Anti freeze in my van

[Keitai]

We've just had cold spell and honestly can't remember if I put antifreeze into header tank or not. It's warmer down here on south coast now 4 degrees or more but what do I check to see if any damage was caused? How much anti freeze pour on?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

We've just had cold spell and honestly can't remember if I put antifreeze into header tank or not. It's warmer down here on south coast now 4 degrees or more but what do I check to see if any damage was caused?

Don't worry, if it froze up, you will know for sure, but by then, it will be scrap.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Is this another wind up thread?

Andy

 

[flameport]

We've just had cold spell and honestly can't remember if I put antifreeze into header tank or not.

That isn't a thing that any vehicle owner does ever.

How much anti freeze pour on?

None.

The coolant in it will already contain antifreeze.
It might need replacing from time to time, but that involves draining all of what's in there out, disposing of it properly as hazardous waste and refilling the entire system with new.

If some person was foolish enough to remove all of it themselves and refilled it with tap water then it would have already failed, as the internals will start to rust immediately, that rust will block all of the internal pathways shortly after that, and then the engine will massively overheat and seize solid with a big bang, never to work again.

 

[Munroast]

one way to test, take a small sample out and leave it in your deep freeze overnight (prob -20c ), if it turns a bit slushy than that is fine

 

[Keitai]

That isn't a thing that any vehicle owner does ever.


None.

The coolant in it will already contain antifreeze.
It might need replacing from time to time, but that involves draining all of what's in there out, disposing of it properly as hazardous waste and refilling the entire system with new.

If some person was foolish enough to remove all of it themselves and refilled it with tap water then it would have already failed, as the internals will start to rust immediately, that rust will block all of the internal pathways shortly after that, and then the engine will massively overheat and seize solid with a big bang, never to work again.

Thxs. Appreciated.

I have topped up header tank with mineral water which I guess should've been distilled or with some anti freeze. Most of water was put in when garage changed the clutch lastcyear. Guess they put in right stuff.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Most of water was put in when garage changed the clutch lastcyear. Guess they put in right stuff.

If they put in antifreeze there's a good chance it will be listed on the invoice. Always best to check it's up to strength yourself though before each winter. You can buy a tester.

Prestone AF-1420 Antifreeze/Coolant Tester : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Prestone AF-1420 Antifreeze/Coolant Tester : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

www.google.com

Always best to remember, like oil, antifreeze is cheap. Engines are expensive!!

 

[Keitai]

That isn't a thing that any vehicle owner does ever.


None.

The coolant in it will already contain antifreeze.
It might need replacing from time to time, but that involves draining all of what's in there out, disposing of it properly as hazardous waste and refilling the entire system with new.

If some person was foolish enough to remove all of it themselves and refilled it with tap water then it would have already failed, as the internals will start to rust immediately, that rust will block all of the internal pathways shortly after that, and then the engine will massively overheat and seize solid with a big bang, never to work again.

You say put no antifreeze in but what happens if the water levelin header tank drops? I've actually added some mineral water to top it up, I guess I've messed up?

 

[jj4091]

I don't think that you will have diluted it enough to worry about it.

 

[flameport]

in but what happens if the water levelin header tank drops? I've actually added some mineral water to top it up, I guess I've messed up?

A top up with water once will not make any difference.

If that is dropping often, then either there is a leak or it's overheating and chugging boiling water out.
For either of those the problem must be fixed.

Normally, that tank would only need a tiny top up perhaps once a year.