Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

is there anything wrong with using undiluted blue antifreeze?

got a 5 litre bottle so wondering whether or not to bother with 50/50 distilled water?

Undiluted antifreeze is very viscous and like the various waterless coolants has a poor heat transfer coefficient. I would not use it undiluted

cheers
Rohan

thanks for advise, 50/50 with distilled it is.

any benefits of using redline water wetter?

David

Redline water wetter appears to improve the heat transfer coefficient of water enabling some increase in heat transfer from the engine to the coolant and from coolant to the radiator. If the cooling system is not overheating then no need for it. If the system is marginal in some conditions then it may help.

cheers
Rohan

I have always used the coolant i buy at a Renault garage "Type D" and don't mix any water with it. No problems.
Alan

That is already diluted Alan, I have yet to find concentrated anti-freeze here, all the ones I have found have been "ready to use".

Rohan, as always, is completely correct regarding heat transfer. if you are in the UK, I would recommend 33% AF rather than 50/50, given the need to get the heat out of an Elan engine. That's what we put in all our vehicles, Lotus or otherwise. Antifreeze has a tendency to find and exacerbate leaks, especially when concentrated, but it is allegedly good for preventing corrosion to aluminium.

Thanks for input.

Don't want any leaks or overheating so will take on board all advice.

David

Chancer wrote:That is already diluted Alan, I have yet to find concentrated anti-freeze here, all the ones I have found have been "ready to use".

+1 it is ready to use already mixed as marked on container.Not indicated % of mix
I don't know if it is mixed with demineralised or distilled water. Ethylene Glycol Type "D" which is not to be mixed with Type "C". Good for -20?C.
Alan

There seems to be a move toward coloured anti-freeze, I understand Red/Pink is favoured for systems with high percentage of Aluminium components.
Ron.

Don't mix and match though.

Either use red or blue.

The antifreeze I get from Halfords in the U.K. is neat & I mix it myself about 50-50 but all topping up during the year is with distilled water.

Surely when you top up you should use the same mix.
You could also measure the strength to see if water only or mixture for topping up.
Halfords Antifreeze tester ?1.99
Alan

richardcox_lotus wrote:Don't mix and match though.

Either use red or blue.

So is the difference more than mere dye ?
I ask because the wife's Fiesta has one colour, and what I already have a stock of is a different colour.

Ralph.

Yes, you're right in that a manufacturer can use any colour they like, but in general blue/green antifreeze is the old-fashioned type that used Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) to prevent corrosion. This required changing every two years. Orange coloured antifreeze uses Organic Acid Technology (OAT) and is "long life" requiring changing every five years. OAT is said to be unsuitable for classic cars as it attacks the lead solder in the radiators (at least original copper/brass ones). For this reason I've stuck to IAT in my classic cars, but loads of people seem to use OAT and report no problems...