Coolant Colour Matter? 1.8 VVT Petrol

[Happy Dave]

does it matter what colour the coolant is? Had my thermostat replaced two weeks and just went to check the levels today to make sure it hadn't come back airlocked or anything. It went in all nice an orange and is now a two tone mixture, like a separated orange and dark green.
No problems with heating or anything it just doesn't look right! Checked the oil dipstick and no oil loss or mayo substance evident

[macdad]

Sounds to me that someone has mixed the blue anti freeze with the red stuff,as you probably know it should be red only.

[Happy Dave]

is that bad then?

[mparks8590]

odd, coolant should be orange, this suggests contamination in some way... or have they topped up with another coolant?

either way Vx coolant is only £3.50 a bottle so i'd drain and replace the lot and see what happens next.

[macdad]

is that bad then?

If that is the case then it depends on what ratio it is mixed with the Blue stuff,they (vaux) recommend Red cus its safe to use with all metals.

[Happy Dave]

yeah it wasn't a VX Dealer that did it, the guy said it was 'stronger'

[macdad]

Thing is mate if you mix red with blue you get green dont cha...the guy could be saving himself some brass by mixing up what he had left to top it up ,do you see what i mean.

[Happy Dave]

I think that's what he did, he only charged me £10 to fit the thermostat so he'd have cut all the corners! Does it need flushing then or will it be OK?
I haven't a clue btw way so it will be going to a garage if needed!

[ChrisBilly]

I'd definately flush it and refill with the Vaux longlife orange stuff. I've seen pics on here of what can happen when different types of coolants are mixed and its not good, flush it asap IMO.

[mparks8590]

Vx would only use the orange stuff as thats what they get.

in that case, take it back and demand the refill with the proper stuff.

I can't believe they'd only charge £10 for fitting themostat.

are you sure this was done above board?