hey there just a quick question???? coolant?

[vincie1979]

Just wondered what type of coolant to top up the level??? ive been told comma superlife red antifreeze is the one for me bongo Is this right???? many thanks!!!!!!

[MountainGoat]

That's what I have used on Northern Bongolows advice. Are you just topping up or replacing the coolant, there is a special way to bleed it to prevent air locks blowing the head.

Tony

[vincie1979]

just toping it up!! thanks for ur advice

[daveblueozzie]

Be careful you cannot mix coolants.

[mikexgough]

Be careful you cannot mix coolants.

good advice Dave..... although CarPlan Red can be mixed with all coolants BUT loses it's 5yr protection..... to get yourself out of trouble....and if your unaware of what coolant is in you Bongo.... use Prestone ready mixed.....
you can get in Wilkinsons....and it will mix with ALL coolants ....for one who had done extensive research on coolants like me....that is something to behold...a recommendation...
Seriously....it will mix with all coolants even Japanese ones.....this is THE universal coolant we have all been waiting for....

[al & chris]

Our garage says they are all the same now pink ,blue etc and mixing is not a problem like it was in the past.

[daveblueozzie]

Our garage says they are all the same now pink ,blue etc and mixing is not a problem like it was in the past.

The problems start when you mix the coolant with the original Jap stuff, its not compatible with any of the European coolants, what we have as red coolant they may have as green, but you cannot mix our green coolant with the Japanese green coolant.
If you know the coolant has been changed then OK ,if not ,its best to drop and refill with a good grade, like carplan red.
Have a look at the thread below, click on the link.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=43627

[mister munkey]

Our garage says they are all the same now pink ,blue etc and mixing is not a problem like it was in the past.

Your garage needs to be careful when banding about that statement.

It may well be true for European vehicles that have always had the same stuff flowing through their viens but they use a different chemical mix in Japan which doesn't like our stuff. Hence a common issue with fresh imports is when the two types meet (not flushed & bled - just topped up) and sludge up the system. Causing bolckages, overheating & head-aches.

I believe the stuff that Mike is pointing out is a rare compatible form that works with both . . . .



EDIT: Pipped by that blasted Dave again!

[mikexgough]

Very true Mr M......

The nearest we have chemically to Japanese coolant is Car Plan Premium Red and the Comma equivalent.....or the VAG/PSA purple G12++ coolants........unless you want to fork out for FL-22 green.

For a garage to claim that the coolants are "all the same" is a very bold statement and one I would not like to make, in fact I bet they are not aware that the FL22 that Mazda use now (the post 2006,Blue coloured) is also used by Ford and badged Motorcraft....

For many years Coolants or Antifreeze by it's UK name (we are always damn well different) have been different due to colour...... now in the main, aftermarket here still has Blue,Green and Red...... BUT Vehicle manufacturers today use different colours, especially the Japanese and the FL-22 Mazda factory coolant was Green and is now Blue..... but to mix them with OUR UK Green/Blue coolant = Sludge...
FL-22 is what your Bongo started off with .....and is silicate/phosphate free and OAT based and the common denotation for EU now is G12 BUT our Green/Blue Coolant are NOT the same and are EU G11..... mix the 2 and the chemical reaction is sludge...gelling...then overheating etc...

Now Japanese car makers have their own Coolants, interestingly it tends to made by one manufacturer but dyed to makers requirements.....so that is why we get yellw/green/red/blue etc.... and with British ignorance.....we "splash" in the corresponding colour....many times with the consequences I have described......

You can mix Premium red or any G12+ coolant and it must have the + with any coolant but the Long life properties are negated ......my advise....is that of you are unaware of what coolant is in your Bongo....either change it for fresh ( best option) or top up with plain water or the Yellow Prestone from my previous post.......
The Prestone is a bit of a result for us but not a miracle by any means and easy to get hold of so especially good for winter top ups as is formulated/premixed to -37.....for me.... it's an okay solution but a decent full protection stop gap prior to a full coolant change.

PLEASE, PLEASE... don't ask for coolants at Halfords they do not have a clue what they are talking about and their "universal" is far from it......