Adding Coolant

[richolmes72]

I'm having low coolant warnings when accelerating hard up hills, so looked in the reservoir to see that its pretty empty. I popped up to Halfords and picked up some anti-freeze, was going to pour it in but decided to just read the instructions first.

It says on the back that it shouldn't be mixed with other types of anti-freeze and that if in doubt i should drain the thing first. I really haven't got the time or tools to do that here, is it really neccessary to drain it?

 

[-westy-]

I'm having low coolant warnings when accelerating hard up hills, so looked in the reservoir to see that its pretty empty. I popped up to Halfords and picked up some anti-freeze, was going to pour it in but decided to just read the instructions first.

It says on the back that it shouldn't be mixed with other types of anti-freeze and that if in doubt i should drain the thing first. I really haven't got the time or tools to do that here, is it really neccessary to drain it?

not really, just top it up, its better to use de-ionised water as well

 

[agw_01]

And find out where your coolant went.

It shouldn't normally disappear.

 

[moss]

I'd personally just pour it in, I 'think' most Ethylene Glycol based coolants will mix ok, might turn a funny colour though.

edit, to add to what AGW said, keep an eye on the levels over the next few weeks, could be the start of something more serious.

 

[jpmonkey69]

I'd personally just pour it in, I 'think' most Ethylene Glycol based coolants will mix ok, might turn a funny colour though.

Make sure you bleed it after (if its a pressurised system)

 

[Capt Doufos]

You would only need to bleed it if it was empty (If pressurised). Assuming it had some still in there it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[mattpc]

Don't mix the pink halfords coolant with the blue or green coolants. They are not compatible! If you decide to use the pink coolant you must drain the system and flush it out.