Radiator/Engine Coolant Reccomendations

[toopy]

Pre-mixed is obviously more convenient, I believe they use distilled water for this, so much better than hard London tap water.

I have used pre mix on other cars, but for the last 5 years on the Datsun, i have made the effort to use the concentrate mixed with RO water (reverse osmosis) I used to have a large marine aquarium and RO water was a must, its 99.99% pure!

I think far more important is not so much which one you use, but how regular you change/flush the coolant, not using hard water helps, but if your changing it every two years anyway, its far less of an issue

 

[Woody928]

Purely convenience as far as I know, did the job for me just getting pre mixed then you don't have to faff around finding distilled water unless you have some to hand.

 

[johnymd]

I noticed the Halfords IAT is quite expensive at £50 to fill your zed coolant system which is about half the price of evans.

Could someone explain why we cant use the usual modern antifreezes in our cars?

 

[jonbills]

I think you can use what you like, but you want to avoid mixing oats and silicates because they react depositing silicate solids. So easiest to stick with what it started with.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I noticed the Halfords IAT is quite expensive at £50 to fill your zed coolant system which is about half the price of evans.

Could someone explain why we cant use the usual modern antifreezes in our cars?

John, have you seen this Thread?

http://zclub.net/community/index.php?threads/coolant-antifreeze.18296/#post-196286

 

[johnymd]

Thanks Rob. So we are just talking about the heater core being an issue? Are all modern heater cores plastic? or something else?

 

[Paul_S]

Another question from me...

Do I need to replace the gaskets on the thermostat housing or is it acceptable to use a tube of squirty gasket stuff (not it's official name I'm sure!)

 

[jonbills]

I’m using squirty gasket stuff this time round.

 

[toopy]

Another question from me...

Do I need to replace the gaskets on the thermostat housing or is it acceptable to use a tube of squirty gasket stuff (not it's official name I'm sure!)

I used a proper paper gasket last time, however I did notice before she was laid up for winter that there was a small coolant weep, I plan to refresh it this year and have a paper gasket to hand, but will also use a smear of liquid gasket as well no reason why you cant omit the paper element altogether though, many do.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Guys, during the cold spell I checked my recently acquired Samuri for antifreeze and I was shocked because it appeared to have none. The liquid in the radiator was clear like water. I used a 'basting syringe' (a good garage tool) and took a sample out to get a better look - although clear it seemed thicker than water e.g. a bit silicon like. Anyway receipts with the car showed a charge for antifreeze when the engine was rebuilt and JK hasn't drained it so I searched online and yes you can buy clear antifreeze. What's more it is supposed to be 'universal' - I'm not sure if that covers old classic cars I need to research more.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluecol-...e-Coolant-Winter-1-Litre-BLU001-/371257225088

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Guys, during the cold spell I checked my recently acquired Samuri for antifreeze and I was shocked because it appeared to have none. The liquid in the radiator was clear like water. I used a 'basting syringe' (a good garage tool) and took a sample out to get a better look - although clear it seemed thicker than water e.g. a bit silicon like. Anyway receipts with the car showed a charge for antifreeze when the engine was rebuilt and JK hasn't drained it so I searched online and yes you can buy clear antifreeze. What's more it is supposed to be 'universal' - I'm not sure if that covers old classic cars I need to research more.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluecol-...e-Coolant-Winter-1-Litre-BLU001-/371257225088

Halfords to a test kit for about £5, which actually shows if it is antifreeze or just water. you can get the silicone type feel due to chemical reactions in the block and off coolant pipes. I'd check if I were you.

 

[Paul_S]

Thank you gentlemen