Is Coolant generic?

Richard10002

Richard10002

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Need to top up or change the coolant... Volvo MD22L... 8 Litres capacity.an I just go and buy 4 litres of anti-freeze to mix with 4l of water, or do I need a specific type of anti freeze.

Do all anti freezes have corrosion inhibitor.


If it's not all the same, what should I look for on the bottle or ask for... I'm buying in Portugal so most of the labels will likely be Portuguese.

Many Thanks

Richard
 
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definitely differences between the green one and the red/orange one but not hugely between any 2 red or green ones as far as I have seen.

sorry if this isn't techinical enough!

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Definitely not technical enough <g>

I wonder what the differences are, and whether I need red or green?

I saw a post during my search where someone with an MD22L said their coolant was still green.... which would suggest green???
 
I'm no expert, but I can Google:

Many modern cars now come filled with organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze (such as Dex-Cool, which is red), which claims an extended service life of five years. Although these still contain glycol, OAT solutions may not be compatible with conventional inorganic-based coolants containing glycol (e.g., with silicates, borates, phosphates) and, if changing from one type to the other, the cooling system must be thoroughly flushed with clean water. Typically OAT antifreeze contains a red or pink dye to differentiate it from the conventional inorganic coolants (blue or green). Some of the newer technology OAT coolants claim to be compatible with all types of OAT and inorganic-based coolants; these are typically green or yellow in color.

Which seems to suggest red or green is OK, but usually not a mix of the two. All contain corrosion inhibitors.

Check out also: http://autorepair.about.com/cs/productreviews/l/aa052601a.htm
and: http://www.aa1car.com/library/2005/us90554.htm
 
Hi Richard,

We had green coolant in our MD22L when we bought the boat but I changed it last winter as I was unsure of its age. Browsing the anti-freeze stand at Halfords I ended up with their own-brand 'premium grade' antifreeze, 'compatible with all engine types'. Turns out it's orange but it's been there since last October - 5 months out of the water, 7 months in - and nothing's gone wrong yet! I'll await some expert on anti-freeze chemistry to come back and tell me how my engine is now slowly dissolving but so far all seems well!
 
Colin,

siphoned some off and it's green, so I'm off to find some compatible green anti-freeze in Portuguese!

In fainess, the people at the yard speak English, so I should be OK.

Thanks for the info, and nice to know it relates to the same engine.
 
The only possible problem is if you have an aluminium head/or block, but as your engine was built before they discovered aluminium, you will be OK.
Probably the best place to buy it is a motorists shop similar to Halfords, but what is that in Portugese?
 
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Probably the best place to buy it is a motorists shop similar to Halfords, but what is that in Portugese?

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No idea and it would be a load of hassle to find one and, without a car, more hassle to get there.

Anyway... walked to the boatyard in the rain and bought "Volvo Penta Coolant", and it's green!!

Paid through thye nose for it, (51 euros for 5l), but my engine oil was free and my filters average about £3 each, so what goes around comes around. They had another type but that was 50 euros.

Thanks to everyone for the help... tonights jobs are draining and filling with coolant, and ditto engine oil.
 
Richard, I bought some in Portugal when I winterised our boat recently. A hypermarket in Cascais stocked the green stuff ( Redex) , don't know about Lagos, but maybe Sopromar can help. If buying outside take a look at the label, you can end up buying stuff that is already diluted, but it usually gives the proportions in big letters i.e. 25%.
 
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Bet you will find regular antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor in a big Pingo Dolce (aka supermarket).

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MMM! theres a medium sized Pingo not a hundred yards from where I'm moored, and I know they sell engine oil... going for some milk and butter in a bit, so I'll see how much I could have saved <grump>
 
FWIW. I asked my local freindly mechanic if there was a way of telling if your antifreeze needed changing. He said.... well.... there are measuring devices about... but if I was you, do it the old way ...and taste it !!!!
Just dip your finger in and taste. If it's sweet tasting.. then all's well.
So I tried it. It was sweet at first.. then Bitter as all H*LL. Don't precisely know if this means it's OK or not.
Guess I'm no wiser /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
If it is blue/green refill with blue/green. If red/orange refill with red / orange. blue/green is glycol based and red / orange is synthetic used for extended service intervals. There used to be red ethylene antifreeze but I have not seen this for a few years. Use green or red but do not mix them.
 
Cliff,

one of the web pages posted early in the thread said that Anti Freeze has one of the bitterest substances known to man added to it to stop kids and pets drinking it. (cant remember what the substance is)... so it seems that it is supposed to taste bitter??
 
Well I've now got nice bright green coolant in the engine, where it was a dull green before, and nice clear oil where it was a bit black before.

Thanks to all for the help.
 
Hi Richard

Quite a post you started here...

Your engine
(this one) is a Perkins engine, the same one that is in my LDV (200 city) van, it's a basic animal that can take loads of abuse. I just get the cheepest anti freeze I can find, about £2/litre, OK I don't have a heat exchanger but its been OK for the past 5 years. LDV or Perkins might be a cheeper supplier of spare parts for your engine too.
 
David,

Thanks for that..... I knew that 51 euros was a lot for anti freeze, but it was one of those things I wanted there and then, so I coughed up.

I know it as a Montego Diesel and have got spare belts and filters for same...... much cheaper than Volvo as you say.
 
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