Which Antifreeze To Use?

[Keanu]

My 52 reg Ghia Galaxy auto 2.3Litre, already has what seems to be pink/purple coloured antifrezee. It has gone below the indicated level, so I went and bought 'Ethylene Glycol' OAT Technology antifreeze designed for aluminium engines and it indicates that it meets specification for: FORD WSS-M 97B44-D. The make is 'Granville Antifreeze and Summer Coolant and upon opening the lid it seems to be of ORANGE colour although the droplets on the inner side of the bottle cap is pink!

 

Anyone got any idea as to what is the correct antifreeze for my Galaxy and is the one I have OK for my Galaxy? Thanks ^_^

[mikej]

Ford Super Plus Premium 10 Year protection , it's in a black container and when mixed turns pink ?

Ford spec : WSS-M97B44-D For what it's worth, this is whats in mine mk2 petrol bought from the main steeler !

Looks like you should be ok with the stuff you have then!!! ^_^

[edatelder]

Orange is the new spec antifreeze and it lasts 10 years. The old colour was green and it lasted only 3 years.

[Keanu]

I have been reading some of these other threads about antifreeze, and the impression I got was NOT to mix antifreeze colours! Is my orange antifreeze likely to turn into pink/purple colour once it is mixed with the existing pink/purple antifreeze in the resevior?

 

Plus, does anyone know if these galaxy engines are of aluminium, because it clearly states on the bottle that it's for that particular engine use only.

[edatelder]

Most antifreeze and coolant products on the market are ethylene glycol based with additives to prevent corrosion, lubricate seals and water pumps and aid in heat transfer to the coolant from the metal of the engine. Antifreeze coolant should typically be mixed with water at the ratio of one part antifreeze to one part water. This gives antifreeze protection down to minus 34 degrees and overheating / boil over protection up to 265 degrees. Do not use pure antifreeze in a cooling system without using at least 30 percent water in the mixture.

 

Most antifreeze coolant sold in recent years has been the traditional green coolant which has a life span of two to three years or up to 30,000 miles. Green antifreeze contains silicates, phosphates and borates as corrosion inhibitors to keep the solution alkaline. As long as the solution remains alkaline, corrosion is controlled and the cooling system is protected. Over time corrosion inhibitors are depleted and the corrosion protection is lost, therefore green antifreeze should be changed every two years.

 

Aluminium is especially vulnerable to corrosion and many vehicles have heads, radiators and other aluminium components in the cooling system. If the coolant in an engine cooling system is changed before corrosion inhibitors reach dangerously low levels, corrosion damage is prevented.

 

Long Life Antifreeze

An alternative to tradition green antifreeze is a product currently used by many vehicle manufacturers. Orange or Red antifreeze known as long life or extended life antifreeze increases the useful life of engine coolant. Long life antifreeze is also ethylene glycol based.

 

The difference between the two colours is that Orange / Red antifreeze contains a different type of corrosion inhibitor that has a much longer life than silicates, phosphates and borates. Orange / Red antifreeze contains organic acids that protect engine parts from corrosion.

 

Green antifreeze does not mix with long life antifreeze. Never mix the two colours in a cooling system. The organic acids in orange types will cause precipitation of silicates in the green type and corrosion protection is greatly reduced.

 

Orange type antifreezes are suitable for up to five years or 100,000 miles. They can also be used in many older vehicles if all of the green antifreeze is flushed from the system and is replaced with the orange / red antifreeze. The lifespan of long life antifreeze is about four years or 60,000 miles in older cars.

 

If you have doubts about switching from the green type of antifreeze to long life antifreeze, contact you retailer or car dealer and ask about compatibility with your cooling system. You can also contact Tetrosyl by email for further advice and technical support.

 

The level of protection of the coolant has little relevance to the corrosion protection. An antifreeze tester may show adequate frost protection but cannot test for corrosion protection which is depleted over time.

 

Change your coolant mix on a schedule based on the colour of the antifreeze you are using. Severe corrosion to engine and cooling system components can occur with resulting expensive repairs

[Keanu]

:rolleyes: So, what you're saying is orange antifreeze exist in the market and I can mix it with the existing pink/purple antifreeze already in my coolant system!! :lol:

 

And of course to mix it 50/50 with water. Is tap water ok? :)

[big_kev]

:rolleyes: So, what you're saying is orange antifreeze exist in the market and I can mix it with the existing pink/purple antifreeze already in my coolant system!! :lol:

 

And of course to mix it 50/50 with water. Is tap water ok? :)

 

 

Don't mix the different antifreeze types.

 

You should completely drain and renew you coolant every 2 years or 40,000 miles whichever is sooner.....this would be the ideal time to change types.

 

Chlorine in tap water may damage aluminium engine components, distilled water is best or leave tap water for a couple of days to let the chlorine evaporate.

In practice however, everyone just uses tap water......

[Keanu]

You should completely drain and renew you coolant

 

Can I do this? Is there a sump plug somewhere under the radiater itself? If so where? :rolleyes:

[johnb80]

You should completely drain and renew you coolant

 

Can I do this? Is there a sump plug somewhere under the radiater itself? If so where? :rolleyes:

Drop the bottom hose off the rad.

 

J

[Mirez]

In practice however, everyone just uses tap water......

 

Never! Distilled water is dirt cheap - 49p a liter from my local autoparts place.

[edatelder]

I found my antifreeze container today. It is Comma Xstream Red, recommended by Ford, Seat, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. So should be good for Galaxys. I think red/orange concentrated anitifreeze turns to what looks like pink when it's mixed with water. I'm revising what I said on its life though. They recommend a change every 5 years (green was every 2 years).

[marcostig]

just top it up with red or what ever ...its such a small amount wont make the slightes difference.

[Keanu]

Thanks to you all. I am much reassured now as to what I have already purchased is suitable for the Galaxy. I think I'll just take up the last advice. Can't imagine that these days both antifreeze and car manufacturers will make a such a product for only professionals in garages to handle!

 

They surely would recognise that any motorist can simply refil the antifreeze and as such todays antifreeze are most likely made for people like me to refil any modern street car.

 

Thus, the orange coloured antifreeze is going in to top up the existing pink/purple antifreeze in my reservoir tank.

 

:lol: