Anti freeze

**prm** · 2nd August 2006, 11:33

Hi, I noticed my coolant needed topping up and poured some anti freeze in that i had in the garage ( vx stuff ) but as it went in it was blue, s**t, only about a cupful went in, so i shot up to the dealers got the right stuff ( pink ) emptied the header tank and filled with good stuff, will the blue mixing with the pink do any damage? Ta

**ed taylor** · 2nd August 2006, 11:45

I wouldn,t have thought so, not with the little amount you put in.I can not remember what the difference in the colours means, one may be long life but I am not sure, I dare say someone will put us right.

**prm** · 2nd August 2006, 12:33

They also told me you dont mix it with water anymore, just pour it straight in, is that right?

**ed taylor** · 2nd August 2006, 12:39

If you do not mix it with water the strenght will go up, so next time it is low put some water on its own to keep the correct balence, I quite often just put the antifreeze in on it,s own.On my wifes Vectra B I change the antifreeze in that every three years, I must find out the interval for my Vectra C.
ps I wonder if the antifreeze is now "ready mixed" that may be why they say you don,t need to mix it with water. some one may be able to enlighten us on that one as I have not heard that before.

**prm** · 2nd August 2006, 13:04

Cheers Ed.

**Gsi3.2** · 2nd August 2006, 17:30

mixing the two will not cause damage..so draining the header tank and re-filling like you did will be fine..the concentration of the blue will be minimal..

When i obtained the red longlife coolant for spikey it came un-diluted from VX...50:50 mix with water for max protection..

**Marc 100** · 2nd August 2006, 18:02

I've got some GM branded pink antifreeze from a main dealer - it's ready mixed so no need to dilute.

It's better, if more pricey, that way because one MB specialist I used to use for a Merc I had years ago reckoned it was the tap water mixed with concentrated Antifreeze that rotted out radiators.

However, it does mean you have to buy the stuff from a main dealer to keep the correct Antifreeze in your engine when topping up and you can't share the same bottle between vehicles of different makes

**prm** · 3rd August 2006, 10:01

Marc100, it only cost £2.70 a litre, and he said you can use it in anything

**Big Davie** · 3rd August 2006, 10:44

£2.70 you cant beat that price..........

**Marc 100** · 3rd August 2006, 21:24

You're probably right but personally I'd still be wary about putting it in SWMBO's Toyota just in case the formulation is different.

GM ready mixed is more expensive than Holts concentrate from a motor factors though.