antifreeze and headlight bulbs

[markthe45king]

As i'm looking at redoing the antifreeze - what are people recommending?

Also any thoughts on why I've just blown a brand new replacement headlight?

thanks as ever

[simmitc]

Antifreeze has been covered many times. Drain and flush the system, then mix water and Bluecol Antifreeze at up to 50%. Replace every two years.

Which type of headlamps are you using? The most likely cause is over voltage or poor earth.

[markthe45king]

It was a Wagner bulb from MMOC spares - how would i check for those two issues before i put a new one in and would that only effect the one headlight? Nothing else has gone.

cheers

[markthe45king]

It was a Wagner bulb from MMOC spares - how would i check for those two issues before i put a new one in and would that only effect the one headlight? Nothing else has gone.

cheers

[lowride stepside]

Two pieces of wire clipped on the battery (don't let the ends touch , take th bulb in hand ,hold one on the side touching the other on one of the two nodules. If it lights up the filament is ok , then try the other nodule.assuming that the bulb is ok you probably have a bad earth ( a poor connection to the body ) as it is unlikely that both lives would go at the same time. A meter is handy .you only have 3 wires , two lives one for the high beam , one for the dip , the other is the earth ,which should have a good connection to the metal body of the car , not rust or paint. Good luck , let us know how you do

[bmcecosse]

It can't be a faulty earth. You should check the battery volts when charging - in case it is too high, but this is very unlikely (unless the battery lead came off....while the engine was running). But frankly - it was either a faulty bulb (not uncommon with what could be a v old bulb ) or was it rated for only 6 volts??

[markthe45king]

I just blew 2 new ones in a row in the same fitting - work fine on the first journey, but then blow on the second time they are turned on - no other bulbs are blowing at all, so i'm not sure it's the voltage either (would that not blow the other bulbs on that side?)

[Matt]

If the bulb has excessive vibration it could cause premature failure?

[bmcecosse]

Vibration 'could' do it I suppose.....but sounds like crap bulbs to me........

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Vibration 'could' do it I suppose.....but sounds like crap bulbs to me........

+1.

I've heard it off a few old boys now that bulbs were always failing 'back in the day', even new ones.

[bmcecosse]

And at this age - the internal gas (or vacuum!) may well have leaked away......