pink or blue?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Tired now..but as its been a good day..

Dont mix different types..

Be aware that the pink stuff has a reputation for corroding alloy components..various legal cases ongoing in the states...

If you use the blue stuff change it at least every 2 years and dont mix with 'hard' water as again it lowers the ph and can corrode alloys..

Goodnight.
 
If you take a look at the link I put up at half past one this morning (0128 hours), fill in your car Reg and it will tell you what your car should have (according to them). Basically, the red stuff is OAT (organic acid - google it) which is higher and different spec the blue stuff and they should not be mixed even by a small amount. That's why, as was correctly said earlier, to give it a good flush if changing over.
 
For many years, since the demise of Methanol based antifreeze that was traditionally only added just before winter, blue/green or yellow Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) has been the mainstay of the coolant market. However Ford vehicles since 08/98 have been filled with coolant combining Monoethylene glycol with Organic Additive Technology (OAT) corrosion inhibitors.

There are important differences between standard MEG and MEG with OAT. It does not contain silicates, nitrates, nitrites, borates, phosphates or amines so that:
· Without silicates, silicate gel or "green goo" does not form.
· By eliminating phosphates, hard water scale is reduced.
· Without silicates, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites and borates, abrasive dissolved acids are greatly reduced thereby diminishing water pump seal failures.
· Without amines and nitrites, there is no potential formation of nitrosamines.
All of this results in a considerably longer life span, whilst providing improved protection of all cooling system metals, including aluminium. Benefits over conventional silicate based coolants are:
· Improved water pump life due to reduced water pump seal wear.
· Fewer abrasive dissolved solids.
· Reduced hard water scale.
· Virtually no deterioration of heat transfer capacity during service life.
· Excellent protection against high temperature and pitting corrosion.
· No silicate gel formation during storage or use.
· Effective long-term corrosion protection for aluminium, brass, cast iron, steel, solder and copper alloys.
· Long effective service life of up to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

The two types of coolant should not be mixed. Vehicles filled with MEG will have coolant coloured blue, green or yellow. MEG with OAT additives will have coolant coloured Orange (Ford) or red.
 
I too get the blue for free. My understanding was that the red was long life and the blue was not. ie the anti corrosion inhibitors in it don't last as long.

I believe the red can last for around 5 years and the blue a year or two. So if that's the case and I get blue for free ( and I have a leak I'm trying to track down) I'm going to keep putting blue in till I find it and then just change it every year which should be well within the time to keep the anti corrosion stuff alive.

I have a V8 btw. If anybody thinks this is a bad idea please let me know :)

I am going to see if I can get any red for free anyway as if I can it will save the effort of changing it every year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

deangermouse
Loosing Water, what next?
Replies
5
Views
419
biketeacherdave
biketeacherdave
Mooky
Replacing thermostat
Replies
14
Views
563
Mooky
Mooky
stuu
P38A Brands advice/suggestions
Replies
4
Views
648
stuu
stuu
B
Which shocks?
Replies
14
Views
693
BigJessie
B
M
Pressure in coolant
Replies
2
Views
596
biketeacherdave
biketeacherdave
Back
Top