6 replies to this topic

[bloke]

Hi there gang, I've been using blue antifreeze forever in the Mini's until the other day when my Min decided to pop it's water pump. It was on the plans to fit the aluminium radiator and silicone tubing I had bought at some point, so this was as good a time as any.

All the bits and bobs were finished off today and I was about to fill up with the blue stuff when I remember the bloke in the shop asking me if I had an aluminium cylinder head or not, I replied 'nope, it's just a Mini' he smiled and handed me some more of the blue stuff and off I went.

Now the thing is, now I've fitted the aluminium radiator, which antifreeze should I now use? Blue, red, green, Blue/Green. The manufacturers don't seem that clear on what damages what.

So, any suggestions would be very gratefully received, all the best, Bloke...

[Frisco]

Blue

[chrisj]

Red anti freeze is generally designed to protect the aluminium cylinder heads from corrosion so i would suggest this, car such as range rover V8's, ford duratec V6's should all use red anti freeze.

I would suggest red but read the label to make sure it is still ok for standard type engines (ie non alu cylinder heads) i've got a bottle in my car so i'll check tomorrow for.

[charliedurrant]

There is red or blue for aluminium. I have a range rover which takes 14 litres of damn coolant and had a panic as I had red when the book said blue. Either are fine in an aluminium radiator but they should not be mixed.

Flush out the system by removing the heater pipe from the cylinder head, warm up your garden hose and attach it to the Hester valve. Turn on the hose and flush the system. It is good to block the heater pipe and open up the rad and let water pour out the top....messy though. Repeat it many times until you are bored then you can use either coolant

Charlie

[Frisco]

Alloy heads have been on most things since the early 80s long before the red stuff came out.

Some red/pink G12 coolants corrode brass so be very carefull which one you choose if you go that way. Id still use blue though, Ive been using it in alloy rads for years without trouble

[bloke]

Smashing, thanks everybody. System was flushed as I wanted a clean start anyway and pretty much every pipe and tube has been replaced.

Will probably go with blue since I can't remember if there's any brass stuff in there.

P.s. glad I don't have a Range Rover Charlie All the best, Bloke...

[charliedurrant]

I'm glad I have one but I won't be when the electrisc start to play up - it was a rash purchase during the height of the financial crash - good value, but bad value, if you know what I mean!