Coolant Help?!

[Havok316]

Driving to work this morning and my temp light kept beeping and flashing constantly so I checked the level it was a fraction below the minimum so I pulled into proper job (nearest place) and bought some Holts Anti-Freeze & Summer Coolant Methanol Free only to find out the colours were different. The Holts was blue and what ever is in the car is orange/pinky colour. I only put a small drop it to raise it above the min level but is it ok to use this stuff?

 

[lc_allan]

Not sure, I've heard different things about mixing coolant but I did it in my old Corsa and never had a problem. Not to say it's the same for all cars. I'd go the dealers and try and get some OE coolant. Shouldn't be too expensive.

 

[skahigh]

If you search there is alot of info on coolant. The stuff you need is G12 coolant (pink) and should be mixed 50/50 (i think) with distilled water. You can get this from loads of places including halfords.

They do it in concentrate and pre mixed bottles and although they dont say G12 compliant (as this is a vag standard), look for TL774D compliant as from googling it appears to represent the same standard.

 

[andycupra]

pink stuff is 5 years,
blue 2 years,

and apparently there is some some stuff that purple now.

all the advice ive had is not to mix pink and blue, and im sure the labels say not to mix.
but read the labels, newer coolants have been known to be cross compatable.

Do you know if the levels have dropped? otherwise it may be that the sensor has started to play up. (common fault).

In hindsight you should have just topped it up with water if it was just a little low.

If you do decide to change the coolant, there is a drain plug/knob that comes off the bottom of the radiator on the nearside. You may be able to get to it by removing the undertray only and not the bumper...
you dont even need a tool to drain the coolant, just turn the knob!
If you want do a proper change then put the heating on also so the heater matrix coolant gets changed also.

 

[Havok316]

Kool thanks guys will give this a go later

 

[lukecupra2001]

wer abouts is the drain plug?ive had a quick look around but cant see it?there any pics anywhere?

 

[andycupra]

Its on the pipe that runs off the bottom nearside of the radiator towards the engine.
No tools required to open / close the drain plug, just turn the tap type thing which is about 8 inches from the radiator.

You will need to take off the undertray off the car and then the drain plug will be visable. (might be above the bottom edge of the front bumper, i cant remember exactly.

Will be between 4-5 litres in all. (if you set heater to hot then the coolant in this part of the system will also get drained).

Let is know how you get on and if my description was any use to you

 

[lukecupra2001]

i had a quick look about earlier but couldnt see.ill hav to jack it up and hav another look about.shoudnt take more than 5 litres though just so ino how much coolant to get

 

[andycupra]

you will find 5 litres is just right.

you would not see the drain plug without jacking it up and taking off the undertray.