Coolant - what should i do?

bobert50 · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:09

I wasn't thinking straight yesterday while i was messing about with bits in the car. Noticed my coolant had gone down a bit so i decided to top it up..as you do!

Anyway, I got my bottle of anti freeze which i haven't used in yonks and mixed it in with some water to a 50/50 ratio as it says in the manual (maybe half a pint glass worth or just over) and then poured it in. , i then realised that it was infact erm..ready mixed already

So i've probably now lowered the coolant ratio to maybe 30-40% as it still had a fair bit in it anyway. Should i be fairly bothered and maybe even fork out for the coolant to be emptied again and replaced? Or I could go and buy some non-mixed anti-freeze and try filling it up with it to bring it nearer that 50/50 (coolant+water) again with some educated guess work? but then i'm mixing loads of different coolants together without any idea if this is a problem or not?

I Feel a bit daft, whats the best solution? Theres probably about 1/4 of a pint i could still fill up with non-ready-mixed coolant if i was to go down that route to try and get it nearer the 50%.

I must learn to read the bottle....
I must learn to read the bottle....
I must learn to read the bottle....
I must learn to read the bottle....
I must learn to read the bottle....
I must learn to read the bottle....
I must learn to read the bottle....
stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid

ste_bla · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:24

Its only half a pint. Personally I wouldn't worry about it!

PhillyDee · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:26

Wouldnt worry tbh. If you really are bothered, stick some neat stuff in.

NathanE · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:37

Top ups with just plain water are common. No need to worry...

bobert50 · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:50

Ah thanks for the replies. I'm glad

If for peace of mind i was to just top it up a little bit more with anti frreze (which shouldnt be a prob), theres no problems mixing different brands of anti freeze i take it? all the same stuff etc ?

[TW]Fox · 26 Jan 2009 at 15:35

I'd be more bothered about why the coolant had gone down.

Confused · 26 Jan 2009 at 15:49

[TW]Fox;13361908 said:
I'd be more bothered about why the coolant had gone down.

Yup.

Coolant is, in the most, a sealed system. A lack of coolant often indicates a further issue.

bobert50 · 26 Jan 2009 at 15:53

Driven approx 150 miles today and its not gone down even a mm. I'll def keep an eye on it though for a bit, any more drops and i'll get it looked at.

bobert50 · 26 Feb 2009 at 17:56

K driven 1500 miles now and its not moved an inch. Got a feeling i was just being a bit dumb and loosened the lid a bit and some had evaporated out maybe....

Pete19s · 26 Feb 2009 at 18:29

Could be a faulty pressure cap, or like me with my stupid plastic thermostat housing that doesnt quite seal properly anymore. Best to keep a decent eye on it.

bobert50 · 26 Feb 2009 at 18:39

I meant mm btw, not an inch! an inch would be quite a bit

loltim · 26 Feb 2009 at 18:39

or cracked coolant reservoir.

edit: guess not ^

Matt82 · 26 Feb 2009 at 18:49

30% coolant is absolutely fine in this country