How much anti freeze??

[yellowpinky]

So the cold weather is here & I wanted to replace my old anti freeze as it had been in there a few years.. I checked online & read the capacity of the minor cooling system is about 5.5 litres... I also read to mix about 50/50 to cover low temperatures. I had three letters of comma long life 5 year protection anti freeze. Then poured the whole lot in and topped up with water..
Then today a friend down the road was replacing his radiator in his escort van... The mechanic nearby seemed to think I'd put too much anti freeze in & said it could bugger the engine up! I also remember another mechanic using pure anti freeze, no water!
I'm a bit confused.... I just want to do a good job... Shall I remove the anti freeze and put it back diluted? Or leave it as it is?
Thanks

[simmitc]

First things first, assuming that you have a standard Minor engine, then flush out the 5 year anti-freeze that you put in. Dispose of it repsonsibly, not just thrown on the drive where it can poison pets, or even down the drain where it can pollute waterworks and courses. See if your local Civic Amenity Site (tip) has suitable disposal facilities.

Now buy some traditional Bluecol antifreeze and use that. Decide to what temperature you need to protect, then following the dilution instructions on the container. For most of the UK, 30 - 40% antifreeze to 70 - 60% water will be fine, unless your car is in a really cold and exposed area. The easiest thing is to use a cheap plastic measuring jug, pour in the AF then add the water, now pour carefully into the radiator.

Modern 5 yr AF is typically OAT (Organic Acid Technology) which is not good for older design engines. Bluecol is an IAT (inorganic) which although it has a shorter life (2 years) is much more suited to a Minor.

[John Naylor]

I made the same mistake last year and bought 5 year anti-freeze (only the best...) and then found out it was attacking my cooling system. It is in small print on the containers usually "not suitable for some classic cars". Frustrating!
John

[yellowpinky]

Ah that's useful advise thanks.. Can't believe all the years I've had a minor & not known about bluecol.. It's nice to know that I now have the right stuff in there!
The engine is a 1275cc version rebuilt in 2010, I've drained the system & will just use water until the bluecol arrives. Maybe this will help flush & clean it out a bit before its drained again.
I've got another small problem that the drain tap on the side of the engine drips from its spout.. It was a new one in 2010... Thought it would last longer than that..
So I will replace the tap, but what's best? Is old stock better, is a brass washer essential?

[bmcecosse]

Never ever use the drain tap ... just plug the hole.

[ampwhu]

I've always used 'neat' antifreeze in my cars since the 80's. only the blue stuff mind.....

buy a 5 litre tub, top up the rest with distilled water and off you go. when I pulled out the engine about 5 years ago to overall, I removed all the core plugs and the water ways were spotless.