8 replies to this topic

[chrisblackmagic]

Im getting a 1983 mini mayfair (thats been in the family for a while) back on the road and after 16 years we assume it needs some fresh antifreeze, does anybody know what antifreeze to use in a 1983 mini mayfair, 998cc?
thanks in advance
chris

[Simont]

theres two types of anti free .... red or blue. you need the pre 1998 which is blue

[jaydee]

Glycol ethilene (blue)

[chrisblackmagic]

ok cheers, shall order some of that then!

[bmcecosse]

No need to 'order' it -it's readily available.. But frankly -at the moment you don't need any. I would run with water at first - then drain and flush through to get rid of accumulated gunk. Worry about a/freeze when winter approaches.

[icklemini]

Blue antifreeze is fine - available from anywhere really...

Antifreeze also contains rust inhibitors, and as it reduces the surface tension of the water, helps transfer heat better...

So it is always recommended to run antifreeze in the cooling system - never 'just' water...

In your situation, where the car has been standing, it would be an idea to drain out what is in there.. flush it though to get the lumpy bits out, then fill up with a 'cooling system cleaner' added (available from your local motor factors - follow the instructions) - This will help to remove any scale and sludge, finally: drain, flush and refill with a 50/50 antifreeze & water mix...

[bmcecosse]

I'm not sure that ethylene glycol cools better than water.......there certainly are chemicals that can do that, just not ethylene glycol.....and really not necessary on a Mini unless very highly modified. I'm not suggesting you should run without antifreeze all the time - just for now I would run without and do a couple of good flushes......then add the a-f, certainly before winter comes back - so hopefully you have a couple of weeks.........

[surfblue63]

I use this stuff in mine as the shop is my nearest car parts place, there are other suppliers though.

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255224

Edited by surfblue63, 25 May 2012 - 10:51 PM.

[Simont]

i use that stuff to... because i work there and get the discount, but yeh, i reccomend it to our classic car customers...it does the job