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Coolant Question

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  • 22-03-2008 11:12am
    #1
    timemachine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 90 ✭✭


    Hi folks, I have a question about coolant, can anybody help me. My car is low on coolant, its not over heating. I bought some coolant yesterday to put in, can I just pour this in, or does it need to be drained, as it says on the bottle, car should be drained with water. I asked people at work and they say they just poured coolant in to their cars, and no draining. My car is a a Lancer. Thanks


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    #2
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 39,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    You should be able to pour it into the rad/expansion tank until it reaches the max level.
    Is the coolant diluted or undiluted? if its undiluted then you will need to mix it with water.

    You will also need to keep an eye on your coolant and if it continues draining, then find out why!


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    #3
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    You can only put pre-mixed coolant straight in.

    Do not put tap water in your car!


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    #4
    timemachine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 90 ✭✭timemachine


    Yeah its pre mixed, thanks for that.


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    #5
    green123
    Registered Users Posts: 1,680 ✭✭✭green123


    JHMEG wrote: »
    You can only put pre-mixed coolant straight in.

    Do not put tap water in your car!

    why ?

    surely its ok to top with a little water ?


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    #6
    mickdw
    Registered Users Posts: 23,357 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    green123 wrote: »
    why ?

    surely its ok to top with a little water ?

    Yes but distilled or de-ionised water only.


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    #7
    green123
    Registered Users Posts: 1,680 ✭✭✭green123


    i have often used tap water and never noticed any problems.
    what problems could it cause ?


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    #8
    FuzzyWuzzyWazza
    Registered Users Posts: 906 ✭✭✭FuzzyWuzzyWazza


    green123 wrote: »
    i have often used tap water and never noticed any problems.
    what problems could it cause ?

    Same here, it not like I'm topping off a battery, why would I need to use DI water?


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    #9
    green123
    Registered Users Posts: 1,680 ✭✭✭green123


    anyone know ?


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    #10
    Big Nelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,613 ✭✭✭Big Nelly


    Brother old Audi is pissing out coolant so he just put in tap water when he is driving!!!


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    #11
    voxpop
    Registered Users Posts: 2,800 ✭✭✭voxpop


    I guess its down to the minerals that you get in tap water, which may have a corrosive effect - but antifreeze has anti-corrosive stuff in it, so it shouldnt make a difference in my book - unless they cancel each other out :eek:


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    #12
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 39,752 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    http://www.maxsafeantifreeze.com/faqs.html


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    #13
    blackbox
    Registered Users Posts: 4,321 ✭✭✭blackbox


    green123 wrote: »
    i have often used tap water and never noticed any problems.
    what problems could it cause ?

    Better to use de-mineralised water to be sure, but it probably depends on where you live. If you live in a hard water area (i.e. if you get limescale on your kettle element) do NOT put tap water in your radiator. Limescale will block water passages.

    If you live in an area with acidic water this could cause corrosion, but will mostly be inhibited by good quality anti-freeze.


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