Coolant Question

[v8s4me]

I have a bottle of Halford's pink ready mixed anti-freeze & coolant which I use in my daily driver. It says on the front "Suitable for most vehicles manufactured after 1998". Is there any reason why I can't use it in my V8S?
Thanks in advance.

[Barry S1]

I think the blue is for are cars, only needs topping up once a year :-)

[Alan461]

They say not to mix colours because of different compositions so only use it if you already have red/pink.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=775...

Edited by Alan461 on Tuesday 24th June 19:18

[v8s4me]

That's what I thought and that's what I've always topped up with, but now I've drained the expansion tank what come out is pink!

[Alan461]

Chances are somebody has changed it over the years.
Changed mine last year from green to red,
mainly because the rest of the vehicles use it and I now only have to keep one lot for topping up.
Took ages to flush the block.

[themee]

Definitely Blue, Aluminium Engine!

[Deeman]

Yes I was going to go bloo after a flush. Motor factors are a bit short on numbers round here, but Camberley auto factors in Leatherhead do the blue stuff

[v8s4me]

themee said:

Definitely Blue, Aluminium Engine!

The blurb on the Halfords pink says "Especially recommended for use in aluminum engines". Mind you, on the front it says "Compatible with all colours of OAT coolants" but on the back it says "It is not advised to mix different engine coolants" so who knows?

(Yes, I know it should be "advisable" but that's what is on the label).

[Griffinr]

The Halfords red (pink) antifreeze is supposed to be better quality and lasts for 5 years as opposed to 2 for the blue stuff.

[chiefyo]

Pink, Blue and Green antifreeze are all usable but in different ways. Green and Blue are traditional and cheaper ethylene glycol based and can be mixed, and are good for a couple of years before needing changed. Pink is OAT organic acid technology if I remember that right. This is modern long life antifreeze , good for five years this cannot be mixed with the other two. Its all a bit like the choices between synthetic and mineral oils, pays your money and takes your choice but if going for a change between types flush the system out first.

[glenrobbo]

Mine is blue.

I think the pink is recommended if you have a Pringles tube expansion tank.
But make sure you give it a good flush, or it will all end up like Ovomaltine.