edited by megamini_jb, 23 July 2014 - 04:27 PM.

[sledgehammer]

I use blue. Only the best for my mini. £1 shops finest ;) done the job well on my current and previous mini so I'm happy with it

 

you must live in a posh area - we got a 99p shop here

[HarrysMini]

I use Triple QX blue ready mix in most cars I change the coolant on. It's often available for about 2 quid at Euro Car Parts for 5 litres. No messing about mixing water and coolant.

 

I use the orange stuff... Most garages will have this capacity is 3.5 litres, mixed 50/50 antifreeze and water

You have to be careful with this. There's red/pink and there's orange coolant, they are both very different and must not be mixed. I would suspect most garages use red, all the ones I've ever been in do.

 

Orange can only be used when the entire system has been flushed out, I think it is a more advanced coolant.

 

Green is fairly old and is actually quite hard to get at a decent price. I can't be sure on this, but I would imagine Minis would have come with green from new.

[Orange-Phantom]

Don't just go on the colour, different companies use different colours for their different types of antifreeze.  What you cannot do is mix a traditional type of IAT Ethylene Glycol antifreeze (normally blue but I have seen it being green) with an OAT Ethylene Glycol antifreeze (normally orange).

 

You need to find out what is already in the system and replace with the same type unless you do a complete system flush.  Mixing an IAT with an OAT antifreeze is a definite no!

 

The OAT coolant has a longer life in engines (usually 5 years) with the IAT types being around 2 but the OAT coolant is not compatible with systems containing yellow metals..

 

Personally I would use a good quality IAT antifreeze to a 50/50 antifreeze/distilled water mix and then stick with that type when changing your coolant every 2 years.

 

 

https://www.opieoils...ifreeze</b>.pdf

 

 

http://www.popularme...roducts/1272436

 

 

Also I use some of this to help assist with the cooling and further boost the corrosion protection.

 

http://www.millersoi...ctor=Motorsport

[Richie83]

Don't just go on the colour, different companies use different colours for their different types of antifreeze.  What you cannot do is mix a traditional type of IAT Ethylene Glycol antifreeze (normally blue but I have seen it being green) with an OAT Ethylene Glycol antifreeze (normally orange).
 
You need to find out what is already in the system and replace with the same type unless you do a complete system flush.  Mixing an IAT with an OAT antifreeze is a definite no!
 
The OAT coolant has a longer life in engines (usually 5 years) with the IAT types being around 2 but the OAT coolant is not compatible with systems containing yellow metals..
 
Personally I would use a good quality IAT antifreeze to a 50/50 antifreeze/distilled water mix and then stick with that type when changing your coolant every 2 years.
 
 
https://www.opieoils...ze</strong>.pdf
 
 
http://www.popularme...roducts/1272436
 
 
Also I use some of this to help assist with the cooling and further boost the corrosion protection.
 
http://www.millersoi...ctor=Motorsport

awesome advice, thank you. So what would you consider a good quality IAT?

[cal844]

I use Triple QX blue ready mix in most cars I change the coolant on. It's often available for about 2 quid at Euro Car Parts for 5 litres. No messing about mixing water and coolant.
 

I use the orange stuff... Most garages will have this capacity is 3.5 litres, mixed 50/50 antifreeze and water

You have to be careful with this. There's red/pink and there's orange coolant, they are both very different and must not be mixed. I would suspect most garages use red, all the ones I've ever been in do.
 
Orange can only be used when the entire system has been flushed out, I think it is a more advanced coolant.
 
Green is fairly old and is actually quite hard to get at a decent price. I can't be sure on this, but I would imagine Minis would have come with green from new.

Youd best tell my mate who has used the same coolant as me for the last 20 years

[sledgehammer]

http://www.popularme...roducts/1272436

 

^^ american - & shows the differences - but is confusing with the different country's / colours / brands

 

so -

 

red for ally radiators (oat)

 

blue for copper rads (iat)

 

is my guess

[MikeRotherham]

I use Bluecol the 2 year variety. Not the ready mixed, I prefer to mix it myself.

 

Regards

 

Mike.