coolant advice....

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lymmranger

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Good afternoon boys n girls

Car is a 1.9tdi golf mark 5 (2008) (travelled over 200k miles)

This vehicle is under my care but not owned by me. It travels huge mileages on an extremely tight budget

It has the usual Golf minor coolant leak which ideally requires a new radiator

......this is unlikely to happen, and drivers have just been topping up the expansion tank with water - It does about 5k miles to an expansion tank full (to the max level)

Therefore it is unlikely to have any antifreeze in the system and winter is here

I have been authorised to rectify this as cheaply as possible. I intend to top up with neat antifreeze until at least 2 litres have been added ( this will take about a month) then I intend to add a leakfix product in it. I intend to use the cheapest "pink" antifreeze I can source

Any of your comments would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
 
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I think I'd be doing exactly the same as you.....we all know its best not to mix antifreeze solutions or indeed add leak inhibitors, but after 200k miles why worry!
One expansion bottle full every 5k is very slight for a rad leak.....maybe you could add just enough inhibitor to stop it, rather than a full dose? I'd add it straight away, I think.
Give them some ready mixed coolant to top it up with as required.
Surely the car deserves a replacement rad, after all that service!
John :)
 
Thanks John

......you have set my mind at rest there!

I was just told to put leakfix in it
.......but I decided to get antifreeze in first!!!
 
When I was looking into mixtures, I was surprised to learn that pure antifreeze freezes at warmer temperatures than the correct mixture.
 
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I recall that the optimum freezing point of glycol is when its at a 70% mix with water, but after that its freezing point does rise up to around 20deg C at 100%. At very high concentrations it is more difficult to pump and suffers more cavitation.
Haven't a clue if this is fact though!
John :)
 
So has the car been topped up with tap water or de-ionised?
If tap water I'd suggest that you need to do a drain and flush - including the heater loop.
Then refill with a premixed coolant* with leak preventer added. once it has sealed then add more of the premixed coolant (to the minimum level) and then check the strenght after a weeks use. Correct as necessary.
Link

* Premixed coolant - Antifreeze containing inhibitors mixed with de-ionised water.
Tap water contains conducting salts which the mix of metals in the coolant loop will cause 'rot' and hence leaks or worse.
 
wgt52 said:
So has the car been topped up with tap water or de-ionised?
If tap water I'd suggest that you need to do a drain and flush - including the heater loop.
Then refill with a premixed coolant* with leak preventer added. once it has sealed then add more of the premixed coolant (to the minimum level) and then check the strenght after a weeks use. Correct as necessary.
Link

* Premixed coolant - Antifreeze containing inhibitors mixed with de-ionised water.
Tap water contains conducting salts which the mix of metals in the coolant loop will cause 'rot' and hence leaks or worse.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply....

HOWEVER - please read post one!
 
I did.
My recommendation is based on your statement about high milages and the need for reliability...
 
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