Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi what is the quantity of antifreeze I should put in after a complete drain down
Thanks

Mix depends on how cold it gets where you are. I do it 50/50 which I think is enough for -30, but the anti freeze packaging will advise you. Buy the Bluecol stuff from a local motor factors, the system should hold 5 to 6 litres dependant on if heater is fitted or not. To drain, I just pull a hose, but mine are fairly new and come off easy, so be careful. May be a good opportunity to back flush the rad, while you have a hose off.

I'm in Scotland so pretty cold

Depending on where the car is parked, remember to allow for a wind chill factor affecting the radiator, but for the UK, -30 celsius should be fine. Premix the antifreeze and water before filling the system. The easy way is a large jug and just pour in half AF and then half water; then pour into the system. When full, run the engine up to temperature (with heater valve open) and then top up as necessary, still with the correct mix.

remember to allow for a wind chill factor affecting the radiator

The wind chill won't affect the freezing point, all it does is make it cool down faster.[frame][/frame]

Exactly - wind chill is for humans - not for cars! Similarly - I 've never seen the logic in putting a blanket over the engine.......

It's psychological, and anthropomorphic.

A blanket will slow down the cooling of the engine, that's OK for a few hours if you're going to re-use the car and trying to keep it warm, but overnight it won't do any good.

try snuggling up to it all night

I'm guessing in Red Deer a block heater is essential.......

50/50 mix is advised by my local garage. Don't forget it also prevents corrosion - and use blue antifreeze.

"I'm guessing in Red Deer a block heater is essential"

Usually at about -20C or less we use them, not strictly neccessary, but it helps to warm up quicker.
Of course it helps to keep the engine ancillary systems in tip-top shape.
We usually figure that engines should be able to start at -40C w/out being plugged in.
If it doesn't then there'se something wrong

50/50 covers all eventualities in the UK...