Coolant - okay to mix colours?

[182 Spiced]

The coolant light came on the dash on the way home from work (didn't know it was that until I checked the handbook!)

I have some Vauxhall coolant at home good to -37. Is it okay for me to mix this with what I have already - the original coolant? The coolant is at min level at the moment.

If it's not best to mix, can anyone recommend any coolant from Halfords I can just mix in tomorrow. Need the car on the road ASAP and don't think I've got the time to flush the coolant!!

I don't fancy paying Reno £40 for a £10 job??

Hope someone can help!

 

[Justin]

i mixed mine, seems to have been fine

 

[Fred@BTM]

you checked for leaks??? never heard of that before

 

[182 Spiced]

leaks - well it's been approaching the min level for a while so i don't think it's a leak!?
You've got me thinking now though...? I'll check before I go work in the morning...

I just don't like the idea of mixing a the pink with the blue\green that's already in the car. BUT if it's all good... then I'll sort it in the morning.

Otherwise if you reckon it needs checking I may just take it to RENO and get fleeced

 

[MrMark]

i cant see why it would be a problem.

 

[182 Spiced]

Just taken the initiative to read the back of the bottle!

It says it's best to flush out the system... FFS! zzz How long should that take?

I may take a chance and just mix it - like you said what could really go wrong - it all does the same job!

 

[Martin_172]

as far as i know you get 2 different types of anti freeze, if you mix them both together they cancel each other out! so dont work? sure i was told that off someone.

 

[donsrno1]

Your not really supposed to mix different types as far as I'm aware. However, with the small amounts your talking to raise it from the minimum you could just top it up with water. Although I say that I don't know how much much it takes between the min/max marks on a 182 so wait until someone who does know confirms. Basically adding the water will just dilute its antifreeze and anti-corosion slightly.

 

[Martin_172]

id just top it up with water, mine was running pure water all thru winter time lol

 

[RichMcc]

my girlfriend put screen wash in her coolant system lol

 

[donsrno1]

my girlfriend put screen wash in her coolant system lol

haha, it does actually work though - with a bit of foaming from what I've heard, lol.

Martin - Nice and rusty now is it??

 

[Martin_172]

lol waterpump was leaking, emptied the full cooling system every 3 or 4 hours so just kept filling it with water, then the waterpump went and ate the cambelt, ah well lol

 

[BRUN]

if both types are ethylene glycol based it doesnt matter, they will mix and work fine

as far as i know the Renault stuff is ethylene glycol based, but i have an older Mk1, not sure if they use the same coolant as the Mk2s

look on the back of the bottle

 

[182 Spiced]

i just poured half a litre into the coolant to see if the light goes off... IT HASN'T?

Do I need to give it a run around before the light goes off?

The Vauxhall stuff I have does contain Ethylene Glycol... I may pour some of that in too... although there's not much space left in the coolant

 

[182 Spiced]

that was half a litre of water...

 

[madhops87]

As far as I know you shouldn't mix colours cos it cause some kind of bad reaction.

 

[182 Spiced]

hmm, thanks...

should the light just go off anyone? I'm off to work and don't fancy the journey with the light on staring at me all the way

 

[madhops87]

Put a piece of masking tape over it! I would be happy driving it as long as the level in the bottle is ok.
Hell, I went to Southampton from Cornwall with my brake fluid light coming on and off!
But then its up to you, I dont want the blame for your car going wrong!

 

[182 Spiced]

i'm off to work, level is okay now, so it should be good for a while. i'll sort it on the weekend i think try and do the flush myself... thanks for all your help.

 

[182 Spiced]

just need to find the masking tape now...

 

[182 Spiced]

just got in to work (30min drive) - coolant light still on even though I topped it up with some water?

Anyone recommend anything? A complete flush I guess?

 

[Martin_172]

i dont have a coolant light i dont think? what does it look like?

 

[182 Spiced]

It's an orange sign just above the green gear change light in the bottom right hand corner of the dash. There is a similar light in the middle of the dash but that has a 'STOP' written in it...

 

[Ads_172]

Take it to a garage.

My car's been leaking coolant like a b!tch, turns out the radiator's knackered and it's just been flooding out the bottom of the car.

My reputable garage-man (Clarkie) has said that you're okay to top up with water but it's risky if there's a big freeze, as frozen water would knacker the aluminium head on RS models. I'd still say it's better to top up with water than mix different antifreezes until you can get the system drained and problem fixed.

 

[kunit]

some antifreeze can be mixed but not sure which ones as my chart is at work either way its not wise else they curdle together so i have been informed use same colour to top up with dont over concentrate as this kills sensors need to use a tester really. also not enough antifreeze during freezing temps will crack the block as frozen water expands.
chris

 

[BrianR]

Oh my ! Come on guys, this thread has so many half truths and rumours in it, it could be a labour party political broadcast.

Firstly, mixing two different types of anti-freeze will not cancel each other out. I think you must have heard that on a Haggis shoot Martin. lol.

The basis of all anti freeze is Glycol, they also have corrosion inhibiting chemicals, and a coloured dye. New cars now come filled with organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze which is the pink one. These are the type of antifreeze you should be using in your Renault cars.

They are often referred to as "all year round" anti freeze. The inhibitors will prevent scale-ling and corrosion where copper, brass, steel, aluminium and cast iron come into contact with each other in the cooling system.

The old inorganic coolants are blue or green and shouldn't be mixed, except in an emergency.

Antifreeze, is highly corrosive, and also very poisonous, so if you have animals, don't leave it lying around.

 

[Gaz_]

So its no good to make cheap wine then?

I heard a rumour thats all....

 

[BrianR]

So its no good to make cheap wine then?

I heard a rumour thats all....

Remind me not to come to yours for dinner !