topping up

[umbongocat]

My coolant level is on the low. I've just been to Halfords and bouth the blue bottle Anti-Freeze and Coolant.

Under direction for use it says drain and flush the cooling system with clean water... I'm obviously not doing that as I just want to top it up.

Not technically minded at all and know nothing about engines sorry to say

Is it ok to pour the 2 litre bottle in and then put 2 litres of water to fill to the "full" mark in the tank?

Thanks

Cat

[mikeonb4c]

My coolant level is on the low. I've just been to Halfords and bouth the blue bottle Anti-Freeze and Coolant.

Under direction for use it says drain and flush the cooling system with clean water... I'm obviously not doing that as I just want to top it up.

Not technically minded at all and know nothing about engines sorry to say

Is it ok to pour the 2 litre bottle in and then put 2 litres of water to fill to the "full" mark in the tank?

Thanks

Cat

I think I'd premix it 50/50 and then pour it in (then keep spare as spare if you get me) but otherwise, yes, it should be fine (unless one of the leading techies thinks otherwise).

Out of interest, has the coolant level dropped, or did you just happen to check and found it was on the 'Low' mark. I ask because the level rises significantly as the engine warms and maybe it was last topped up in warmer weather, and only just above the low mark. Mine needs a little top up now and again, for no obvious reason. Been like that 4 4 years

[umbongocat]

I think it has dropped a bit, but I've been told this is quite normal with the weather we've had. The reason I know is the alarm went off when starting her up yesterday. I think it probably was topped up just before we bought her in June.

You suggest mixing it before putting it in (i.e. put it in another bottle then the water) is this because you think the 2 litres of anti freeze and 2 litres of water (4 litres) will be too much or just for saving some?

Thanks Mike

[daveblueozzie]

the coolant (antifreeze) normally has to be diluted to about 50/50 mix , unless the stuff you bought is ready mixed, if ready mixed then you can pour straight into the expansion tank but only up to the full line not to the top of the tank.(as the name says expansion tank, you need to leave enough space for the coolant to expand)
The ideal is to use the same coolant as what is in the tank, not normally a good thing to mix different types of coolants.

[mikeonb4c]

I think it has dropped a bit, but I've been told this is quite normal with the weather we've had. The reason I know is the alarm went off when starting her up yesterday. I think it probably was topped up just before we bought her in June.

You suggest mixing it before putting it in (i.e. put it in another bottle then the water) is this because you think the 2 litres of anti freeze and 2 litres of water (4 litres) will be too much or just for saving some?

Thanks Mike

Yes, mine chirped as I did a right turn from cold t'other morning. Probably a bit low due to extreme cold (you'd never know except for the LCA - it'd just be 'normal'). Premixing is a minor point for small quantities (a little either way of 50/50 doesn't really matter), but if you don't premix then you have to guess how much is needed total and pour in half a/f then half water in order to keep to strict 50/50 mix. And its always a good idea to carry some premixed 50/50 with you in case the LCA goes off on a long journey due to a slow leak, and topping up will get you to destination. You never want coolant to go low on a Bongo or a major bleeding exercise will be required. Obviously, DO NOT remove header tank cap when hot (and/or certainly not without a protective glove and something like a towel to prevent hot spray and soak up any spillage)

[bigdaddycain]

As Dave says above, if you already have Halfords coolant in the bongo then you are fine to add a pre mix (or even neat) coolant of the same type in the bongo Umbongocat... IF however! (please pay close attention to this) You bought the bongo with the coolant it has in already,regardless of the colour, then it is NOT adviseable to add a euro spec coolant even if the colours DO match i'm afraid.

A very quick reason for the above is that the japanese (the bongo's domestic market) uses different colours of coolants for different types than we use here in the UK. You could unwittingly adding an incompatible coolant to the system, which can cause all manner of problems, including the coolant sludging up, and the chemical attributes of the different coolants could possibly react against each other. Most of the bongo's in the UK with overheating or coolant related issues problems stem originally from an incompatible coolant being added at some stage as a top up when they come over here to the UK.

If in any doubt of possibly mis-matching, i'd personally risk adding just plain water to the system, but strictly on a very temporary basis! You run the risk of the system freezing that way (as the anti freeze has been diluted) But i'd say that's a better bet than risking incompatibility.

[umbongocat]

Thanks for that.. The place I bought it from over here have said they use the blue coolant and have topped up using that so I guess it's the blue stuff. Can't find that pre-mixed as Halford only seem to do the non- pre mix so I'll mix it myself and be careful not to go over the full line.

I'm that they realised that over in Japan the coolants are different and went with what was the nearest match when they imported etc..

Thanks for the advise.. I'll do it tomorrow now as it's got a bit dark now

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks for that.. The place I bought it from over here have said they use the blue coolant and have topped up using that so I guess it's the blue stuff. Can't find that pre-mixed as Halford only seem to do the non- pre mix so I'll mix it myself and be careful not to go over the full line.

I'm that they realised that over in Japan the coolants are different and went with what was the nearest match when they imported etc..

Thanks for the advise.. I'll do it tomorrow now as it's got a bit dark now

I use the blue stuff too, with no probs. Probably just std. ethylene glycol - safest and best IMHO