Coolant

[audi321]

Hi all. I had a radiator problem so had to replace it and therefore lost all the coolant.

Do I have to add neat coolant or should it be diluted with water? If so, does it have to be distilled water or will tap water do?

It’s nothing spectacular just a 1.0l twingo for my son.

[trickywoo]

Lots of people have crazy opinions about coolant.

I think the easiest solution is to use the Prestone ready mixed which is widely available. Toolstation and screwfix stock it and I’ve got it at a good price from Tesco too.

[audi321]

Great thanks. I see Screwfix only do it in 1l bottles. How many litres does an average small engine take? I’m thinking 3-5? Does that sound about right?

[Krikkit]

audi321 said:

If so, does it have to be distilled water or will tap water do?

Tap water is fine, even the hardest water you can get is miles within the additive in coolant's ability to neutralise it

[audi321]

Ok thanks. So will 1l coolant and the rest tap water be ok?

[TwinKam]

'Ready mixed' means just that! ...don't dilute it!
I would advise you to use an online look-up eg Comma (Google comma oil look up) to find the correct neat coolant for your car, it will probably tell you the system capacity, but on a small engine 2 litres should be enough to give you the required strength once diluted with water.

[E-bmw]

When you look at the bottle READ IT & it will tell you.

Coolant is generally just that, ready to go coolant.

If not it will say CONCENTRATED on the bottle, this stuff wants mixing in the proportions that it says on the bottle.

[hellorent]

audi321 said:

Ok thanks. So will 1l coolant and the rest tap water be ok?

Yeah no probs with that, if you really want to be careful 1.5l and then top up with water.

PS Comma G48 is good stuff.

Edited by hellorent on Friday 13th September 08:54