Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Worth testing your antifreeze, we had a good hard frost here last night, so the time is definateley here, if you haven't looked already, I am going to look at the weekend, though it was protected to -55 last year. 1:1 antifreeze.

Thought I would mention it, as if I remind one person who has forgotten, it was worth it!

Cheers

Dave

[Richard H]

I will put some in tomorrow. Last year my engine froze up and popped a core plug, I don't want that to happen again.

Thanks for the heads up

[Roger-hatchy]

That reminds me I must get a new hydometer,

[P3steve]

Treated myself to a new hydrometer the other week and was horrified to find the antifreeze didn't even register. it was only changed two years ago when I did the water pump so a quick trip down to Halfords for some of there blue Ethylene glycol and soon had it up to the right level, so buzzy bee is right don't forget this most basic of tests, remember antifreeze acts as a corrosion inhibitor as well even on my old Rover engine there's lots of ally parts that could react as you can see here in some photo of the old girl taken when I was fitting the water pump the other year.

[Roger-hatchy]

Just googling around and found one with the floating balls,
Always thought these were a gimmick, prefer the ones with the float.

Anyway fo the same item one quote £4 going upto £60

How can people justify that type of inflation, more to the point who is silly enough to pay that sort of hike

At least we have a decent helpfull motor shop in Maldon that likes to keep costomers not rip them off

[Richard H]

Standard Steve

I was up your way in August and I was travelling down the A47 towards Great Yarmouth on Sunday, 8th August about 9pm when I saw a Rover P3 broken down and getting winched onto a recovery truck on the other side of the carriageway (Norwich bound). Was it you? Can't be many P3's around that area.

Richard.

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

On the subject of Antifreeze I notice that ASDA and maybe others sell Summer/winter coolant. This is not antifreeze but an antifreeze/water mixture. In ASDA's case I could not see the % Antifreeze declared. so like Steve its best to do a treck to the local motor factors and buy the real thing - then at least you will know how much you have put in!!
It's probably all vanished by now, but steer clear of the Methanol versions as they do evaporate!!

Paul

[Jim.Walker]

StandardSteve prompted a memory here.
There used to be a common antifreeze which did not register on an ethyl alcohol hydrometer.
I remember it was pink, probably Methanol and I think it was Holts. Though I am not sure of the brand.
I don't know whether it is still around, but I never found a way to test the strength. Perhaps I could have tried freezing it if time had allowed.
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[Peter_L]

I have now become use to running our vehicles with an all year round "coolant". Safe down to -55C. The local "5 minute" fluid change shops love to scare folk in to having their systems flushed and refilled every 2 years, usually charging ridiculous prices.

I keep 1 5 litre can of premix, for top up purposes, but have used little in the last 8 years. The hydrometer test says it is still OK.

Just as an aside, we also use a windshield washer fluid. There is a summer version, works down to -10C and a winter version, works down to -55C.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I Hydometer with the balls work well, I tried two or three types last year, and they all seemed to work, and give the same answer, which is allways reasuring. The one I like to use is one of these Refractometer:-

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00gBctzjMfVGpu/Antifreeze-Battery-Refractometer-ATO-.jpg

Premixed antifreeze or Coolant as it is more often called, is sold to be better for Corrosion inhibiting then the stuff you mix yourself, and normally is about 30%, or at least the drum we got was. Problem is it is used up much quicker, so we prefere to do what we did today, buy a 25 Gallon drum of antifreeze to mix ourselves.

Beware though, never go more than 1:1 mix, as much more antifreeze, you start bringing the freezing temperature of the mix, back up.

Cheers

Dave

[P3steve]