Anti freeze??

4th December 2005, 21:18

I am planning on topping the anti freeze in my car however I dont know what type was previously in there- is it ok to buy any make?

I don't want to be mixing different makes of anti freeze if you aren't meant to be doing this.

Cheers

5th December 2005, 01:00

Shouldnt cause any problems if you mix them ,but if your worried drain the radiator and put fresh anti freeze in there.

5th December 2005, 02:27

not as simple as that though

i still have problems 8 x later with a good flush

5th December 2005, 02:27

you sud only use the same coloured antifreeze as what already in the system, but as danvtr_9 said it would be just as easy to drain and refill with new antifreeze...

5th December 2005, 03:32

yer, thats what someone said to me, that i should check the colour- problem is, i cant make out the colour in there even with a torch!

Whats the easiest way of draining out the radiator? is it ok for me to do myself- I have never attempted anything like this before and wouldn't have a clue where to start.

Thanks all

5th December 2005, 17:08

only use the same antifreeze which has the same base as the previous.. mixing 2 or 3 different based antifreeze mixes will damage the system....

i did write up a good guide on how to flush the radiator and the engine but i dont have time to search for it.

if you still need help pm me mate and i will write you up a guide to flush and bleed the system out.. only problem is though if you do flush the system, you will require a expansion bottle which sits in the expansion tank to stop air getting trapped when you fill back up... you need this due to the top hose being higher then the expansion tank.... some people say to use a bottle cut in half but this is not 100% effective..

5th December 2005, 21:24

right im home fianlly

heres what to do;

Flushing The Radiator

1. Open The Drain Plug/Remove bottomhose, and Drain All The Water.
2. Disconnect The Top And If You Took The Drain Plug way, Disconnect the bottom hose
3. Put A Hose Pipe Into The Top Hose And Wait Till Clean Water Emerges From The Bottom Hose Via Radiator.
4. Connect All Hoses
5. Fill With Water And Antifreeze Mix Using A HeaderTank On The Expansion Tank.
6. Bleed System And Check For Leaks.

If you want to flush the engine whilst you at it (recommended) look below:

Flushing The Engine

1. Remove Thermostat And Replace The Housing.
2. Put A Hose Pipe Into The Top Hose And Wait Till Clean Water Emerges From The Bottom Hose Via Engine
3. Replace The Thermostat(If in good condition inc seal)
4. Connect All Hoses
5. Fill With Water And Antifreeze Mix Using A Header Tank On The Expansion Tank.
7. Bleed System And Check For Leaks.

Bleeding The System

Before we start i must insist that you get a propper header tank to sit into the expansion tank (costs about £18.00 from citroen) This will savle you alot of time if any air is trapped in the heater matrix.

There Are 3 Bleeding Points That Need To Be Done In Sequence Starting With The Lowest.

Open All Bleeding Points Up Until A Steady Supply Of Water Emerges without Bubbles.

Bleed Points Are:

1. Top Right Of The Radiator(Small Plastic Clip)
2. Top Of Thermostast Housing (5mm Allen Key, Just Right Of The Rocker Cover)
3. Drivers Side Of Engine, Looks Like A valve cap

Keep the water and antifreeze going in until a trickle of water shoots out of the first bleeding point without stopping... do this for the other 2 and then leave car on fast idle (1000rpm) until the fan kicks in 2 or 3 times...

once happy jobs done

5th December 2005, 21:25

maybe a mod can add this to a how to do section?

of course with due mention of my name

5th December 2005, 21:45

thats my guide off ssc!

5th December 2005, 22:58

erm no its not? i wrote that myself please do not try and take responsibility of my wiriting abilities

thanks

5th December 2005, 23:10

lol IT WAS A JOKE

5th December 2005, 23:23

i know

but i got serious and it made me look cool... wait.. no no it didnt... i apologise

i just hate it when people steal stuff and use it as there own

5th December 2005, 23:42

no problems

5th December 2005, 23:49

cough simo add this to how to guide cough