Correct Coolant Type

[bobfreeman1954]

Hi

Sorry if this has been posted before - have searched but could not find an answer

Can someone advise what type of antifreeze should be used in a 2004 1.6 TF? Its a pretty red(ish) colour but I know that does not always mean it is an OAT type

Many thanks

Bob

[daz]

It needs to be an OAT antifreeze mixed with 50% de ionised water. I use the ready mixed stuff from eurocarparts, two of these does the trick:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_866

[RobboMC]

How sensitive should I be about the type of water used to mix with a coolant concentrate?

Over the decades with a long list of normal, 4WD and sports cars I have never really been too concerned about using
deminaralised water with the concentrate. My F coolant change is on the horizon ( probably Xmas holidays )
along with the obligatory water pump and timing belt change.

Should I be using deminaralised or distilled water, or use a reputable pre-mix??

[Fisher]

Good question. From my own perspective I always use deminaralized water, the reason being that our local tap water is extremely hard. You only have to look in your electric kettle to see that, and I dont wish to have a calcium buildup in the engine waterways.

So to answer your question I would see what type of water you have locally and work from that. Other may have a different opinion.

[Mike H]

Just for absolute clarity, in case anyone searches in future (and I have posted this previously ):

Early vehicles up to VIN No: 512771 use UNIPART Superplus 3 Anti-freeze and Summer Coolant GEC1020 - 20 litre and GEC 1002 2 litre to protect the cooling system. The coolant is yellow/green in colour.

Vehicles from VIN No: 512772 to Vin No: 520012 use UNIPART AFC Longlife Anti-freeze and Summer Coolant AFC GEC6025(25 litres) to protect the cooling system. The coolant is blue in colour.

Vehicles from Vin No: 520013 use Unipart OAT (XLC) coolant which is Orange/Pink in colour.

Full text from my earlier posts here and here

[ArntyR]

Hi Bob I always use this from Eurocarparts/Carparts4less etc in my TFs:

You have to dig it out these days, tho'. There's a purple type, too, from what I can see; make sure it's OAT/5year compatible.

You can buy it pre-mixed or conc and mix it yourself with deionised water - but there's little cost difference, if any.

I recently mixed my own 50:50 but you wanted to count pennies you could probably get away with 33:67 conc: deionised (if you're garaged) or, as I considered recently 40:60.

But if you d-i-y why rattle the cage? Stick to what's advised or deemed 'best'...

ps I'm in the South Downs hard water area so I never use a tap water + a/freeze mix

[mowog73]

You should use deminaralised/distilled water (same thing) but coolants have additives to seal with the negative affects of hard water, although if your water is extremely hard, then its probably best to go out and buy deminaralised/distilled water or buy the pre-mixed coolant.

[talkingcars]

......My F coolant change is on the horizon ( probably Xmas holidays )
along with the obligatory water pump and timing belt change......

no rush there then?

[Parazine]

I mix my antifreeze with rainwater, probably very slightly acidic with acid rain but no lime. Alternatively, if you have a de-humidifier, the water that comes out of that is essentially the same as distilled water. Just keep the water receptacle in the de-humidifier clean.

[talkingcars]

ps I'm in the South Downs hard water area so I never use a tap water + a/freeze mix

Depends where you are, I am in North Horsham and our water comes from the River Uck which, according to Southern Water, is soft. Other areas in Horsham have harder water.