Anti Freeze

[andy willi]

I get it free


andy

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by andy willi

I get it free

Which do you use in your own car?

TC

[Robti]

I would love to get a definitive answer on this as to wether the old hands use red or blue as its nearly thermostat renewal time was waiting till winter to do it

[T-Cut]

I guess it depends on what you mean by definitive. There's the MGR official recommendation and there's everyone else's opinion. The Handbook and Manual specify 50% OAT mixture. This is typically red or orange. The latest purple type antifreeze (eg. specified for VW/etc. vehicles) is also OAT type. The OAT systems are best for aluminium engines and most (but not all) manufacturers specify an OAT or hybrid OAT (HOAT).

The original OAT type was known to cause swelling of various rubber components when subjected to overheating or poor maintenance. The underlying culprit was 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA). The infamous Dexcool class action against General Motors in America did little to encourage its use and many people swapped to the more conventional systems using inorganics like silicates, phosphates, borates, etc. These have a shorter service life and can cause problems with certain metals. But OAT isn't recommended for some others. However, inorganic antifreeze don't affect rubber in the same way and many owners have stuck with one of those. This is in spite of the evolution to OAT type formulas that don't contain the offending 2-EHA ingredient. Many now use sebacates which don't decompose so easily and thereby attack polymers. The HOAT type are combinations of OAT and inorganics, so a mix and match idea. Every car manufacturer now seems to have their own concoction, which leaves the DIYer somewhat bewildered. Those are more or less the facts to consider. You'll find the forum is split into the reds and the blues. There will no doubt be some greens in there too. One man's meat is another's poison, as they say.

TC

[MangoMan]

Originally Posted by Robti

I would love to get a definitive answer on this as to wether the old hands use red or blue as its nearly thermostat renewal time was waiting till winter to do it

From the Owner's Manual: (Which to me is definitive - OAT = RED).

[aguy]

I'm also confused on this one.

There has been much discussion in the past and it seems to me that there is only one positive (certainty). MGR stipulate RED O.A.T.

There are a few on here including our own 'specialists' who are using Blue Antifreeze. I think I am right in saying one of the reasons in the V6 is that Blue is believed to be kinder to the plastics, particularly the Thermostats which appear to get eaten away by OAT.

I can understand the logic in that but would ask the question does using BLUE have any adverse effects on other metals/components in the cooling system?

[pln64]

I am in the wonderful position of having both green and blue in mine. When we got back from picking up the car we left it for a while and then checked fluids. The water level was low so I told my son to fill it with anti freeze , from the container in shed. He done this and afterwards asked which one he should have used green or blue. He had used blue. Because radiator was changed by previous owner a month before and green was used , on receipt. So I asked my garage who said don't worry just drain and change when you get a minute. So I may now just top up with red then I have all my bases covered ��

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by pln64

I am in the wonderful position of having both green and blue in mine.- - - - So I may now just top up with red then I have all my bases covered

I'd read up on that before actually doing it. It may cover some things better than you expect.

TC

[murphyv310]

Actually there were many many all alloy engined cars around a very long time before the 75. Alloy/plastic radiators are universal and have been for 30 and more years. Did these cars use OAT? The answer is a resounding NO.
One antifreeze that was common on all alloy units like the Imp was Bluecol AA. OAT's only advantage in my mind is its service life.

[Saga Lout]

Originally Posted by murphyv310

Actually there were many many all alloy engined cars around a very long time before the 75. Alloy/plastic radiators are universal and have been for 30 and more years. Did these cars use OAT? The answer is a resounding NO.
One antifreeze that was common on all alloy units like the Imp was Bluecol AA. OAT's only advantage in my mind is its service life.

I'm with you..I use Bluecol every year and I'm just about to do mine this week, I tend to go with a 50/50 mix and it's worth the peace of mind for the extra expense.