Which coolant with a new aluminium rad

[Bits]

Hi
Which coolant is required please now I have a new aluminium radiator.
S4 Elan with a standard twin cam engine.

[lotusfan]

The answer is Bluecol U Universal.

It's a bit of a worrying question given that you have a standard twin cam engine with an aluminium cylinder head, which anti freeze have you been using before you changed the radiator?

[Bits]

The engine has been totally overhauled and is as new as the Aluminium rad.

[JonB]

I think the answer is “any normal antifreeze solution will do”. There’s no special requirement that I know of when fitting aluminium radiators.

[alanr]

I think the answer is “any normal antifreeze solution will do”. There’s no special requirement that I know of when fitting aluminium radiators.

Depends on what you call 'normal'?
I would not use a modern OAT based Antifreeze in the engine/radiator in your twincam. The additives in OAT type antifreeze used in modern day vehicles is not suitable.
You need to use a traditional Ethylene Glycol based Antifreeze of which Buecol U Universal antifreeze has usually been the antifreeze of choice in the UK for our engines but there are others similar if you shop around.

Alan.

[2cams70]

"Universal" in my mind usually means can do the job but compromised and not the best tool for the application. Like using an adjustable spanner instead of one of the correct size. Is it any better or worse than traditional Ethylene Gylcol based solutions? It may have an advantage as a top up fluid if you don't know what type of coolant is already in the system but is it really any better when you are doing a complete coolant change? Bluecol U seems to be something other than a traditional anti-freeze.

[alanr]

I was just trying to get over the point that the OP needs a traditional IAT antifreeze which needs to be changed every couple of years is best for our cars.
Inorganic coolant (IAT) works better with the metals used in older engines.
A modern day 'normal' OAT based antifreeze is not suitable

Alan

[rgh0]

The modern OAT antifreeze is not suitable for the best protection of copper and solder in the original radiators. The older IAT antifree provides better protection but if using a modern Aluminium radiator I see no reason not to use an OAT based coolant if you wanted to.

cheers
Rohan

[2cams70]

Yes but these "universal" coolants can be mixed with both IAT and OAT with supposedly no compatibility problems. Surely there must be a trade off?

[Rob1n]

What about waterless coolant what are the thoughts on using that?

[smo17003]

What about waterless coolant what are the thoughts on using that?

A couple of previous discussions here:

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=45603

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=29293&start=

[Rob1n]

Thanks for the links really interesting. With Evans seems more questions than answers. My plus 2 is getting close to being back on the road, I have purchased some of the Evans so perhaps I will give it a go and see if I have any problems. I did have over heating while stood in traffic, but that was before the engine and rad rebuilds, lots of sludge removed from engine when stripped but we will see?
I am always astounded by the amount of and the quality of information available from all on this site.