Anti-freeze question
 

I had the anti-freeze in an old 306 checked. It was OK to -15 degrees but chap said it had the old blue anti-freeze in and he couldn't top this up with the newer red coloured longer life stuff which is all he had.

Anyone know anything about this and is the old blue stuff still available?

-15 should be safe enough?

David

Hi David,
Can't really help with Peugeots as never had anything to do with them.

But it does sound like the same situation that the old vauxhall s had.

They had a green and a red , and couldn't be mixed as they used to react with each other , one would cancel the other out if you get my drift?

May be worth doing a complete change onto the new stuff?

IMHO minus 15 isn't quite enough, but that depends on if your car is garaged at night, and things like if you live on the top of a hill where you could get more windchill as such
:thumb:

Thanks Steve, tbh I didn't know different cars used different stuff :)

Garage - I wish :cry: Car is parked in side street in Bristol so fairly well protected. Since my post I phoned Halfrauds and they still sell the old stuff so may try that. And I have a couple of other cars which will have the old type of anti-freeze. Would save draining system and I am not even sure "modern" cars have a drain plug on the block or somewhere?

David

The new OAT stuff (usually red, but different manufacturers use different colours so don't use this as a fool-proof guide) is not compatible with the traditional ethylene glycol antifreeze which was standard until early 00s. Apparently the two can react to form a sort of jelly to block up your coolant system. OAT can also cause issues with rotting soldered joints found in older cars, so you're safest sticking with what you know works and replacing with ethylene glycol. It's still available, just avoid the stuff that's branded as long-life, advanced or similar.

Thanks Scoobyster. Useful to know. David

Unless you live in Scotland I would imagine minus 15 should be enough. The 306 has a drain plug at the bottom of the radiator.

Thats the first I have heard about anti freeze incompatibilty. Bit of a worry really, too easy to make a bad mistake over that.

Les

Probably says something on the bottle but who reads the small print?

dl

For peace of mind best draining the lot and refilling with the same stuff, saves any hasltle of them reacting with 2 brands.

-25c is the normal spec. As a rule they are all ethylene glycol, but have different additives to give longer life etc. Its not a good idea to mix colours. The red and blue mixed is well known to go lumpy.. not good.

Blue a / f is sold at almost every motor factor in the land. Mix 50/50 for -25 to -35c.
Blue tends to last 2 years. You can buy cheap testers - a good buy.

If playing with a / f be aware drinking even a small qty is fatal, and fatal to dogs etc so be very very mindful if you spill any. Its sweet so kids have been known to drink it!