Antifreeze and coolant

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Antifreeze and coolant

Postby BobbyMel » Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:33 pm

Hi, whats everyone choice of antifreeze and coolant for 1256 engine?
Is blue the preferred option?...there's nothing in the system, so no worry about mixing.

Bob
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1970 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....114 BOB
1969 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....BDH819G
1968 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....BOB 33E
1968 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....NHA 764F
1987 - Austin Montego 1.6L....E375 JRV
1995 - Rover 216 Coupe....N622 VOA
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Re: Antifreeze and coolant

Postby 1972nail » Sat Apr 17, 2021 7:37 pm

It used to be easy to choose antifreeze because type was identified by colour and blue was the one that was good for our cars. Now the colour is no indication of the type.

Older types use IAT technology and is suitable for cast iron engines, alloy fittings and lead soldered copper or brass radiators. This type has a relatively short lifespan of two to three years typically.

Newer developments are OAT and HOAT types. These have a longer lifespan and give better alloy corrosion resistance but are not kind to soldered radiators.

All these types can be found in various colours depending on what the manufacturer chooses. So best to choose one that uses IAT technology from a recognised manufacturer rather than choose by colour. Having said that after a quick internet search it appears that IAT antifreeze appears to be available in blue only. However, there are blue HOAT antifreeze available. These should not be used in our engines.

You will probably buy your antifreeze as a concentrate which you dilute with water. It is recommended that you use distilled water to avoid the chlorine and other additives in tap water which are naturally corrosive or cause scaling.

You can however buy your coolant as a premixed liquid, but be careful of the type as it is not always clear what type these are.
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Re: Antifreeze and coolant

Postby 1972nail » Sat Apr 17, 2021 8:08 pm

As a post script to my reply. There are some manufacturers of premixed coolants who claim that their OAT products are safe in classic cars but you need to read the small print too.
Editor of the VVOC Magazine ReVival

"When you have a Firenza like mine, who needs any Minis?" copyright David Maxwell 1979.
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Re: Antifreeze and coolant

Postby cooperman » Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:52 am

Life is so complicated now!
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Re: Antifreeze and coolant

Postby BobbyMel » Sun Apr 18, 2021 8:08 am

Isn't it just, we used to just drop a few pints out the bottom of tha radiator, and throw 2 pints of antifreeze in...job done!!
HB 368

1970 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....114 BOB
1969 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....BDH819G
1968 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....BOB 33E
1968 - Vauxhall HB Viva Estate....NHA 764F
1987 - Austin Montego 1.6L....E375 JRV
1995 - Rover 216 Coupe....N622 VOA
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BobbyMel
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Posts: 876
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:43 pm
Location: Washington


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