OK to put antifreeze in Traveller radiator?

[Eightball]

Another beginner question. Is it OK for me to put antifreeze in the radiator? I'm a bit worried about the cold snap that I think is coming up.

It's for a morris traveller with a 1275 engine if that makes a difference. I assume I can pop to the local garage and use whatever they have on the shelf. Is there any recommended amount to put in?

As I've said in previous threads I know very little about cars and can't go around tinkering, so simple answers would be appreciated. The advice I've got on this forum so far has been invaluable.

[panky]

Don't put the stuff in that's designed for modern engines, instead look for a one that's for use in 'older engines'. Halfords do it neat or ready mixed, if you get the ready mixed then you will have to drain the entire cooling system and re-fill with the mixture, no bad thing as it will get rid of some of the sludge that builds up if you just use water as a coolant. If you get the neat stuff then a 30% mixture should be enough. The cooling system holds about 5 litres in total.

[Boomlander]

Blue antifreeze not red should be used.

[Eightball]

Thanks for the replies. There isn't a Halfords near me unfortunately. I found this product on Amazon - will this be suitable? I can't drain the engine coolant, so I'm looking for something I can just pour in. I figure even if I use a little, some is better than none.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluecol-BLA001- ... ds=bluecol


Sorry for this wall of text:


Bluecol 2 year Blue Anti freeze & Summer Coolant is a Methanol free, ehylene glycol based antifreeze and engine coolant. It's suitable for all engine types, including aluminium, and conforms to BS6580.

There's more info from the manufacturer

Bluecol ‘U’ is a universal anti freeze and engine coolant which is suitable for use in all vehicles (both petrol and diesel) and will mix safely with all colours and types of antifreeze already in the radiator/expansion tank. Bluecol ‘U’ is the only clear antifreeze available in the UK so it will not distort the colour of the antifreeze already in the cooling system when added. Bluecol ‘U’ is ready mixed with de-ionised water at a ratio of 50/50 for added convenience.

Thoughts?

[bmcecosse]

Yes - but you must drain off a bit of water first - to get a decent amount of anti-f in the system. Just take a heater hose off and run the engine for a short while. then refit and fill up. Simples !

[Eightball]

So, taking hoses off and that sort of stuff is beyond me. I realise it's simple for you lads and lasses, but you're dab hands at this. However I do have a hand syphon; could I stick it into the top of the rad and drain some liquid that way?

Potentially I could see how much I've drained and replace with the same amount.

Thanks for the advice so far.

[The vast minority]

My advice, Take it to a decent local back street mechanic. You will need them sooner or later and if you really don't know what you are doing and can't take a hose off, then you might as well find one now and put them to the test. To simply drop your coolant and fill with antifreeze at the correct mixture should be about 20 quid.

If it's not got antifreeze in now it should be in a garage

Al

[kennatt]

So, taking hoses off and that sort of stuff is beyond me. I realise it's simple for you lads and lasses, but you're dab hands at this. However I do have a hand syphon; could I stick it into the top of the rad and drain some liquid that way?

Potentially I could see how much I've drained and replace with the same amount.

Thanks for the advice so far.

No you will not be able to get enough out .The mix must be 50/50 or you will not get frost protection,The old coolant should idealy be drained out and new mix put in.Honestly all it takes is a screw driver to loosen the clip on the bottom hose on the radiator,then prise the hose off the metal tube,let the water run out, refit the hose and fill it up again with 50/50 mix.Where abouts are you there must be someone near who would do it for you,its literally 10 min job,Once you are shown how,you will know next winter(Its a job that some do each winter,I do it about every three years)

[Eightball]

Just a quick response to say thanks, I'm ringing a couple of garages now.

[simmitc]

I know I often say this, but join your local branch. There's bound to be someone there who will help you drain, flush, and refill the cooling system. That way you get to learn about your car at the same time. We can offer excellent advice on here, but we can't turn a screwdriver for you, whereas someone living near you will probably be able to help you in a physical way.

Have you checked whether antifreeze is already in there? You can be a simple pipette type tester, or just spoon out an eggcup of coolant and stick it in a freezer for a couple of hours. You might also be able to see the colour of the liquid as a clue - rust colour doesn't count, but a blue / green / red / orange hue would indicate AF present, even if it ,might be the wrong sort, it would still stop freezing.

As others have said, this really is a very simple job - you might even have a drain tap at the bottom of the radiator to save removing a hose; and you are going to need to get to know the mechanics of the car at least a little - do you check the oil? One word of warning: if the cooling system has not been touched for a few years, then be prepared to need a new hose or two, they can get brittle with age.

[Eightball]

Thanks for that detailed response.

Without going into a long story, the car has had a lot of work done on it in the last few months (inc. the oil), but I couldn't recall if the garage would have put antifreeze in as part of it; the news about the 'weather bomb' got me thinking. I'll check if there's any in there as soon as I'm able.

I'm sure I could drain the radiator myself once I saw how it was done, but I didn't want to attempt it on my first try. If something went wrong, I'd be in a more precarious position.

As an aside, it must be lovely to have a garage to tinker about in.

[ASL642]

Perhaps a stupid question... why don't you ring the garage that did the work and ask if they have any record as to whether they added anti freeze when they worked on the car?

[Eightball]

I had a longer reply but the forum suddenly went down and I lost the post.

Not a stupid question at all. Two garages worked on it, I rang both. One didn't answer, the second couldn't remember.

I did the egg cup in the freezer thing and the water was basically clear. Maybe - at a push - a hint of reddishness, but really it just looked clear.

I'm taking it to a garage tomorrow for them to look at it and hopefully drain / top it up.

[panky]

Make sure they know not to put the modern antifreeze in, be insistent on that.

[Eightball]

OK, will do. I'll take along the details of the one I ordered from Amazon. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet. In retrospect I should have ordered more then 1 litre.

[XWL61]

There may be a drain plug / tap on the radiator or engine block (near the exhaust pipe)

Andy

[kennatt]

If they are a decent garage they will know,but inform them NOT to force the drain tap on the rad,they can rip out.They should know to use the bottom hose Well should

[Matt Tomkins]

where are you located? surely someone on here wouldnt mind nipping out and showing you how to do it rarther than paying a garage??

[Eightball]

I don't want to impose more than I have to - but I might at some point in the future. ;)

The garage tested the water and there wasn't any anti-freeze in it, but they only had the red stuff. I gave the Traveller a mini run to the nearest parts shop. THey didn't have any of the Bluecol, but I did pick up their last three bottles of anti-freeze; one concentrate, two ready mixed. All the same brand (TQ or QX something). The instructions said they could be used on classic cars, so that was fortunate.

When I came out of the parts shop I spotted a guy checking out the Morris as it was parked. I would have said hello, but I was in a rush to get back.

The garage did explain how to drain it myself, but I asked them to do it. Partially because I don't want to mess it up, but also because it's good to build a relationship with your local mechanic.

And the guy did know about the taps on Morris radiators. Also he said I should get a new condenser and new points. Where's the thread for that?

[Trickydicky]

RE the points and condensor question,
If the car is running ok then you wont need new points or condensor. If it aint broke dont fix it.
If your mechanic is meaning for you to keep a set just in case you need them then buy them from Distributor Doctor as the ones he sells are much better quality albeit slightly more expensive but you get what you pay for.

No doubt some one will be along bestowing the advantages of fitting electronic ignition