Coolant low - what is best coolant to buy?

[DevonMark]

Got the dreaded red flashing light on Victor's dashboard. Checked coolant level and it is indeed low (at least the sensor is working!).

What is the best coolant to buy in order to top up. Any suggestions? I have a 1989 1.9l petrol engine.

I guess I'll need to investigate why the coolant level is dropping.

[1664]

Look in the club Wiki under 'Coolant and Heating'

[DevonMark]

I actually have (promise!) but couldn't find any suggestions. I'm obviously doing a 'man look' and not really looking hard enough...

[DevonMark]

Found it https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ded_brands

Ooops. Must look harder in future

[DevonMark]

If my coolant level is dropping, does that mean that there's something going wrong, or does it just need topping up from time to time?

[Hacksawbob]

The van should not need topping up if everything is as it should be. It's got to be going somewhere!

[CovKid]

Euro Car Parts generally have the best price on coolant - by far. Especially if you add in the usual winter service code. Don't buy it in litre bottles whatever you do. 13.49 for 5 litres - could be even less with discount code!

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_866

[DevonMark]

I'm really struggling to see what colour the current coolant is. Is the best bet to completely empty the system of coolant and refill entirely? I've heard that mixing different types of coolant is dangerous.

How do I empty the coolant? Sorry, complete novice I'm afraid!

[nutbox]

It would be a good Idea to find out why your coolant is low,a leak in the rad or a leaking expansion tank cap,or something .
Also if you haven't replaced the fluid for sometime it might need replacing ..
Cheers dazz

[DevonMark]

It would be a good Idea to find out why your coolant is low,a leak in the rad or a leaking expansion tank cap,or something .
Also if you haven't replaced the fluid for sometime it might need replacing ..
Cheers dazz

Fluids not been replaced since I bought the van (September) and for who knows how long before that...

That's why I'm nervous about topping it up because I'm not sure what colour coolant the previous owner used.

[AdrianC]

It would be a good Idea to find out why your coolant is low,a leak in the rad or a leaking expansion tank cap,or something .
Also if you haven't replaced the fluid for sometime it might need replacing ..
Cheers dazz

Fluids not been replaced since I bought the van (September) and for who knows how long before that...

That's why I'm nervous about topping it up because I'm not sure what colour coolant the previous owner used.

Drop it all out by undoing one of the lowest cooling system hoses in the engine bay, and one of the radiator hoses, then refill it with plain water, run it up to temperature and bleed it all through, then drop it out again, and put a 50/50 mix of red coolant in, up to temp and bleed again. Then keep an eye on the levels, and look for any drips...

[CovKid]

Its a good excuse to blast all the sludge out of the cooling system as well. I also replenished with straight water but added a flushing agent to help stir up residue, took it for a run then once cool I drained and did the 50/50 mix.

[DevonMark]

Thanks all.

Again this is probably a very lame question but how do I bleed the system when I have the water in there?

[edoh]

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system

[edoh]

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system