Anti-freeze an alternative to VP

DavidJ

DavidJ

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I know £35 for 5 litres won't break the bank but for me in Spain it would be more convenient to just pick up from Carrefore.
After 13 years I'm doing a coolent change!!
I'm faced with a choice of colours and car types but Is there something (like oils and VDS) that can help make the right choice for my KAD43.
 
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If your system has any copper or brass in it (eg in one of the coolers) you should use the standard blue stuff.

IAT (inorganic acid technology (I think)) coolants, i.e. the pink stuff is for systems with aluminium and plastic radiators.

Alternatively, just replace with the same as is in there at the moment. Better still, RTM (refer to manual!).
 
Ian MacAulay said:
In my Ad41's I use just normal blue one, normally around £40 for 20 litres of concentrate
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Did some research on the colour subject a week ago as I wanted to fill the motor (raw water side) of my 4.3mpi Merc over the winter while layed up....
Maybe a little different for the fresh water side but I was told by many to use the Pink/red only as the blue is harsh on rubber....i.e the impellor...
So...debate i guess?
 
Color is not a unique identifier of coolant type so make sure you check the label.

Change intervals vary from 2-3 to5 years so total actual cost may vary.
 
I have also been researching this. My conclusion is to stick with Volvo as there are a number of materials that aren't found together often so Volvo coolant is made to manage that.

Volspec was £170 for 60 litres pre mixed plus postage. Not bad for piece of mind. IMHO of course.
 
FARSCO said:
I have also been researching this. My conclusion is to stick with Volvo as there are a number of materials that aren't found together often so Volvo coolant is made to manage that.

Volspec was £170 for 60 litres pre mixed plus postage. Not bad for piece of mind. IMHO of course.
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Must admit I'm inclined to agree. I only need 20 litres per engine so just over a hundred squid will do it.

Now being tight I'm thinking do I need 40% concentration in the Med. It will never get to -24C but I guess it's doing a bit more than frost protection....or is it?
 
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DavidJ said:
Must admit I'm inclined to agree. I only need 20 litres per engine so just over a hundred squid will do it.

Now being tight I'm thinking do I need 40% concentration in the Med. It will never get to -24C but I guess it's doing a bit more than frost protection....or is it?
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Its also a corrosion inhibitor which is probably more important than frost protection.
 
DavidJ said:
Must admit I'm inclined to agree. I only need 20 litres per engine so just over a hundred squid will do it.

Now being tight I'm thinking do I need 40% concentration in the Med. It will never get to -24C but I guess it's doing a bit more than frost protection....or is it?
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Yes, you do not need it for frost protection but you certainly need it for the corrosion protection addatives and the slightly higher boiling temperature.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Antifreeze doesn't just stop your coolant freezing!

It also stops corrosion, which would slowly build up and restrict flow in the water passages inside the head and block, which could cause localised hot spots or general overheating with expensive consequences.

All anti freeze types are corrosion inhibitors as well as reducing the freezing point.

The different stated lives of the various anti freeze types are the best indicators of the content, together with the colour.

Blue or green, stated as 2-3 year life is the one to use in engines with copper in the system.
Pink or orange, with 5 year life is IAT and generally not recommended for boat engines.
BUT check what your owner's manual says. OK it will say "always use Volvo type xyz" but it should give you a standard that it conforms to. All you have to do is match the standard with any proprietary brand and you've saved squillions.
 
RobWales said:
Did some research on the colour subject a week ago as I wanted to fill the motor (raw water side) of my 4.3mpi Merc over the winter while layed up....
Maybe a little different for the fresh water side but I was told by many to use the Pink/red only as the blue is harsh on rubber....i.e the impellor...
So...debate i guess?
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If the Blue one is harsh on your impeller, you're chucking in the wrong hole! The impeller should only be pumping raw water :-)
 
No Regrets said:
If the Blue one is harsh on your impeller, you're chucking in the wrong hole! The impeller should only be pumping raw water :-)
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Nobody likes a smartarse! :-)
If you read what I wrote, I've filled the raw water side of my 4.3mpi with antifreeze while the boat is out of the water....
Hence when doing this via the thermostat housing, you also fill the risers which than back flows down the water intake on the outdrive filling the impellor with antifreeze and protecting this area also.............
OK.......thank you.
 
Get the genuine Volvo stuff from a Volvo truck centre, take your own container with you and they fill it up from a big drum, I think I paid about £12 for 5 litres, same stuff, same part number, just much cheaper.
 
I take it that's not the green coolant? Mine need the green stuff and looking at the ref number from the invoice, it's pink/red.

Is that right?
 
FARSCO said:
I take it that's not the green coolant? Mine need the green stuff and looking at the ref number from the invoice, it's pink/red.

Is that right?
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Yes it's the green stuff, it's the same stuff, think it's trade price due to it coming from a big drum, some of the truck filters are the same as well but have a different part number due to them being Volvo and not Volvo Penta.
Its a case of because it's for a boat triple the price, same old story.
 
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